Funding for 10 Ways To Play

• 5 days of interactive hands-on STEM activities and experiments

• Free to attend drop-in sessions based on Millennium Square in Bristol

• We engaged with over 2000 diverse individuals and families during the event

• 65% of participants reported increased interest and relevance in science

During our 10 Ways to Play event, we were keen to focus on the broader skills that support the sciences – specifically experimentation, prediction and the analysis of causes. We hoped to provide a broad entry point to allow children and their family members to experiment, work together to solve problems, and develop solutions. To feel confident with failure, be curious, and to build on learning to achieve and observe different outcomes.   

The activities were free to attend and drop-in to encourage the widest possible audience, promoted to all our regular visitors, as well community audiences and high levels of passing families (many who don’t visit WTC) due to the high-profile central Bristol location. 

Partners of the event included: The Vassall Center, St. George's Community Center, WECIL, Ambition Lawrence Weston, Avonmouth Community Centre, St. Paul's and Hillfields Libraries, The Hub, Bedminster, Stockwood, and Bishopsworth Children Centre.

Achievements: 

This initiative extended our inclusion and outreach programs, engaging over 2000 diverse individuals and families in Millennium Square. It deepened our engagement with diverse communities in Bristol, offering free access to STEM educational activities and sparking discussions about overcoming barriers to STEM involvement. 

• 65% of participants reported increased interest and relevance in science.
• One parent noted how her non-English-speaking daughter easily participated, boosting her confidence and engagement.
• Feedback from schools and communities has consistently fed back (through this activity and across all our work) that the significant barrier to hands on STEM learning is financial and due to the perception that ‘STEM’ is not for everyone. This open, free and engaging approach to core themes in STEM for younger children has been the first step for many families in overcoming these barriers and exploring science in the future. 

10 Ways to Play built upon our engagement activity and launched a whole summer of activities out in our communities. It was so successful we utilised the materials and format throughout the summer across Bristol including on College Green (next to Bristol Council and cathedral) with over 390 participants in June 2023 and over 160 participants at St Georges 200th anniversary celebration.

It helped us to further develop relationships with communities across Bristol and a better understanding of how we can work together to overcome barriers to STEM education. This is leading the development of our inclusion, public engagement and educational approaches and projects including ticketing concessions for schools and free entry for community organisations, through to schools lead science research projects and outreach projects. 

We thank the Trustees of the Edina Trust for their support at a very challenging time for We the Curious and our audiences. It was critical for us as a science communication charity to remain visible and that we still delivered on our charity pledges and be there for children despite our closure.