Twelve years ago, I was thrilled to be appointed as an advisory teacher at CIEC Promoting Science, University of York.
Since then, through the Children Challenging Industry project, supported by Chemicals Northwest, I have engaged schools to work with the industrial community in as many ways as possible.
I have negotiated with many representatives from the chemical industry, including members of the CIA, IChemE and RSC. In the last couple of years alone, ambassadors I have trained have interacted with over 1,000 children in their own schools, demonstrating real-life applications of science. I have worked with over 10,000 primary-aged pupils and 3,000 primary teachers, carrying out exciting, practical, enquiry-driven science lessons set within industrial contexts and organising visits for them to a local chemical company to see first-hand how classroom science links to the real world.
More than 70 chemical and allied companies across the North-West of England have been recruited in order to increase the children’s motivation for science and increase their awareness of its relevance to their daily lives, the products they use, and the industry around them. To ensure that these visits are effective, hundreds of industrial personnel have been trained, thus giving them the confidence and knowledge to interact with young children about the work they do. I have also enabled 400 school governors and parents to extend their knowledge of the activities carried out with their children.
There have been so many memorable occasions throughout the years, such as welcoming Chinese and Norwegian visitors keen to see primary science in action or hosting annual celebrations for schools and industry; no two days have been the same. Gradually my role expanded. I found myself leading courses for teachers at the National Science Learning Centre, developing resources for teachers and industry, mentoring groups of primary schools hoping to achieve the prestigious Primary Science Quality Mark award, building links between primary schools, high schools and universities and training university ambassadors to support primary teachers in the classroom. I have enjoyed enthusing primary teachers to deliver practical investigations, hopefully to inspire young scientists to develop an interest in STEM subjects and a possible career in that field.
I am so very proud that my work and enthusiasm for bringing the excitement of science to young people has been recognised by the CIA in my recent award for Outstanding Contribution at the Chemical Industries Association Annual Awards Dinner on 21st June 2012.
Sue Andrews
