Frimley, UK, 2013-Aug-30
Building on the success of last year’s Science Summer School, pupils in the east
end of London will be spending two days of their holidays working side by side with
some of Britain’s top scientific brains as part of a unique initiative led by TV
presenter and scientist Professor Brian Cox, OBE.
Prof Cox has asked some of his fellow elite scientists to join him at St Paul’s Way
Trust School for the event ‘MAKING BRITAIN THE BEST PLACE TO LEARN AND
EXPERIENCE SCIENCE’ (Thursday 29th and Friday 30th August). He is convinced
that by working closely with these dedicated scientists, the teenagers will see
science as more than simply a subject to study, there may even be a role for them to
push the frontiers of science themselves.
The first day offers an opportunity for students to interact with some of Britain’s
leading scientists and engineers through a programme of “TED” type seminars,
discussions, and hands on experiments, across a wide range of fields, from the latest
insights in space to understanding that “you are what you eat”. This year the second
day of the Science Summer School will move to the innovative Siemens Crystal
building in the Royal Dock, where students will be hearing directly from people
involved in engineering from the renovation of SS Robin, the world’s oldest complete
steamship which is now based in the Royals, to the practical challenges of Crossrail.
Brian Cox believes that to find the next generation of scientists, Britain needs to look
in new places and have fresh ideas to attract them. Speaking about the event, he
said: “This is a very exciting event. We will give the students access to leading
scientists so they can see first-hand the excitement of scientific discovery. We will
learn about and discuss new insights into the nature of the Universe, the Exo
Mars project, the link between diet and diabetes, as well as engineering
challenges from the oldest steam ship in the world to Crossrail and sustainable
technologies, to name just a few.
“Our aim is to inform, to excite, and to give the students the information and
inspiration necessary to become scientists and engineers. We want to demonstrate
that there are no barriers that can’t be overcome - if you're interested,
you can do it, and the UK economy needs you. We want to inspire young people to
believe that the future is literally in their hands, whether or not we build a better
world will be decided by their actions.”
The event is sponsored by insurers Catlin, who have previously produced award
winning materials for scientific education, Tesco, who is committed to creating new
opportunities for millions of young people around the world by inspiring, equipping
and enabling them to succeed in the world of work, Siemens who are a world leader
in sustainable technologies, and the London Legacy Development. The event also
has the support of social entrepreneur Lord Mawson of Bromley-by Bow who is now
working with a range of organisations to create a co-ordinated and joined up
response to address the issues of diabetes which is becoming a major issue within the
local community.
Head Teacher Grahame Price said: “At St Paul’s Way Trust School we are proud of
our status as London’s first Faraday specialist science school. We are committed to
inspiring young people to take a life-long interest in science and encouraging the
next generation of Britain’s scientists through innovative teaching methods and a
practical and investigative approach to learning.“
St. Paul’s Way Trust School is a Faraday School, making the most of science
innovation for its pupils. It is part of the St. Paul’s Way Transformation Project which is
exploring the connections between education, health, science and enterprise in
partnership with students, staff and residents from the local community. The area
around the school has rich connections with science, and Michael Faraday and
Isambard Kingdom Brunel both worked locally
.
Photos of Professor Brian Cox and other scientists with the students at the Science
Summer School are available from the media team. In addition interviews with
Prof Cox and other speakers can be arranged during the Science Summer
School, please contact Donald Findley.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE SCIENCE SUMMER SCHOOL AND
TO ARRANGE PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS PLEASE CONTACT ANDREW
MAWSON PARTNERSHIPS (AMP)
AMP Donald Findley –– M: 07970 903296
E: donald@amawsonpartnerships.com
SPONSERS CONTACT DETAILS
Catlin- Chip Cunliffe Tel:020 3426 4436 M:0 7772 240064
E: Chip.Cunliffe@catlin.com
Siemens - Anne Keogh Tel: 01276 696312 M:07808 823545
E: anne.keogh@siemens.com
Laura Bennett Tel: 01276 696374 M:07808 823598
E: laura.bennett@siemens.com
Tesco - Lindsey Paterson Tel:01992 646675 M: 07850 613683
E:lindsey.paterson@uk.tesco.com
EDITORS NOTES:
SCIENTISTS AND SPEAKERS AT THE SUMMER SCHOOL
The scientists at the two-day event are:
• Professor Brian Cox
• Professor Jon Butterworth, Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at
University College London, and a member of the ATLAS experiment at CERN’s
Large Hadron Collider
• Stephen Attenborough, Commercial Director for Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin
Galactic – the world’s first commercial Spaceline.
• Paul Meacham, ExoMars Rover Vehicle Project
• Dr. Tamsin Edwards, climate science, University of Bristol
• Professor John Wass, Professor of Endocrinology at Oxford University and Vice
President of the Royal College of Physicians
• Dr Mark Brandon, the British Antarctic Survey
• Lord Andrew Mawson, social entrepreneur
• Professor Graham, Professor of Molecular Medicine and Diabetes at Barts and
London Hospital
• Jason Flanagan, Design Director of Flanagan Lawrence
• Nishani & David Kampfner, SS Robin
• Rhodri Evans, STEM Ambassadors team for Siemens Metals
• Professor Robert Mair, the Sir Kirby Laing Professor of Civil Engineering and
Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Cambridge University
• Professor Paul Brickell, a molecular biologist and Executive Director of
Regeneration and Community Partnerships for the London Legacy Development
Corporation;
• Tony McBride, Director of the Science Policy Centre Royal Society
ABOUT ST PAUL’S WAY TRUST SCHOOL
In March 2013 Ofsted graded St Paul’s Way Trust School as ‘Outstanding’ in all categories. St Paul’s Way Trust School describes itself as 'The University School in the Heart of East London'. Since the Trust was set up by Queen Mary, University of London and King's College, London more and more academics have seen the benefit of working closely with the next generation of undergraduates.
Our Faraday status has allowed us to change how science and technology is taught. We provide practical, project based learning opportunities and encourage our students to develop a lifelong interest in science. This year our ambition of fostering links between science, education and the local community will take another step forward with the opening of the St Paul’s Way Trust Research Centre. This centre, designed by our lead Trust Partner Queen
Mary, University of London, will enable students from St Paul’s Way Trust and other schools to engage in exciting and challenging research, including our Wellcome Trust funded ‘Authentic Biology’ project; our research focus within the centre is ‘Type 2 Diabetes’.
ABOUT CATLIN
Catlin Group Limited is committed to supporting young people. Its community relations activities around the world focuses on education and charities whose aim is to improve the lives of children and teenagers. Catlin since 2009 has been a partner of St Paul’s Way Trust School, with the aim of improving the educational opportunities offered by the school to the youths living in Tower Hamlets. Catlin’s contributions to SPWT were recognised in 2011 by the
Lord Mayor of London when Catlin received a Dragon Award, which honours outstanding corporate responsibility initiatives by companies located in the City of London.
ABOUT TESCO
Tesco is the UK’s largest retailer and one of the world’s leading international retailers with around 6,000 stores worldwide, employing almost 520,000 people in the 12 countries in which it operates. Tesco is committed to using its scale for good and as part of this has three big ambitions:
1) To create new opportunities for millions of young people around the world
2) Help and encourage colleagues and customers to live healthier lives and through this help to tackle the global obesity crisis
3) Lead in reducing food waste globally
ABOUT SIEMENS
Siemens are a leading global innovator in the field of sustainable technologies. Siemens Crystal is a sustainable cities initiative by Siemens exploring tomorrow’s cities today. Home to the world's largest exhibition focused on urban sustainability and a world-class centre for dialogue, discovery and learning. In celebration of our first anniversary this September, the Crystal is proud to host the Siemens Festival Nights on Friday 30th of August, an outdoor opera featuring brand new opera productions from the world renowned Salzburg Festival. Participants in the Science Summer School have been invited to share in this celebration.
ABOUT THE LONDON LEGACY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Over the next 25 years this company will plan, develop, and manage the Olympic Park in East London, creating a lasting legacy from the 2012 Games.
LORD MAWSON OF BROMLEY-BY-BOW
Lord Andrew Mawson, through Andrew Mawson Partnerships has worked with Professor Brian Cox, a Patron of St. Paul’s Way Trust School in partnership with Catlin, St Paul’s Way CIC and St. Paul’s Way Trust School to launch and develop the Science Summer School.
At the end of the Science Summer School at the Siemens Crystal there will be a reception to explore the role of science and technology in the regeneration of East London where a new city is emerging
1/ The Chief Executive of Siemens in the UK, Roland Aurich will welcome participants to the reception at the close of the Science Summer School and provide some context.
2/ Lord Mawson will make the linkages between St Pauls Way Science Summer School and the wider regeneration of East London.
3/ Paul Brickell, Executive Director responsible for Regeneration and Community Partnerships at the LLDC, of which Lord Mawson is a Director, will then describe science and technology developments in both the Olympic Park and the Lower Lea Valley
4/ Tony McBride from the Royal Society will speak from the perspective of Royal Society on wider community engagement with science, and bringing together education, science, technology, and business.
5/ Prof Cox will close the proceedings addressing the importance of partnerships between business, science and technology and education.
6/ There will then be an opportunity for discussion, questions and networking
Lord Mawson said:
“Building on Professor Cox’s ambition that Britain is the best place to ‘learn and experience science’; the Lower Lea Valley in East London presents us with an important opportunity and context to explore the relationship between science, education, business, and aspiration. There is a need for future developments in the Lower Lea Valley to build upon a rich history of science, engineering, and innovation. It is equally important to connect education, aspiration, and employment for local people into these burgeoning opportunities.
Professor Cox and a representative from the Royal Society will lead a conversation around these themes and the Siemens Crystal reception is an opportunity to continue this discussion”.
