BBC Learning launches Terrific Scientific
Today BBC Learning, in partnership with Wellcome, launches Terrific Scientific, a bold and ambitious new campaign to inspire primary children to get excited about science.
Published: 17 November 2016
It is widely acknowledged that the UK is facing a STEM crisis. We want to change that – by turning our attention towards primary schools with the aim of inspiring a new generation to see science as ‘for them’.
Terrific Scientific is a major 18 month UK-wide campaign to bring practical science into the classroom and into our homes. Instead of lab coats and test tubes, the campaign will urge pupils, teachers and parents across the UK to grab lemons, leaves, tap water and other everyday items to join in with exciting and accessible mass-participation investigations.
Aimed at upper primary school level, Terrific Scientific will help deliver the objectives of the science curricula for 9-11 year olds across the UK.
Fewer than 15 percent of 10-14 year olds have aspirations to become a scientist and girls are even less likely to consider a science related career. By breaking down the traditional confines of science, and exposing children from a young age to the concept that science is all around us, the BBC along with a host of partners will support teachers to show that a career in science is open to everyone.
The campaign aims to make science as accessible as possible for children and will include a series of Live Lessons and bespoke films featuring famous faces including Fleur East, BFG star Ruby Barnhill, CBBC favourites and our Terrific Scientific Ambassador, Science and Wildlife Presenter, Liz Bonnin. These will bring science to life and encourage children and schools to get involved.
As part of the Terrific Scientific campaign for schools, BBC Learning is also launching Terrific Scientific At Home – aimed at encouraging children, siblings, parents and guardians to engage in science together. By exciting them about science, and demystifying any barriers to it, children and their families can recognise science as a viable academic and career choice.
Throughout the campaign, BBC Learning will provide a range of teaching resources online to support each investigation. In partnership with Wellcome we also will send every primary school in the country a box of materials to aid teachers in carrying out the investigations. In February 2017 we will be launching a unique interactive Terrific Scientific Map of the UK, enabling schools to upload their results from each of the scientific investigations and then compare and contrast their results with other schools across the country.
Using state-of-the art graphics and data-visualisation, the Terrific Scientific Map will help to create a sense of being part of a scientific community and ensure children develop their scientific enquiry skills – a key part of the science curriculum. In an innovative partnership; each investigation
will also feed into real research being conducted by some of the UK’s leading Universities, giving children a sense of purpose for their scientific enquiry. BBC Learning will also be working with a number of scientific institutions such as the Royal Societies for the Sciences.
Through Get Set, Team GB and Paralympics GB’s youth engagement programme, BBC is offering an amazing incentive to all classes taking part in Terrific Scientific. Simply take part in at least two of our investigations and upload your class findings to our map and your school will be in with a chance of receiving a very special visit from a member of Team GB or Paralympics GB.
Sinéad Rocks, Head of BBC Learning, says: "It is widely acknowledged that the UK is facing a STEM crisis. We want to change that – by turning our attention towards primary schools with the aim of inspiring a new generation to see science as ‘for them’.
"Terrific Scientific is very much a collaborative effort. As well as the Wellcome– we’ll be joined by more than 20 other partners to deliver this campaign – including academic and research institutions, learned societies and educational organisations.
"We want Terrific Scientific to be a game-changing initiative – one that reverses the decline in STEM participation."
Dr Hilary Leevers, Head of Education and Learning, Wellcome says: “We are proud to be part of a campaign that is bringing science to the forefront in primary schools. Terrific Scientific is a fantastic opportunity to get children inspired and excited about science.”
For more information and for teachers to register to take part, visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/terrificscientific
BC2
