Discovering Daresbury Laboratory

According to Ofsted access to quality primary science elevates scientific aspirations and future learning. According to the Nuffield Foundation practical primary science shapes attitudes towards science and engagement for secondary school and beyond. With this in mind this project aims to:

-develop a well thought out piloted practical workshop to inform people about the science engineering and innovation at Daresbury Laboratory
-increase the number of people who are informed about the work carried out at Daresbury Laboratory
- focus on a Wonder audience in primary schools
- make sure that the young people feel positive about their own abilities and understanding about what is going on at Daresbury by using high quality practical science activities.
- provide support to teachers in practical science so they feel they can carry on or follow-up on the workshop
- provide support to Daresbury Laboratory staff to run public engagement activities through pilot science communication training sessions.

Communication and dissemination to people not involved directly in this project is important. Sphere Science will communicate with primary teachers and educators, Daresbury Laboratory staff and other STFC award holders.

-This project will produce a workshop, where activities can be run separately as well as a sequence, run in person or remotely. To accompany the workshop there will be a risk assessment, activity notes and follow-up notes. Daresbury staff can use the workshop and activities for their own public engagement. A pilot training session delivered by Sphere Science will include running the activities in a school. Daresbury Laboratory scientists and engineers will have access to a workshop kit and appropriate documentation. Sphere Science will be available via telephone or video conferencing to support their public engagement

-At regular STFC award holders meetings Sphere Science can share their experiences of the project.

-At the Association of Science Education annual meeting for science teachers and educators, Sphere Science can discuss how the workshop communicates complex science in a practical way with direct relevance to primary pupils.

-Sphere Science will submit articles to relevant journals about this project. Sphere Science is a regular contributor to Primary Science Review and last year was asked to contribute to the International Primary Science Journal, showcasing remote workshops including the STFC Spark Award funded Space for You KS2 workshop which we changed from in-person workshops to remote presentations. Sphere also attends National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement meetings and has presented a session about public engagement training.