Professor Dame Angela McLean, Government Chief Scientific Adviser, and the team at the Government Office for Science (GO Science) are developing a series of posters to engage and inspire pupils to explore science and technology and contribute to solving the biggest challenges of our time.
To facilitate the take up and engagement with schools, GO Science has appointed ASDC to leverage the network of regional science and discovery centres and museums. This new partnership highlights the opportunity ASDC provides to reach school pupils and teachers by working closely with the science education specialists within the science and discovery centres.
The posters, which are ready to display in schools as part of British Science Week 2025, will serve as a call to action highlighting the exciting developments in science while emphasising to pupils that there is always more to explore and achieve.
Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean said:
“The school outreach project is an exciting opportunity to prompt young people to think about important new ideas, how these will affect their lives, and how they can get involved in science and technology for the good of our collective future. I hope it helps to raise the next generation of enthusiastic scientists and engineers!”
The project is initially being run as a trial, working with two science centres to deliver posters to a small number of primary schools: Science Oxford and schools in Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire, and the National Space Centre and schools in Leicestershire and Nottingham.
Chief Executive of ASDC, Shaaron Leverment said "This poster aims to spark curiosity, imagination and aspiration. We're achieving this by working closely with regional science centres - through their trusted relationships with local schools and teachers, their understanding of regional diversity and close adherence to evidenced approaches to accessible and impactful STEM engagement."
The first topic will focus on emerging technologies, with a poster about humanoid robots designed specifically for pupils in years 5 and 6 (age 9 to 11), demonstrating their relevance and potential to help solve these exciting challenges in the future.
Rachael Tapping, Head of Communications at ASDC said “This is an excellent opportunity for ASDC to work with the GO Science team, providing a link between top level science advisors, teachers and pupils. Overseeing this project and leveraging expertise from science education specialists and their long-standing relationships with local schools is key to achieving the best outcomes for engagement and sustained learning. We will be evaluating feedback from the teachers and pupils who take part in the trial to inform the next phase of the project.”
As part of the project Angela Mclean and the GO Science team will be visiting Science Oxford to meet some of the teachers and pupils taking part in the trial, with a tour of the science centre including a STEM show and workshop in action, and tour of the Wood Centre for Innovation.
"Inspiring young people about emerging technologies and helping them see the real-world relevance of what they are learning in school is key as we seek to create the next generation of STEM talent to find pioneering solutions to global challenges. Finding creative ways to do this that foster curiosity and promote deeper thinking are paramount and it is wonderful to be collaborating on this goal with the Government Office for Science, the Association for Science and Discovery Centres and the National Space Centre. Expertise in encouraging the pursuit of science through education, engagement and innovation, lie at the heart of the work of The Oxford Trust and we look forward to welcoming Professor Dame Angela McLean and the GO Science team to the Science Oxford Centre in March."
Francesca MacLennan, Director of Science Education and Engagement, The Oxford Trust
“We are thrilled to be working with the Government Office for Science, the Association of Science and Discovery Centres and Science Oxford, alongside our expert teachers from across Leicestershire on this inspiring project. At the National Space Centre we believe that science is for everyone, and we strive to inspire the next generation of scientists by making science learning and exploration as accessible as possible. Our fantastic teacher's forum is critical in helping us to shape our curriculum and supporting pilot activities such as this project with GO Science to help bring relevant learning strategies and hands on experiences to students”.
Charlie Isham, Head of Education at the National Space Centre