Bangor University

Bright Sparks

Bangor University’s Reaching Wider partnership aims to increase Higher Education participation from previously under-represented groups and communities in Wales. Its Bright Sparks project aims to excite and inspire KS2 pupils from schools across North and Mid Wales. It uses interactive fun to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), and helps them to develop key skills. School pupils attend a workshop about wind turbines and how they generate electricity; however the workshop is suddenly interrupted by Professor Sparky and his nephew Eric who burst into the classroom. Eric desperately wants to become a professor, like his uncle, and they have come to the school to ask the pupils to help him achieve his goal. The pupils complete various tasks and are set challenges for a follow up session in week two where Professor Sparky and Eric return and the pupils present their work. Exam questions are taken from the presentations, and Eric sits his final exam in front of the pupils. This creates an electric atmosphere and the young people are desperate for Eric to pass.

The Prince’s Foundation

Engineering Education Programme – ‘Outdoor Elements’

Dumfries House, part of The Prince’s Foundation, is one of Britain’s most beautiful stately homes. Dumfries House Education offers a unique selection of education and training programmes that have been designed to support learners in Primary and Secondary education with experiential, hands –on activities linked to the Curriculum for Excellence.

The Engineering Education Programme ‘Outdoor Elements’ will create a unique outdoor learning experience which connects children and young people with the natural world and with our built heritage. By offering this unique learning experience to children and young people The Prince’s Foundation aims to inspire a future generation of creators and innovators.

Young Enterprise Scotland

Circular Economy Challenge

The 'Circular Economy' (CE) project prepares the enterprising young minds of today for the economy of tomorrow. Up to 1200 young people in P6/7 and S1/S2 (ages 10-14) from Primary/Secondary Schools across Greater Glasgow, Forth Valley and Tayside will be supported to develop their own mock CE business. Over a 10-week period, they will take part in a ‘learning by doing’ experience introducing them to CE and allowing them to make and market their own product/service adhering to CE principles. Young people will then work in teams of 6-8 to develop and design their product or service; select a company name and design a business plan/pitch. At the end of the 10 weeks, each Company will present to a panel of judges (made up of teachers/YE Scotland staff/volunteers) at a Dragon’s Den style ‘Pitch Event’ at their school. Top scoring pitches from each school will be invited to take part in a showcase Pitch Event.

Size of Wales

Climate Change Champions

Size will run an innovative 'Climate Change Champions' programme for young people aged 14-18. They will host four regional climate debating events for pupils in both English and Welsh. A selection of schools will then take part in a final UN style climate conference 'MockCOP' hosted at the Debating Chamber of National Assembly of Wales. These events will help them to develop an understanding about the UN and gain intercultural skills and empathy as they act the role of nations whilst discussing global issues. The aim is for delegates to agree an international resolution on the issue of climate change.

Panathlon Foundation

Primary Panathlon

The 'Primary Panathlon' project aims to provide young disabled children aged four - 11 with an opportunity to experience the thrill of competitive sport, often for the first time. The event day programme comprises of a series of ‘mini-paralypmic’ style sports such as parachute popcorn, polybat, precision bean bag, new age kurling, boccia blast, Messi football skills and table cricket.

The programme offers borough, county, regional and divisional competitions with finals held in iconic and inspirational venues such as the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’s Copper Box Arena, the English Institute of Sport and the home of the Paralympics, Stoke Mandeville.

Red Balloon of the Air

Red Balloon of the Air

Red Balloon supports young people who self-exclude from school and are missing education because of bullying or other trauma. It provides an academic and therapeutic programme to enable students to get back on track and reconnect with society.

At the charity’s head office in north Cambridge, a new dedicated Community and Learning Hub has been created. Students will be invited to join cooking sessions, arts and crafts activities and Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths workshops, and they will be encouraged to help shape the programme throughout the year. Bringing students together in a community setting like this is an important way to reduce their social isolation and, ultimately, enable them to re-engage with society. They are consequently better able to return to school or move on to further education, training or work.

National Deaf Children Society

Roadshow: Mobile Classroom

The 'Roadshow' project features an eight ton purple bus that transforms into a mobile classroom for outreach visits. It tackles disadvantage and promotes equal opportunities for deaf children and young people (DCYP) aged 4-19 by informing them of support available for them to accomplish their aspirations and independence, and ensuring hearing peers and the wider community can support the breaking down of barriers to DCYP inclusion. This is achieved through delivery of interactive workshops, drop-in information sessions and technology demonstrations on the bus and in school assemblies. The team delivers a range of engaging and inspiring workshops to reduce isolation and help DCYP to access their education and a good social life at school.

Techniquest

Schools Outreach

The 'Schools Outreach' project goal is to bring an innovative programme of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) educational outreach to 10,000 school pupils in the most disadvantaged areas of Wales. It will deliver a series of interactive STEM workshops which enable young people to explore concepts and explain the phenomena presented using their newfound scientific knowledge.