One of the best annual events run by the Trust’s STEM education and engagement team, Science Oxford, is the Big Science Event. This year marked an exciting first: the Event, a much-loved programme that has been running since 2010 and encourages pupil-led scientific investigations, joined forces with the Great Science Share for Schools in its tenth anniversary year. This national initiative aims to inspire young people aged 5 to 14 years to ask curious questions, run scientific investigations and share their findings. Enthusiastic young scientists from 13 primary schools across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire came together at the Science Oxford Centre, which adjoins our Wood Centre for Innovation, on 17th June to showcase their scientific questions and investigations at the annual Big Science Event.
Curious questions
Demonstrating their abundant curiosity about the world around them, pupils shared and discussed how they found answers as a team to interesting scientific questions, including: Windmill Primary School’s “What surface does a woodlouse find it easiest to walk on?”; North Marston Primary School’s “Which suncream provides the best protection against the sun’s rays?” and Harriers Banbury Academy’s “How can we find out which materials are insulators or conductors?”.
Inspiring the next generation
Francesca MacLennan, The Oxford Trust’s Director of Science Education and Engagement said, “It is incredibly heartening to see so many primary-aged pupils deeply engaged in asking their own scientific questions, conducting investigations and then sharing their findings with others. This is at a time where UK STEM talent needs are ever rising, as we seek to find pioneering solutions to global challenges such as climate change, electrification, global health and embrace the new era of digital technologies and AI. Inspiring the next generation about science and engineering careers in these formative years and fostering curiosity is paramount.”
Investing in STEM education
The Oxford Trust’s education and engagement programmes are run are funded through its charitable business model. The Trust is proud that the income from its two innovation centres are reinvested into Science Oxford’s education and public engagement programmes, which aim to cultivate a positive attitude to science and lay the foundations of science learning.
There is a pressing need in our region to bridge the gap in science learning and opportunity, particularly from underrepresented communities. By providing accessible and engaging STEM education activities, we strive to ensure all young people in our region, regardless of background, have the opportunity to thrive in an increasingly science-driven world.
To find out more about Science Oxford, see here
