Member Article

Manufacturer continues to stem an interest in science

Year four pupils from Sutton in Craven Community Primary School were treated to a morning of science experiments as part of a local chemical manufacturer’s bid to support an interest in STEM subjects from a young age.

For the second year, Cross Hills-based Airedale Chemical invited 30 pupils to see science come to life and take part in experiments to explore how blubber works, how penguins stay dry and find out more about the water cycle.

Students were also given a tour of the facilities and had the chance to sit in one of the manufacturer’s lorries.

Dave Horton, Year 4 teacher at the school, said: “We were thrilled to continue our relationship with Airedale Chemical and take the current Year 4 class to see science in action. It’s so important that businesses have initiatives such as this to help inspire children and relate learnings back to the classroom. The children haven’t stopped talking about the visit and everything they learnt!”

The visit also included an introductory talk and interactive video to demonstrate a ‘product journey’ with experiments being led by the specialist manufacturer’s team of chemists, health and safety and marketing managers and operations director.

Chris Chadwick, managing director at Airedale Chemical, said: “Encouraging an interest in STEM subjects in children from a young age is increasingly important, and we were delighted to invite pupils from Sutton in Craven Community Primary School to take part in real experiments and learn more about chemistry’s role in the real world. They were all incredibly engaged and welcome guests.”

The site-tour followed a school talk attended by Airedale Chemical research and development chemist, Madeline Lofthouse, who spoke to the pupils during their Skills and Enterprise Week about careers in chemistry.

Airedale Chemical was established in 1973 and provides chemicals and contract manufacturing to markets including agriculture, dairy, water treatment and waste management.

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