We The Curious launches programme to 'make science for everyone'
It's to mark their 25th birthday year
Thousands of children in Bristol are being offered free trips to We The Curious as part of a new drive to inspire young people.
The Future Sparks programme will give 25,000 primary and secondary pupils free visits by 2030, with a focus on schools where many families struggle to pay.
Bosses at the educational charity say they hope it will help make science accessible to everyone.
25 years of education
Over the past 25 years, We The Curious has seen 65,000 children a year visit the centre on school trips, and through its charity work has subsidised thousands of these visits from schools in Bristol’s most under-resourced areas, alongside taking science experiences into classrooms through its “out and about” projects.
With Future Sparks, its biggest-ever drive to support young people’s education in the city, We The Curious is pledging to provide 25,000 free places to children from primary and secondary schools in BS1-16 – including alternative provisions and special SEND schools - by 2030.
The free visits programme will include entry, a thrilling live science and/or planetarium show, as well as transport to and from the venue, and will primarily focus on schools which have 40% or more students on free school meals.
The free places will be offered primarily to year 3 and year 8 pupils, identified as pivotal transition stages for forming and nurturing interest in science.
Bosses add how, depending on where they grow up, children and young people may face additional barriers that can make it harder for them to progress into higher education as there is a lack of established pathways and resources.
The Future Sparks initiative has already had a boost to pilot the programme with the help of founding partner The John James Bristol Foundation, which has generously donated £150,000 to enable 6,600 primary school children to visit.
Findings from the pilot revealed that 100% of schools reported a positive impact on children’s learning and interest in science because of their visit to We The Curious.
Children have continued to talk about science at school, with interest in science as a subject increasing, showing that their visit to We The Curious made a lasting impression.
'There's still a lot of work to do'
We The Curious CEO Donna Speed said: “Every child deserves the chance to be curious, inspired and see a future in science.
“Bristol is a city full of talent and potential, but with some of the starkest educational inequalities in England, not every young person has the same chance to explore their creativity and curiosity.
"As we celebrate 25 years, we’re determined to deliver our most ambitious campaign yet: Free school trips to 25,000 children as part of our Future Sparks programme.
“Innovation in science thrives on diversity, and there’s still a lot of work to do breaking down barriers and taking positive action to make that a reality.
"A trip to We The Curious is a brilliant, hands-on day they’ll remember for a long time. Teachers and children tell us it’s fun way to build confidence, spark questions and show that science is for everyone and full of possibilities.”
Bridget Woodard, Fundraising and Development Manager at We The Curious, adds: “Science can solve our biggest challenges, but only if everyone can take part.
"Giving all children the chance to get curious and believe science is for them is for everyone’s benefit.
"We’re so grateful to all who have supported us over the past 25 years, from our members to our charitable donors, and we hope Bristol will now get behind Future Sparks in any way possible. Every Gift Aid, venue hire, or donation makes a difference.”