58,000 children take part in Great Science Share for Schools
New Delhi: Tens of thousands of children come together next week to scientifically address the issues that matter to them most. On Tuesday they will even grill University and civic leaders on matters of climate crisis.
More than 58,000 children will take part in this year’s Great Science Share for Schools.
The national campaign led by The University of Manchester aims to inspire young people from across the UK and overseas to share their science learning with new audiences. Children and teachers from schools as far afield as Nigeria, India and Brazil, are getting involved alongside children from Great Ormond Street and Manchester Hospital Schools.
The Great Science Share for Schools’ UK flagship event will take place at The University of Manchester’s Whitworth Art Gallery on Tuesday, 18 June. This will see hundreds of children from 45 primary schools across Greater Manchester demonstrating their own science investigations to each other on campus.
The consequences of plastic pollution are at the forefront of the Manchester event, as Derby High School students share their findings through a specially choreographed dance, whilst other children from Park View Community School have considered what a non-plastic world might look like. This year it’s evident that children are concerned with the environment and how they can use science and engineering to improve lives.
Students will also be putting questions to Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell and Lord Mayor of Manchester Councillor Abid Latif Chohan about what current and aspiring scientists alike can help address some of the planets biggest problems.
The annual award-winning event has attracted major industry partners keen on encouraging the next generation of science and engineering superstars. Dr Geoff Mackey, BASF Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director, says: “We believe in the Great Science Share for Schools. For all our futures we have to collaborate and invest in these types of initiatives. We are proud to be working together with the University of Manchester and a wide range of partners on this campaign.”
Beyond the activities on campus, schools will be taking part in 450 satellite events. Now in its fourth year, after launching in 2016 as part of Manchester’s year as European City of Science, it was pioneered, and is run, by Dr Lynne Bianchi, Director of the University’s Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub (SEERIH).
She says: “Once again the Great Science Share for Schools has grown and it’s outstanding to see how such a simple concept can spread so wide. We are proud to be able to give children an opportunity where their scientific questions and interest are valued.
“In the busy world of schools, it’s never easy to do something extra but it’s evident that there is an appetite from teachers to let children take more control of their learning. This campaign supports the University’s core goal of social responsibility and we look towards it growing even further next year!”
Sue Bagguley, Head of Business Development, Siemens Digital Industries says, said: “Being part of the Great Science Share for Schools is something that we are proud to be involved in. It spotlights young people’s scientific questions and engineering innovations, something that Siemens really values. If we are to encourage more young people to make a difference to how we live in the future, we must invest in this type of campaign at an early age. We look forward to supporting The University of Manchester in developing the campaign from strength to strength.”