Formed in 1982 in partnership with a number of companies in the Chemical Industry, to commemorate the centenary of the SCI, Catalyst’s mission is to make science accessible and exciting to people of all ages and abilities whilst preserving the heritage of an industry that has, for many years been at the forefront of science innovation and manufacturing in the UK.
Many of you reading this article are employed in science based industries, which means that at some stage you were enthused by science, enough to pursue a career within the sector. It is vitally important for the future of the chemical industry that young people of today are encouraged to study science subjects and Catalyst is actively fostering this.
As an independent charitable trust with an award-winning education programme, Catalyst welcomes over 26,000 visitors a year to its workshops and exhibition galleries. However with ever diminishing support from industry and no financial support from local or central government there is a very real danger that this unique centre will not survive.
There are ways you can help to preserve the heritage of the industry in the North West and inspire the young scientists of tomorrow at the same time:
- Join our Corporate Partnership Scheme – With different levels of membership, this is much more than having your name on our website. Our packages give you the opportunity to deliver your corporate responsibility strategy whilst supporting the local community and the education of young people.
- Visit during the school holidays with your family – Enthuse your own children about the wonders of science by taking part in our exciting hands-on workshops delivered by our enthusiastic education team. All admissions directly help to keep Catalyst alive!
- Take part in our annual Science at Work Week – An opportunity to exhibit, at zero cost, to promote your company and help engage school children with science and demonstrate its relevance to their every day lives as well as showing the diverse range of career options available within the sector. Science at Work Week in 2012 was sponsored by Pentagon Fine Chemicals and welcomed over 750 pupils and teachers from across the North West over the four days. Fiona Mochrie, a teacher from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School said “Thank you for the invite to Science at Work Week, it was really excellent – even better than last year! There were so many interactive activities and the people in the studios were so helpful, fun and enthusiastic. The students had a great time, thank you for organising such a great event.” If you’d like your company to be involved in 2013 then please don’t hesitate to book your place.
- Use Catalyst as a unique venue for meetings and corporate events – With a 50 seat theatre, a glass walled observation gallery and a selection of meeting rooms, Catalyst can offer something different for all types of events.
- Sponsor a school in your local community to visit Catalyst to take part in one of our curriculum linked workshops.
If you’d like to be involved in any of these activities, join our partnership scheme or would like to come to Catalyst to see what we do then please contact us, we’d love to show you around. For more information on any of the above, please email Meryl Jameson at meryl@catalyst.org.uk or telephone on 0151 420 1121.
