Boxing clever with experiments in the classroom

It’s just another day at school. Science is on the timetable but there’s nothing particularly unusual about that – until a new face walks into the room carrying a large box of specialist equipment.

Soon everyone is involved in an activity led by student ambassadors sharing their love of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). These are undergraduates from The University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol) and their enthusiasm is infectious.

For teachers like Liz Hackling, the injection of real-world scenarios into everyday classroom situations is worth its weight in gold. Bridge Learning Campus is one of many schools in Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire and beyond that participates in UWE Bristol’s BoxED project – a schools outreach programme designed to raise aspirations and champion young people’s interest in STEM subjects and the careers they inspire.

“The student mentor aspect is the thing that really drives the project,” says Liz. “The innovative nature of BoxED has really got our students enthused about STEM subjects. It works because every topic is related to real life – and the people delivering it are real live students who are brilliant role models.”

Activities include a phone-charge challenge based on building a wind turbine, the opportunity to undertake a forensic investigation and a simple glider experiment that gets across the principles of lift and drag. All activities plug into National Curriculum Key Stages and having more hands on deck means that students get to work in smaller groups, question the information presented to them and grapple with a greater level of detail.

“The UWE students bridge the gap between teachers like me – who left university nearly 15 years ago – and teenagers who might be starting there in five years’ time,” says Liz.

“Providing students with the opportunity to do experiments devised by people they have built a rapport with is a massive boost to their self-confidence. The smiles on their faces when they see their ideas work – and know why they work – are priceless and the use of up-to-date, specialist equipment that we don’t have in school adds a real wow factor to the day.”

But 11-15-year-old students and their teachers aren’t the only ones to benefit from BoxED. Catherine Noel is a Biomedical Science undergraduate at UWE Bristol whose ambassador role provides valuable experience of communicating with young people in a classroom setting.

Noel comes from a background similar to that of many students in the schools she visits; an approach that puts everyone at ease. She is often asked about life at university and sows valuable seeds by chatting about her current course and career ambitions alongside the task in hand.

“The development and continuation of STEM knowledge is dependent on the involvement of the next generation in rethinking and improving current theories,” says Noel, who gained a place at university following success on an Access to Higher Education course.

“BoxED workshops give me the opportunity to share my love of biology and talk about my desire to work in medical research.

“I hope my involvement helps the next generation understand that people from all backgrounds have the ability to go to university – and to succeed.”