Generating Genius
Students at summer school – part of the three year ‘Generating Genius’ Science Ambassadors programme.
Science is at the very heart of our business and encouraging the next generation of scientists is crucial to the sustainability of our industry. A career in science can be exciting, extremely varied and rewarding – but how do we demonstrate this to children in a creative and engaging way? In 2008/09 Johnson Matthey initiated a specific programme of support focused on promoting the understanding and awareness of science among young people.
One beneficiary of this support is UK charity Generating Genius, a Science Ambassadors programme which introduces talented students from inner city areas to a range of science disciplines and trains them to act as science peer role models to other children in their schools and communities.
Around 20 teenage students participate over a three year period where they attend summer schools and a variety of follow up sessions. A broad range of science topics are covered from chemistry, physics and engineering to web design and biomedical engineering.
Generating Genius teaches science using real life contexts to inspire and engage its students. The theme of last year’s summer school was a ‘Scrapheap Challenge’ where students applied their science and engineering know-how to recycle old electronics equipment (scrapped VHS video recorders, electric toothbrushes etc.) to create artistic installations motorised by green technology. In addition to the practical science and project management aspects of the programme, students also develop their problem solving, leadership, team working and presentation skills. Throughout the three year programme and beyond, the students will become more confident, better prepared and more connected to the working world.
Developing the students as role models to others is an important aspect of the programme. This seeding of exemplars of science and technology is expected to have a multiplier effect across the community and the schooling system in the medium term and in the longer term lead directly to more children pursuing science related careers.
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