Great Science Share for Schools continues to inspire
Outreach Social responsibility 14th June 2024
The Great Science Share for Schools 2024 Greater Manchester event took place this Tuesday. Pupils from 35 schools from across all boroughs of Greater Manchester descended on the University of Salford to share a super range of investigations with other pupils, academics and with professionals working in science today.
The Greater Manchester GSSfS event is just one of many events that took place across the UK, but also internationally, to mark the campaign’s annual Share Day. Events were hosted in schools, zoos, museums, outdoors and hospital schools. Now in its ninth year, Great Science Share for Schools continues to grow on a global scale, with sign ups from schools in 40 countries and an amazing total of 660,280 young pupils.
Great Science Share for Schools is an award-winning campaign that continues to inspire 5-14 year-olds to take the lead in asking, investigating and sharing scientific questions they care about with new audiences.
The campaign’s success was further amplified and accredited by its recent award of patronage, granted by the UK National Commission for UNESCO (UKNC). The patronage serves as a hallmark of quality, acknowledging an event’s contribution in advancing UNESCO’s mission in promoting education, scientific research, and cultural understanding.
Professor Lynne Bianchi, Director of the Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub (SEERIH) at The University of Manchester and the visionary behind GSSfS, emphasised the campaign’s importance.
“Great Science Share for Schools empowers pupils to take charge of their learning and communicate their scientific ideas. It is vital to promote the importance of science in our lives and we can do that by celebrating the scientific curiosity of students across the UK and beyond.”
The campaign links to Sustainable Development Goals to highlight important global issues amongst teachers and pupils. Diverse investigations addressing environmental issues like plastic pollution and sustainable fashion were amongst the science being shared by pupils.
Several high-profile University of Manchester members have praised the event and continue to partner with the Great Science Share for Schools. Video messages from Professor Brian Cox and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell underlined the commitment to ensuring that young people are passionate about science and science education.
“Science is everywhere, not just in lessons and books. It is in our environment, our houses and our everyday lives and pupils can all do real life experiments”
As Great Science Share for Schools looks ahead to celebrating its 10th year on 17th June 2025, there are no signs of the campaign slowing down.
“What Great Science Share for Schools has shown year on year, is that pupils have a thirst for science. They are naturally curious about the world around them and given the opportunity through GSSfS, they demonstrate that they can ask amazing scientific questions. This campaign puts pupils at the centre of their learning.”
Grace Marson, Campaign Manager for Great Science Share for Schools
The Great Science Share for Schools continues to inspire young scientists to ask, investigate and share their scientific questions, and make science an integral and enjoyable part of education worldwide, demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and gender equality in STEM education.
