The University of Manchester and Brian Cox inspire future scientists in Oldham
The goal was to focus attention on how young people from Oldham can have enhanced opportunities to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers in their town.
Professor Cox returned to his hometown of Oldham in July for a series of four inspirational 青瓜视频楪reat Horizons青瓜视频� events. These celebrated STEM education and highlighted the vital role teachers and industry play in shaping future opportunities for young people in Oldham. They were designed to raise the profile of science teachers and science learning, towards igniting ambition in the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. On Tuesday 1 July, Professor Cox took part in a celebration event for science teachers and leaders from across Oldham青瓜视频檚 schools. The event was coordinated by the Cranmer Trust and brought over 250 teachers together to identify how they can take science to a new level in their schools.
The following day, he engaged with primary school pupils in a 青瓜视频榯our of the galaxy青瓜视频� during special morning assemblies, promoting participation in the Great Science Share for Schools.
In the afternoon, Professor Cox met with business leaders, council representatives, and local influencers, working with Oldham青瓜视频檚 Economy Board青瓜视频檚 and Oldham Athletic Football club with the remit to lever local business engagement to actively support education and career pathways in STEM.
Later that evening, he hosted a Q&A session with secondary and college students at Oldham Sixth Form College, sharing insights and answering questions about science and space.
The University of Manchester provided leadership in coordinating and hosting the events, with special focus on the primary school event that involved Professor Cox having a whistle-stop tour of 4 primary schools in Oldham, working to ignite the curiosity of hundreds of pupils. Across the town other schools received VIP visits from the Oldham Lord Mayor, industry and charity professionals. These experiences provided opportunity to incentivise schools to become involved in the University青瓜视频檚 flagship campaign, the Great Science Share for Schools, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year. The campaign encourages young people to ask, investigate and share scientific questions, elevating the prominence of practical science in the classroom.
Professor Lynne Bianchi, FSE Vice Dean for Social Responsibility, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, and Director of SEERIH, said: 青瓜视频淭he two days were powerful in bringing the town青瓜视频檚 industry and education partners together. It青瓜视频檚 been a real place-based approach that is starting something that will have legacy beyond these launch events. The key now is to harness the energy that spued out of each event and identify key actions that can impact on young people in the short and longer term.青瓜视频�
It is, as always, wonderful to spend time in Oldham. The town is full of talent and energy; from the primary schools to the business leaders and, of course, the football club. Oldham was at the heart of the great transformations of the 19th and 20th Centuries, and it青瓜视频檚 exciting, and an honour, to be part of Oldham青瓜视频檚 21st Century renaissance.
Dave Benstead, Chairman of Oldham Enterprise Trust and Oldham青瓜视频檚 Economy Board, said: 青瓜视频淲e set out to optimise STEM-Industry-School-College partnerships which will lead to greater exposure of a variety of STEM career options, broaden student's perspectives and help them make more informed decisions as they progress through education. Our young people need a clearer understanding of the real-world problems that STEM related careers can address and Professor Brian Cox achieved this grabbing their interest and motivation as only he can.青瓜视频�
With acknowledgments to: Oldham Council, Oldham Enterprise Trust, Oldham Athletic Football Club, Cranmer Education Trust, Pinnacle Learning Trust and SEERIH (The University of Manchester).