Science School: Going National
The Science Summer School now has a national reach with Summer School Programmes taking place in the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, where in 2020 2,500 children took part. In Skelmersdale in July 2021, and a second Science School took place in Rotherham in November 2021 at the Gulliver’s Theme Park. Science School Events are also to be delivered in November 2022 in Ballymena Northern Ireland and the Brooklands Museum in Surrey.
Our first North Star Science School took place over 3 days in Rotherham in December 2020 in partnership with South Yorkshire Housing Association. The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 provided invaluable support totalling £37,500 over 2 years for this project development and delivery. Over 2500 students from local schools joined via Zoom/Teams experiencing a virtual event delivered for the first time in an innovative television-style broadcast format.
A studio presenter linked content including a Keynote presentation by Professor Cox, online participatory activities for schools, and involvement by local engineering and tech companies based on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.
Highlights included the Chief Test Pilot and engineers from Rolls Royce reporting on their bid to build a motor to power the fastest electric car on the planet.
We also more recently worked with Work-wise to present the second North Star Science School on 24 November 2021. This was a live event at Gulliver’s Valley Theme Park Resort and the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Rotherham.
600 Year 8 and 9 (12-14 years) students attended from schools in Rotherham and Sheffield to hear a host of top speakers. They also took part in a variety of practical workshops presented by local companies and schools who have been working together in the months leading up to the event.
SCIENCE SUMMER SCHOOL NORTHERN IRELAND
Well North Enterprises is currently working with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to create Science Summer School Northern Ireland in Ballymena in 2022 connecting with an extensive programme of STEAM activities in schools running throughout the year.
SKELMERSDALE SCIENCE SCHOOL
Well North Enterprises worked with West Lancashire College and West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to present the first Skelmersdale Science School on 6 July 2021. The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 provided invaluable support totalling £37,500 over 2 years for this project development and delivery.
400 students from West Lancashire College and surrounding secondary schools attended this live event despite challenging lockdown restrictions. Professor Lord Robert Winston attended and met with sixth formers from the College.
The day ended with a special event to raise local business awareness in preparation for the 2022 project. ‘An Evening with Professor Brian Cox CBE and guests’ included a fascinating first meeting between Professor Cox and British astronaut, Major Tim Peake CMG.
SOUTHERN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING SCHOOL
Well North Enterprises has created a partnership with Brooklands Museum, near Weybridge, Surrey to present the Southern Science and Engineering School at this historic venue in 2022.
Brooklands led the way locally, nationally and internationally as the home of innovation in motor and aircraft design and engineering from the start of the 20th Century.
The Brooklands spirit of Innovation – Entrepreneurship – Endeavour still pervades the site. It is a living and working museum with connections to 21st Century companies including Mercedes and McLaren. Brooklands has a role to play in inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers connecting with Professor Cox’s ambition to “to make Britain the best place to do science and engineering”.
The event will be complemented by a year-round programme of activities in local schools inspiring and linking students with potential training and careers in science and engineering. The Federation Skills Trust has funded a teacher/ coordinator for Year 1 of the project. This post will have a clear focus on including young people from disadvantaged areas and those with special needs as part of a levelling up initiative. Initial education and health partners include The Bourne Education Trust and Ashford and St Peter’s NHS Foundation Trust.