Catalyst launches project to encourage more diversity and inclusion in science
Catalyst is delighted to announce that they have been chosen as one of just 15 science centres and museums nationally who will be delivering initiatives as part of the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres and the Science Museum Group’s ‘Science Capital in Practice’ programme.
The programme is part of the Science Museum Group Academy, which focuses on embedding good practice informed by the latest science capital research, to enable children and adults from a more diverse range of backgrounds to participate in science-related experiences and feel that science ‘is for me’.
Science capital is a measure of our engagement or relationship with science and is made up of what you know about science, how you think about it, what science-related activities you do and the people you know who use and talk about science.
As one of the selected centres, Catalyst has created a range of science boxes that families can use at home to support science learning. Each science box is aimed at families with children under the age of 8 and contains equipment and instructions to carry out a number of different activities.
Launching the project, Lucinda Lewis, Education Manager said “Empowering adults to support their children in science, through resources and confidence, has been a long term ambition and I’m delighted that we can help our local community in these challenging times. These kits will give adults all the tools they need for strong science learning at home”.
Community Engagement Coordinator Jade French added “You might not think you are very knowledgeable about science, but you’d be really surprised! STEM is all around us and embedded in so many everyday activities from cooking, to playing, bath time and technology. Our mission is to inspire young children and widen participation with everyday science discovery. With the help of these science kits, we are supporting primary caregivers in young children’s lives to identity and explore STEM learning opportunities in the home, and in turn, hope to enthuse a life-long interest in science.”
Families living within a 3 mile radius of Catalyst are asked to complete the application form here and email it back to Lucinda at lucinda@catalyst.org.uk
If successful, the science kit will be delivered direct to the families by Catalyst staff.
