Member Article

New programme enhances childrens' scientific expectations

School children from an Alnwick School are considering scientific careers following a recent educational trip to a leading pharmaceutical company. Thirty children from nearby Lindisfarne Middle school have visited sanofi-aventis, in Alnwick, as part of a pioneering initiative called the Primary Science Enhancement Programme (PSEP). The school is one of many across the county to undertake such a visit after studying a topic on ‘Medicines from Microbes’.

The programme, which is aimed at nine to eleven year old Northumbrians currently in Middle School, is being rolled out across the county help pupils engage with science in the classroom. The pupils involved in the trip have also undertaken booster classes to help improve their understanding of scientific enquiry and improve their SAT marks.

Sara O’Brien, Communications and Community Relations Manager at sanofi-aventis, said: “It’s really rewarding to have the children on our site as they learn so much from the hands on, practical side of science. The PSEP has succeeded in bringing business and schools together in an integrated way, which benefits the children’s education.”

The PSEP – which is now entering its third year in the county, is promoted by Chemical Industries Association and was initially developed by its Education Centre at the University of York. The North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) is promoting the scheme across the North East of England.

Dee Stephenson, Enterprise Manager for Northumberland, said: “I was delighted to be able to offer both financial and personal support to the Primary Science Enhancement Programme. As an initiative that provides pupils with the hands on experience of applying their academic knowledge in the real world of work, I’m really impressed with how the programme has introduced the pupils to the industry of science in an enlightening and approachable manner.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .