Science clubs celebrated at Buckingham Palace

The British Science Association, with support from new Royal Patron, launches Great British Science Club to honour 30th anniversary of flagship education programme

The British Science Association (BSA) has launched the Great British Science Club at Buckingham Palace one week ahead of the main celebrations on 5 July 2017.

Great British Science Club is a nationwide celebratory event to mark the 30th anniversary of the British Science Association’s hugely successful education programme, CREST Awards. Celebratory events will take place across the country over the next few days, culminating in hundreds of schools participating on 5 July 2017.

Yesterday (Tuesday 27 June), students from three local schools were invited to the special, science-themed launch party at the Palace. They met the BSA’s new Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of York, and took part in hands-on science activities, including live demonstrations from TV science presenter and Great British Science Club Ambassador, Fran Scott.

There are events planned in over 300 schools across the country on 5 July, involving up to 25,000 young people. There will be a flagship event at Thorpe Park which will include a science fair, self-led science activities in the Park and a free, live show where Fran Scott will again be performing science demonstrations and speaking to young people about her passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

On the evening of the 5 July, the British Science Association’s Chair, Rt Hon the Lord David Willetts, will be hosting a reception for education stakeholders, policy makers and CREST Award partners at the House of Lords. They will celebrate the achievements of the 400,000 students and thousands of educators who’ve been involved in CREST Awards over the last 30 years.

Katherine Mathieson, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, said: “CREST Awards have inspired tens of thousands of young people to enjoy science, and to go on to further study and work in science-based fields. The Great British Science Club is a fantastic way to celebrate this incredible programme and honour the hard work of all those who have been a part of it. I’d like to thank Buckingham Palace and Lord David Willetts for their continuing support, and all the teachers, technicians, parents, youth leaders and young people who have been involved over the years.”

Speaking at the event at Buckingham Palace, HRH The Duke of York said: “Young children are constantly learning about the world around them through experimenting and trial and error. We sometimes fail to recognise this for what it is – using the scientific method. Life is about doing experiments, finding out how things work, and being curious about the world, so I am delighted to see young people being encouraged to cultivate their curiosity in science by the British Science Association.”

Fran Scott, BBC Science Presenter, said: “I love science, and try to pass on this love through my television and stage demonstrations, therefore being part of the Great British Science Club to commemorate the 30th anniversary of CREST is a huge honour. By celebrating science in this way we can highlight just how great and important it is, and I hope generations to come are inspired to get involved.”

Each year, around 30,000 CREST Awards are undertaken by 11-to-19-year-olds; they play an important role in promoting STEM enrichment activities and open-ended project work in schools and science clubs. Through CREST, young people explore the true nature of STEM through well-regarded, high quality and tangible project work.

Schools wishing to participate in the Great British Science Club on 5 July can sign up at www.greatbritishscienceclub.org.