A reminder that the deadline for your involvement with National Science and Engineering Week 2014 is fast approaching! If you would like more information on how you can get involved, please read on…

I’m really grateful to the many academic colleagues, researchers and students who gave up their time in March last year to make the most successful NSEW programme we’ve had to date – and I hope we can build upon this success for 2014. Full details of how you can get involved are below – and also a request for you to let us know what you’re doing in addition to our Science Extravaganza days!

National Science and Engineering Week 2014 (www.britishscienceassociation.org/years-nsew) will be taking place from 14 – 23 March 2014. Building on the success of last year, we will be hosting a 4-day programme of Science Extravaganza activity days for schools in the North-West, featuring a Science Fair, a Science Workshop delivered by WP Fellows and a Guest Lecture by a University of Manchester academic.

How you can get involved: We are looking for academics and/or research groups to get involved with our interactive Science Fair. You would be required in Sackville Street Great Hall on Tuesday 18, Wednesday 19, Thursday 20 and Friday 21 March 2014. We ask that although staffing of the stands can change; that the actual stands themselves do not change for the four days. We appreciate that it’s a big time commitment for those colleagues who can get involved; but it’s also a fantastic opportunity to communicate your research and passion for your subject to up to 900 young people who we are expecting over the week. The timeline is as follows:

  • Monday 17 March: Set Up Day
  • Tuesday 18 March: Science Fair for pupils in Y7 – Y9, 10am – 12:30pm
  • Wednesday 19 March: Science Fair for pupils in Y7 – Y9, 10am – 12:30pm & Science Fair for local primary schools, 12.30 – 2:30pm.
  • Thursday 20 March: Science Fair for pupils in Y7 – Y9, 10am – 12:30pm
  • Friday 21 March: Science Fair for pupils in Y7 – Y9, 10am – 12:30pm & Set down of stands from 12:30 onwards.

What we’re looking for: I will plan the logistics of the event and recruit attendees. We are looking for academics and/or research groups to coordinate a stand to showcase your research area and communicate it to young people. The main aim of this programme of activities is to enthuse and inspire young people about science, technology, engineering and maths and increase their desire to study it to A-level and beyond. This might take the form of table top games or activities to explain your research, perhaps some engaging demos or maybe some fantastic communicators, able to explain your research to a captive audience. However you choose to run your stand – the main requirement is enthusiasm!

How to express your interest: If you would like to take part in this event, please complete this Science_Fair_Expression_of_Interest_2014 (word) form and return to me by 24 January 2014.

Additional Events: I will also be advertising to schools details of additional events which are being run by University of Manchester colleagues as part of NSEW. Please let me know if you are planning any other events so I can assist you with promotion.

I do hope your school and/or research group is able to get involved with this event to help inspire the next generation of scientists, if you have any questions about this event – please do not hesitate to get in touch with me – email: emma.lewis@manchester.ac.uk or tel: 0161 275 2106

Posted by  Emma Lewis l UG Recruitment and Widening Participation Officer (Academic Enrichment STEM)