A civil engineer has discovered that the firm she now works for is the same company that visited her primary school more than ten years ago and first ignited her interest in engineering.

Emilia Zalupska, a Civil Engineer at RJ McLeod, first developed a love of science and problem-solving at primary school when her teacher, Ms Sweeney, launched a STEM club.

To widen pupils' understanding of STEM and the careers it can lead to, the club took part in the Go Forth! challenge, run by The Scottish Council for Development and Industry, asking children to construct a suspension or cable-stayed bridge.

To help the pupils complete the task, Ms Sweeney invited engineering contractor RJ McLeod to speak to the class about the project, their experiences and routes into STEM. A talk delivered by civil engineer Jamie Russell and facilitated by then quantity surveyor Christina McKitrick inspired Emilia to deepen her interest in STEM.

Emilia pursued physics at school and went on to study engineering at university.

After two summer placements with the Scottish-headquartered civil engineering firm, Emilia accepted a full-time role at RJ McLeod – the same organisation that had inspired her years earlier. While working at OnPath Energy's Mill Rig Wind Farm, where RJ McLeod is the principal contractor, she realised the connection.

Emilia said: "I hadn't made the connection that the company I work for now was the same company that had visited my primary school all those years ago.

"It was only during the filming of a video at Mill Rig Wind Farm that I recognised Christina, who had been involved in facilitating the talks at the time.

"Once Christina and I connected the dots, it opened the door to reconnecting with Ms Sweeney. It's been great to see the teacher who helped me discover engineering and hopefully inspire her new pupils in the same way."

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Emilia later reunited with Ms Sweeney, now teaching at St Bartholomew's Primary School in Glasgow, to speak to pupils about her career and highlight the many pathways into the industry. She also reconnected with Jamie Russell, the civil engineer who delivered the original STEM talk.

More than a decade after first introducing Emilia to STEM, Ms Sweeney continues to champion science and engineering education, helping pupils build confidence, curiosity and problem-solving skills. Having introduced STEM classes at St Bartholomew's Primary School, she aims to offer more children the same opportunities that helped shape Emilia's career.

She said: "I love teaching, and although I don't come from a STEM background, being asked to develop a STEM programme in 2013 opened a whole new journey for me.

"Since then, I've been fortunate enough to win the Science Teacher of the Year Award and bring STEM Nation to my new school. But the awards aren't the important part. What matters most is what I've seen in the children – increased motivation, improved behaviour, greater confidence and a real sense that there is a big world of possibilities beyond the classroom.

"STEM gives children the chance to learn through practical activities, solve problems, take risks and discover things for themselves. Most importantly, it helps them thrive and encourages them to become independent, curious learners."

RJ McLeod has supported teachers across Scotland for more than forty years, helping primary pupils appreciate the importance of science, ingenuity and maths.

Christina McKitrick, CSR Manager at RJ McLeod, helped arrange the original STEM visit over a decade ago and continues to lead the company's educational outreach. She said: "Young people often have to make decisions about STEM subjects early in their secondary school education, and by the time they start thinking seriously about careers, it can be too late to pursue certain pathways.

"That's why we've always focused on introducing children to the opportunities available in engineering and construction while they're still at primary school, helping them understand where subjects like maths and science could take them.

"Seeing Emilia come full circle demonstrates the importance of inspiring children at a young age. Now she can speak from her own experience and show pupils what is possible with the same teacher she once had what can be possible."

The reunion came about through work at OnPath Energy's Mill Rig Wind Farm in South Lanarkshire. The six-turbine site is contributing to the UK's onshore wind targets while investing in surrounding communities.

Nicky Gallagher, People director for OnPath Energy, said: "Our investments into STEM subjects through community funding are crucial to creating Scotland's future innovators and supporting the growing renewables industry with new talent.

"Emilia's story is a perfect example of how our developments and our team can inspire future generations and deliver opportunities for the local community.

"It's especially encouraging to see how these early experiences can inspire young women like Emilia to pursue careers in engineering. By returning to the classroom and sharing her own experience, Emilia is helping young girls see what's possible and encouraging them to imagine themselves as the engineers and innovators of the future."