Newcastle Science City

What We DoEducation and Community

Newcastle Science City belongs to everyone. Whether you are an academic, a teacher, a science-based business or a member of the local community, the Newcastle Science City project aims to ensure that you have the opportunity to be part of the city’s continued scientific achievement and to benefit from this exciting collaboration of people, educational institutions and businesses.

Education

At an educational level, Newcastle Science City aims to ensure that the promotion and take up of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects (STEM) are maximised. Find out more about our work in the 'Changing thinking on science education' section below.

Our team have recently launched a Careers Booklet, aimed at encouraging people of all ages and capabilities to study STEM subjects so that they can take advantage of these employment opportunities.

The booklet highlights some real-life stories of how studying STEM subjects have led people into jobs as diverse as computer game design for Xbox, the testing of James Bond’s favourite Aston Martins, and the protection of the British forces across the world through complex communication systems.

To support this we have also produced an timeline which charts the history of innovation in Newcastle and the North East.

An electronic version of the booklet and the timeline are available to download below (last in the list of download files available on this page). Hard copies of the the careers booklet are also available, please email karen.marshall@newcastlesciencecity.com

For further enquiries about NSC Educational activity please contact Karen Marshall, Education Manager on 0191 211 3018 or email her on the address above.

Community

On a community level, Newcastle Science City aims to make everyone aware of the innovative science happening across our city, and to provide ways for people of all backgrounds to get involved.

A number of grant schemes have been established to help people develop ideas that use science to help improve their communities. The grant application form together with all of the required guidance can be found below.

Further information about the three science themes of Newcastle Science City: ageing & health; stem cell & regenerative medicine; and sustainability can be found in the 'Involving Communities in Science' section below. We are particularly keen to receive applications which address issues, insights and opportunities in these three areas.

To find out more contact Rhianne Dixon on 0191 406 0293 or email rhianne.dixon@centre-west.com.

SEIP - making partnership work
In an attempt to make science more interesting, secondary schools across Newcastle have formed a group designed to drive the idea forward. The Science Education Innovation Partnership (SEIP) comprises people with a special interest in subjects related to Science, Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM), including a representative from the city council.

The Newcastle SEIP has developed an Action Plan which will enhance the curriculum to make it more exciting, support teachers with continuing professional development, and showcase the wide range of jobs which are available to people with STEM qualifications.

The team has also helped young people learn more about how they can play a part in Newcastle as a Science City.

Anne Davies, Secondary Schools Science Consultant with Newcastle City Council, who has been co-ordinating the project, said: “Schools have grasped with both hands the opportunity to be more imaginative in how they teach all the sciences.

“Our core funding to this project has enabled schools to give more time to extra curricular activities such as scientific discussion cafes, and parent and pupil science clubs, and also to develop closer links with universities and businesses.

“All of these initiatives have already paid dividends in terms of increasing pupil interest in science."

NSC - Changing thinking on science education
At an educational level, Newcastle Science City aims to ensure that the promotion and take up of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects (STEM) are maximised. It does this in three different ways.

Continued Professional Development

First, we work with teachers, lecturers and postgraduates across the city to ensure they have access to continued professional development (CPD) opportunities which enable them to make the teaching of science, technology, engineering and maths subjects (STEM) more innovative, interactive, engaging and fun.

Promoting further science study and science-based careers

In this area we help to communicate to young people, their teachers and parents, the career development opportunities on offer to those who choose to study STEM subjects at GCSE, A-level and University.

Our team have launched a Careers Booklet, aimed at encouraging people of all ages and capabilities to study STEM subjects so that they can take advantage of these employment opportunities.

Dowload a copy above or to order a copy of the booklet please email karen.marshall@newcastlesciencecity.com

Influencing national STEM policy

Our third area of work is interpreting and influencing national STEM education policy and ensuring that these policies are developed effectively in and around our city, so that the education provided to our young people today meets the requirements of tomorrow’s employers.

We are committed to improving young people’s participation and attainment rates in science and technology subjects in secondary and further education, and aim to break down barriers between science and the wider community, so that everyone in the region can benefit.

To find out more about any of the above please contact Karen Marshall our Education Manager on 0191 211 3018 or email karen.marshall@newcastlesciencecity.com

 

Involving communities in science
The Newcastle Science City Community Engagement Programme is a partnership between Newcastle Science City, Newcastle City Council, Newcastle Futures, Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service and Centre West.

The Community Science Small Grant Fund provides grants up to £12,000 to Voluntary and Community organisations to engage with Newcastle local communities to deliver activities, events and projects raising awareness about science, helping to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering and maths and facilitate access to learning, personal development and employment opportunities,

The Community Service Grant Fund is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), One North East and Newcastle City Council.

Through this scheme we are encouraging Newcastle based 3rd sector and not-for-profit organisations to develop projects that aim to raise awareness and understanding of Newcastle Science City and increase the knowledge of, and participation in, science-related activities within the city. 

If you want to apply for funding from the Science and Community Grant Scheme please read the guidance notes in full prior to making an application.  Additional advice and support can be gained by contacting a member of the Community Science Development Team:

Rhianne Dixon, Community Science Team Manager, Centre West, 28 Hawthorne Terrace, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6RJ

Tel: 0191 406 0293

Mobile: 07966 063 768

Email:  rhianne.dixon@centre-west.com

NSC Three Science Themes

Driving improving in communities by focussing on the three strong science themes

Right now, there are three exciting areas of science that Newcastle Science City is championing. Why? Because they have the potential not only to unlock global solutions but also to help improve healthcare provision and quaility of life standards right here in Newcastle.

The themes are: ageing & health; stem cell research & regenerative medicine; and sustainabiliy, which cover areas such as modes of green transport, reducing your carbon footprint and recycling. Below provides further background to guide those thinking of applying for a grant, about the areas we would be keen to see addressed through the provision of funding.

Ageing & Health

Society is living longer - a hugely positive fact that nevertheless brings challenges. There are opportunities for community-led projects which address problems and enable improvements and solutions to be realised in these areas:

Disability: example areas include walking; driving; sleeping; feeding; washing and communication

Isolation: social exclusion; mental distress; social service costs

Prevention: predisposed diseases; infectious diseases; traumatic accidents and mental health deterioration

Ageing/lifestyle disease: diabetes; obesity and dementia

Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine

Stem cell research promises to solve some of modern society's most critical medical problems. It can help doctors predict and prevent illnesses long before they occur and, based at the International Centre for Life, the North East is rapidly becoming a world-leader in this field of research. Community-led groups could help address problems and help realise solutions in the following example areas:

Cancers: lung; colon; breast and prostate

Cardio-vascular diseases

Brain/Neural: alzheimer's, parkinson's, motor neurone

Musculoskeletal: rheumatoid arthritis; osteoporosis; non-uniform fractures

Infectious Diseases: influenza; malaria; AIDS/HIV

Sustainability

Building on the region's internationally leading strengths in the sustainable sciences, we are keen to welcome applications that drive improvements in the following areas:

Energy research: development of cleaner ways to power homes; business and transport network improvements; carbon neutral technologies and renewable electricity

Marine: covering the areas of marine engineering; marine biology; naval architecture; offshore engineering; coastal management

Transport: Making transport greener; developing new technologies which improve efficiency and safety and developing a fully-inclusive transport system

Urban sustainability: Concerning energy consumption; water provision; waste water treatment; transport infrastructure and land-use development

 

 

Creating jobs through science
Newcastle Science City is supporting efforts to give people a better understanding of the training, learning and employment opportunities that exist in the science sector within the Tyne and Wear Travel to Work area.

This activity aims to build relationships with potential employers and help unemployed people to consider jobs in science. Newcastle Futures, the city-wide employability agency, will employ two people and use their extensive network of partner organisations to co-ordinate this part of the project.

Case study - Sara Frost STEM Ambassador
Nurturing the scientists of the future

Sara Frost graduated from Newcastle University in 2009 in Zoology and since then has been working as a STEM Ambassador, encouraging school children in Newcastle to consider further study and careers based on science, technology, engineering and maths.

‘As a STEM Ambassador I am promoting a subject that I am really passionate about with the aim of showing children how science can be applied to everyday life. I was initially interested in biology at school and I want to pass on this passion to the youngsters across the city’ said Sarah.

‘Newcastle is a city with a world-class legacy in science and innovation, and the children of today will ensure that this legacy continues. The Newcastle Science City programme is a key element, helping to make this happen.’

To find out more about the work NSC is doing with schools contact Karen Marshall on 0191 211 3018.