28 April 2014
Young people in Preston can look forward to exploring science and technology in a ground-breaking new facility, thanks to a partnership between UCLan and the Royal Institution (Ri) of Great Britain.
The two organisations are collaborating to establish a Young Scientist Centre (YSC) – the first of its kind outside of London - at UCLan’s Preston campus. Based on the hugely successful L’Oréal Young Scientist Centre (LYSC) in London, the Preston version will aim to get local young people exploring all aspects of science and technology outside of the classroom. The YSC will offer a unique experience within the region, benefiting primary, secondary schools and local community groups.
The workshops will become hands-on experiences that cover all the STEM disciplines (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and cater for a wide range of ages.
The Ri – perhaps most widely known for the CHRISTMAS LECTURES – is dedicated to furthering science education. As part of its activities, it has established the LYSC – where young people from 7-18 get to participate in hands-on science workshops.
“The role of the YSC is to promote interest, learning and creativity in core subjects, through imaginative and enjoyable experiences. In the first year, 3,000 young people will benefit from the interactive activities.”
Jo Heaton-Marriott, Public Engagement Manager, from UCLan said: “Every year there is a shortfall of 40,000 STEM graduates in the UK. At some point in their education, increasing numbers of students seem to be ‘turned off’ by STEM subjects. But as anyone who has ever worked in scientific or engineering careers can testify, there are few disciplines as continually rewarding as the sciences – and certainly none as vital to the continuing international competitiveness of the UK.
“At UCLan we are very focused on getting students excited about how science works, and how we can then use it to change lives. That supports the entire ethos underpinning the YSC – the earlier we can get young people engaged in the vast potential of studying STEM subjects, and the sooner they get excited by giving experiments a go, the better for all of us. Therefore the role of the YSC is to promote interest, learning and creativity in core subjects, through imaginative and enjoyable experiences. In the first year, 3,000 young people will benefit from the interactive activities .”
“We designed these imaginative experimental workshops because we want all children and young people to realise how much fun and how rewarding science can be, as well as how vital it is to our everyday lives.”
Dr Gail Cardew, Director of Science and Education at the Ri said: “For more than 215 years the Ri’s mission has been to encourage people to think more deeply about the wonders and applications of science, and our new partnership with the UCLan will play a key role in helping us achieve this mission in 2014 and beyond.
We designed these imaginative experimental workshops because we want all children and young people, wherever they live and whatever their background, to realise how much fun and how rewarding science can be, as well as how vital it is to our everyday lives.”
It will also build on some of UCLan’s recent public engagement work from the Lancashire Science Festival and its recent participation in Stargazing Live to promote STEM subjects across the region.
The Centre will open in October 2014 but it will also run some pilot workshops during summer with a local primary school English Martyrs, as well as secondary schools involved in UCLan’s Science Partnership activities. Some of the young people who will take part in the pilots have already been involved in a series of interviews to shape what activity at the centre will include.
UCLan has heavily invested in the centre already. Core funding to establish the YSC will come via the Higher Education Innovation Fund, which supports universities to promote their work in the wider community and to people outside of higher education.