Come Alive with Science - National Science and Engineering Week 2009
During the National Science and Engineering week (6-15 March 2009), the Ignition* team saw 20 secondary schools take part in this years Come Alive with Science week, involving students, artists and scientists in the various schools who participated in this exciting Ignition* programme...…
Following a great deal of interest in the Come Alive with Science programme, which suggests that there is a clear recognition about the importance of encouraging young people to regard science as creative, 20 secondary schools from the East Midlands region were chosen to host the activities.
Activities varied in each school, but all had creativity and fun as a main focus. From engineering challenges at Henry Mellish School, to a Space Crisis at Ivanhoe College, each school created science-based educational activities for visiting primary children, from 80 schools in the region. The activities not only reached out to the children, but as Beverley Ashe, Head of Science at Ivanhoe college explains, "not only will our feeder primary pupils literally come alive with science, but so will their parents."
40 practitioners from all disciplines were involved, paired to a school by the Ignition* team. Each practitioner, from artist to engineer, considered themselves creative, and actively worked with both the teachers, and more directly, with the pupils, to help encourage the idea of STEM subjects creatively.
Across the region, over 5000 pupils were involved in the Come Alive with Science week, alongside teachers, practitioners and some parents. The Ignition* team is already planning next years Come Alive with Science week, and we will be looking to sign up 20 new schools for 2010 from September. Pictures and videos from 2009 Come Alive with Science week will be posted on the Ignition* media gallery in the very near future!
