Science Aglow at the Darwin Centre

Over 130 pupils from Fenton Community Primary School, Lamphey Primary School, Johnston CP School and Mary Immaculate Catholic Primary School attended the event, bringing with them a science investigation to present to the Darwin team to develop their science communication skills.
The pupils took part in a carousel of STEM workshops, delivered by STEM Ambassadors:

Science Aglow at the Darwin Centre, Pembrokeshire College was an opportunity to showcase different STEM organisations working in the area and highlight potential career paths available. The focus of the day was Energy. The event provided primary pupils with an opportunity to work on a project of their own in school and present their work to a panel of advisors, participate in a carousel of workshops provided by STEM Ambassadors from local industry and attend a show. The Royal Institution presented a show ‘We’ve got the Power’ for pupils followed by CPD for teachers on science presentation skills and a Community Show for families from the local area

• Timothy Brew - Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum
• Magnus Harrold and Michelle Hitches – Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult
• Rebecca Laye - Royal Society of Chemistry Education Coordinator in Wales

All pupils presented their renewable energy investigation to a panel in order to highlight the work that had been carried out during the term in school.

The event for pupils concluded with an informative and fun show, ‘We’ve got the Power’ show from Usmaa Choudry, The Royal Institution - Science in Schools.
Samantha Williams, manager of the Dragon LNG Darwin Experience said: "Over 100 pupils took part in Science Aglow and we were blown away by the quality of their science investigations and their presenting skills.
"Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day and we are so grateful to all of these fantastic organisations for inspiring the next generation of scientists."
The schools’ event was followed by a Royal Institution CPD session for primary and secondary teachers.
Not everyone who teaches science has a background in science themselves. A CPD session with a professional presenter can help build skills and confidence to inspire children with practical science in engaging and simple ways. All of the attendees were encouraged to network and share good practice with each other.
The Community show – ‘Rockets’, again by the Royal Institution, ignited interest in science in people of all ages, through a mix of talks, demonstrations and interactive experiments.

The Science Aglow event was coordinated by See Science in association with the ASE and the Darwin Centre. Please get in touch with cerian.angharad@see-science.co.uk if your company would like to host a similar event to engage with schools in your area.

STEM Ambassadors at the National Eisteddfod

The National Eisteddfod 2023 was held in Boduan on the Llyn Peninsula from the 5th to the 12th of August. Many STEM Ambassadors were present throughout the week on various stalls engaging with visitors of all ages.This is from Dr Victoria Bradley of the Institute of Biomedical Science:
Held at a different location in Wales in the first week of August every year, the National Eisteddfod is the largest cultural festival in Europe and celebrates the culture and language of Wales. The Eisteddfod attracts 150,000 annual visitors over the week with many events and activities for the whole family. 

Although Wales may be well known as the Land of Song, the contribution of Welsh researchers to the scientific world is equally remarkable, and is becoming a growing part of the Eisteddfod. 

This year, the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) took the lead in hosting a stall in the Science and Technology village at the Eisteddfod.

Visitors took the opportunity to ask questions about the field, how samples are processed in laboratories, and the breadth of analysis that biomedical scientists can undertake. Many were particularly fascinated to find out how important laboratory test results are to any diagnostic process and to the provision of personalised medicine.
Our members were additionally able to discuss careers with school students across varying age groups. With A-level students, members highlighted the importance of IBMS Accredited biomedical science degrees and explained apprenticeship opportunities available in pathology as well. For younger children, members were able to utilise the new Welsh language version of our Superlab comics to engage children in science-related conversations.

 Another STEM Ambassador who was involved with a different stall shared this comment:
“The STEM activities were welcomed by all those I interacted with and our presence seemed to be greatly appreciated by the local community. 

One of the main benefits was reaching young people who would not normally have the opportunity to participate in STEM activities in this very rural area. Regularly children, notably a high proportion of girls aged 3 to 11, either dragged their parents or came alone to the stall so that they could take part. They were clearly keen on STEM and their successes with our activities both supported and reinforced their desire for STEM involvement in their lives. For many of these young people the event provided a rare opportunity for them to interact with STEM and the enthusiasm shown only highlighted the need to reach this demographic. On a personal level I found this very rewarding.”

Next year’s Eisteddfod will be held in Ynysangharad Park in Pontypridd and STEM Ambassadors will again make a valuable contribution to sharing STEM with Eisteddfod goers. If you would like to learn more about how you can take part, please get in touch with ambassadors@see-science.co.uk.

Women in Construction Event

Friday 7th July saw a Women in Construction event at Coleg Menai in Llangefni, where over 90 pupils from the local area were given an insight into the construction industry.

Throughout the day, the girls listened to keynote speakers who spoke about their role in the industry and took part in interactive activities delivered by a number of construction companies to inspire them to consider a career in the industry.

STEM Ambassadors Kasia Williamson and Kate Jones from Read Construction ran a myth buster activity – challenging the girls to question common misconceptions about the construction industry. It was a fantastic opportunity to engage with local students and show them that there is a place in construction for everyone, regardless of gender or background. 

It was rewarding to hear that many of the students that had not previously considered a career in the industry, were now thinking about construction as a future career.

In July the BSA shared the latest CREST impact report. You can download it here. The report found that CREST participation soared in 2021 and 2022. It reveals the types of schools that ran CREST, the gender ratio of students, and proven benefits of CREST for students and teachers.

CREST provides enrichment activities to inspire, engage and connect young people aged 5-19 across the UK with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

Through statistics and the voices of students, teachers and employers, the 2021/22 impact report explores how CREST:

• raised the STEM aspirations of more than 56,000 children and young people across the UK, with a focus on those most often underrepresented in science

• helped educators respond to the challenges of embedding hands-on practical learning in the science curriculum, against a backdrop of increased financial, time and resource pressures

• provided employers with unique opportunities to inspire tomorrow’s scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians.

The report demonstrates many of the ways CREST has helped young people, teachers and employers overcome barriers to STEM engagement in 2021/22.

• In the 2021/22 academic year, 50% of CREST participants were girls. With women accounting for just 27% of the UK’s STEM workforce, the scheme provided girls with opportunities they might not otherwise have to discover a passion for science and raise their STEM aspirations.

• Students who complete Silver CREST Awards are 21% more likely to study STEM subjects at AS Level, and that this rises to 38% for students eligible for free school meals.

STEM Ambassadors can get involved with CREST Awards by acting as mentors for projects or by using freely downloadable resources to run their own CREST activities in schools and community groups. For more information see the CREST Awards website crestawards.org or contact llinos.misra@see-science.co.uk

Wales Tech Week 2023. 16 - 18 October. International Convention Centre Wales, Newport.

Brought to you by Technology Connected, Wales Tech Week showcases Welsh technology, its ecosystem and champions the industry on the global stage.

It connects, promotes and develops Wales as a centre of expertise and opportunity for enabling and emerging technologies and their applications for today’s business and society.

After two years virtual, it’s now time to get physical. Wales Tech Week 2023 will be a hybrid, international Tech Summit bringing together the global tech community to connect, collaborate and do business.

Wales Tech Week is where Tech meets opportunity.  Details and registration here.

​Space for Everyone. 14 - 18 September. Queens Square, Wrexham

The UK Space Agency’s "Space for Everyone" rocket tour lands in Wrexham, at Queens Square, 14th September -  18th September! 

The event is a STEAM Outreach Programme with a mission to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in the UK space industry, particularly those from under-represented groups. No tickets required, just turn up! Event features include:

• A colossal 72 ft replica of the LauncherOne rocket 
• Virtual reality experiences
• Careers advice from local space professionals 
• Space-related activities

Group Tours - It is highly recommended to visit the event as a group and enjoy a personal tour of the event with one of our dedicated hosts. Minimum of 10 people per tour. To book a group tour timeslot email hello@ha-lo.co.uk with a preferred date/time. 

Details here.

Nickel: Past, present and future. Thursday 28 September, 9.30am–2.30pm. Vale’s Clydach Nickel Refinery, Swansea

A Royal Society of Chemistry/STEM Learning event for secondary science teachers, technicians, subject leaders and student teachers.

Join us to discover the role of chemistry in nickel refining and to explore Vale’s Clydach Nickel Refinery, The Mond.  During the day you will have the opportunity to tour the Mond, to learn about the importance of nickel, to discover how algae is helping to reduce industrial emissions, and to find out about some of careers that are available in this industry.

STEM Learning bursaries are available and lunch will be provided.

Details and booking here.

Spooky STEM-tacular activities! Thursday 5 October. 12.30 - 1.15pm. Online

If you are unable to join this session live, be sure to register on Eventbrite and you will receive a recording of the session.

Halloween is the perfect excuse for some Spooky STEM-tacular fun! 

Join us for some great activity ideas ideal for teachers to show at school before half term and pupils to try them at home on the big day, or for STEM Ambassadors to run a half-term session with a community group. All activities will use readily-available, low cost ingredients.

Register here.

CREST Discovery information session for teachers and STEM Ambassadors. Monday 23 October. 12.30 - 1.15pm. Online

If you are unable to join this session live, be sure to register on Eventbrite and you will receive a recording of the session.

Session repeated in Welsh Tuesday 24 October 12.30 - 1.15pm.

CREST Discovery Awards offer an introduction to real project work in STEM and give students aged 10 to 14yrs the freedom to run their own investigations. Perfect for the Curriculum for Wales! They can be completed in one day, or over a number of lessons or STEM Club sessions, with students working together in self-managed groups. At the end of the project every student earns a CREST Discovery Award and these are FREE in Wales.

During this session one of the downloadable CREST Discovery resources will be highlighted - Sustainable Solutions  - an activity where students are challenged to use digital tools and new technologies to tackle climate change in their local area.

CREST activities provide a great opportunity for STEM Ambassadors to engage with schools as they are all based on real-world challenges.

Register here for the English session.

Register here for the Welsh session.

Ready, steady, chemistry week is go – Welsh chemistry teacher network.  Tuesday 19 September, 4-5pm . Online

A Royal Society of Chemistry session for Secondary teachers.

Are you all ready for Chemistry week 2023? At this month’s Welsh chemistry teacher network meeting we will be sharing ideas that you can use to bring Chemistry week alive for your learners.  This year’s theme is Chemistry making the world a better place, and it is a wonderful way to showcase the important role that chemistry plays across all aspects of society. Although called Chemistry week, we are encouraging you to make November, Chemistry month! 

Details and booking here.