British Science Week 2021
It’s British Science Week, and we’ve got a whole host of activities for you and your section to celebrate with. Try out the activities and hear from some of our partners about why STEM skills are so important for young people today.
The Raspberry Pi Foundation
Our friends at the Raspberry Pi Foundation support the Digital Maker Staged Activity Badge, and help young people develop their resilience and problem solving skills along the way.
Magda is one of the Raspberry Pi Foundation’s Software Engineers. We asked her about the importance of digital skills, and she said: ‘Can I imagine not using the internet? I don’t think so! Coding is a life skill to have – even if you’re not planning to work in the tech industry. Making a website yourself is so fun – it expands your curiosity and possibilities. The only thing that can stop you is your own imagination.’
Try making a website using this activity with your Scouts and Explorers and help them perfect their coding skills.
RAF
The RAF support the Air Activities Staged Badge with a whole host of activities and resources.
Paul is one of the RAF’s Aerosystem Engineers. His favourite bit about the job? Problem solving – a great skill for our Scouts too.
He said: ‘I got into an engineering career because I was interested in all aspects of STEM, but wanted to build and tinker with some of the latest technology. I love coming into work knowing there will be new challenges that require problem solving and teamwork to solve.’
Know some young people who are into trying new things with tech? We thought so. Give Artificial aviation a go and let your young people try a free flight simulator.
UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks help young people stay safe locally with the Local Knowledge Activity Badge.
Dean is the Technical Training Instructor at UK Power Networks. We spoke to him about the skills young people need to develop if they want to go into STEM careers.
He told us: ‘Throughout Scouts, young people work together in small groups. They develop good teamwork, interpersonal, communication and leadership skills. As they progress, the badges and awards they earn demonstrate their levels of commitment, and remaining opening to ongoing learning and development [at work] is key to progressing.’
You can discover our full interview with Dean – and make sure you share it with any Explorers considering apprenticeships.
UK Space Agency
The UK Space Agency supports the Scouts Astronautics Activity Badge with resources which focus on problem-solving, space discovery and practical STEM skills.
We know lots of young people and not so young people (ourselves included!) have been following NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover as it explores the Red Planet to look for signs of past life.
Your Scouts and Explorers will enjoy the video below to find out more about the mission from the real UK engineers and scientists involved, the future of exploration (including sending astronauts to the Moon and Mars!) and about inspiring careers in space!
There is much more information about the Mars missions the UK is involved in, a discovery pack that goes with the film with activities and career profiles, and lots of links to more activities and space career information here.
If you’re looking to bring a touch of the extra-terrestrial to your next Scout meeting, try Operation research rover – a great one to do virtually with any budding astronauts in your section, where you can use the Perseverance film and webpage to help with the research!
To watch in full screen, double click the video