WIREDGOV

Inspiring the next generation of scientists in the North West is a challenge, one that has been made a little bit easier thanks to the donation of numerous pieces of experimental equipment by staff from the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC’s) Daresbury Laboratory to the Catalyst Discovery Centre in Cheshire.

The Innovations - Technology Access Centre (I-TAC) based at Daresbury Laboratory donated laboratory equipment to the Catalyst Centre in support of their wide ranging outreach activities. The Catalyst Science Discovery Centre is Daresbury Laboratory’s local Association for Science Discovery Centres (ASDC) partner, with both centres looking to find the best ways to excite young people with science.

“Catalyst are extremely grateful to STFC for their kind donation of glassware and experimental equipment,” said Phill Day, the Education Manager at Catalyst.

“The glassware in particular will be used in science investigation workshops allowing children to get hands on with appropriate chemicals in a safe environment and learn more about being a scientist and the role of chemistry in particular as a result. The increased volume of glassware will allow children more independence whilst completing their practical activities, and enhance their experience of chemistry at the Centre as a result.”

I-TAC Manager Martin Morlidge said:

“STFC place great importance on inspiring the next generation of scientists. If this donation can persuade a few more young people to consider a future research career in the sciences then it will be deemed a success. Our access day in July will offer a further opportunity for people to learn more about just what fantastic science they could get involved in.”

STFC and Catalyst are already working closely together on creating and delivering new outreach programmes; one such involves the use of the ASDC and STFC’s ‘Explore Your Universe’ kit. This project is a national initiative aiming to inform and excite students in science. With high quality equipment and almost unlimited possibilities for workshops and hands on activities, the kit has already been a huge hit with people of all ages all around the country.

If you’d like to find out more about the activities Catalyst offer and plan a visit to see it all first hand, you can visit their website.

To find out more about Daresbury Laboratory and the science it houses, come along to the 16+ access day on the 5th July.