Future Sparks - launching free schools visits programme

To mark its 25th birthday this year, We The Curious is launching Future Sparks: A bold new initiative to welcome 25,000 children throughout Bristol through its doors for free, helping to make science for everyone. 

We The Curious is loved throughout Bristol and beyond, as the two floor science experience with more than 200 things to do - as well as giving visitors a great day out, it also plays an important role in the city as an educational charity.

Many of us can probably remember a great school trip that inspired us and got us thinking differently. Yet thousands of children miss out on these experiences, simply because they can’t afford to go.

Over the past 25 years, We The Curious has seen 65,000 children a year visit the centre on school trips, and through its charity work has subsidised thousands of these visits from schools in Bristol’s most under-resourced areas, alongside taking science experiences into classrooms through its “out and about” projects. 

Now We The Curious is ramping up its ambition with Future Sparks, its biggest-ever drive to support young people’s education in the city, pledging to provide 25,000 free places to children from primary and secondary schools in BS1-16 – including alternative provisions and special SEND schools - by 2030.

The free visits programme will include entry, a thrilling live science and/or planetarium show, as well as transport to and from the venue, and will primarily focus on schools which have 40% or more students on free school meals. 

The free places will be offered primarily to year 3 and year 8 pupils, identified as pivotal transition stages for forming and nurturing interest in science.*

There is significant work to do to improve diverse participation in science: Students eligible for free school meals currently make up 25% of Year 11 pupils, yet they account for only 8% of A-level entries in STEM subjects.** Depending on where they grow up, children and young people may face additional barriers that can make it harder for them to progress into higher education as there is a lack of established pathways and resources. This highlights the importance of creating inclusive, inspiring spaces and programmes that ensure every young person, wherever they live, can access the same opportunities to learn, explore and thrive. 

The Future Sparks initiative has already had a boost to pilot the programme with the help of founding partner The John James Bristol Foundation, which has generously donated £150,000 to enable 6,600 primary school children to visit. Findings from the pilot revealed that 100% of schools reported a positive impact on children’s learning and interest in science because of their visit to We The Curious. Children have continued to talk about science at school, with interest in science as a subject increasing, showing that their visit to We The Curious made a lasting impression.

There are many ways people and organisations can support Future Sparks and We The Curious as an educational charity: Becoming a member, opting into Gift Aid, volunteering, supporting a project, through strategic partnerships, or simply making a one-off donation: 

• £4 - the price of a big chocolate bar - could send a child to Mars through a unique live planetarium show
• £22 - the cost of a cinema ticket for two - could help inspire a future animator with a trip to Animate It on our second floor and transport to and from the venue
• £280 – the average cost of a smartphone – could fund a full day of adventures for future engineers and tech specialists for a Year 3 school group
• £760 – the average cost of a UK city break for two – could treat a whole year 8 group to a stellar science show 

“Every child deserves the chance to be curious, inspired and see a future in science,” says We The Curious CEO Donna Speed. “Bristol is a city full of talent and potential, but with some of the starkest educational inequalities in England, not every young person has the same chance to explore their creativity and curiosity. As we celebrate 25 years, we’re determined to deliver our most ambitious campaign yet: Free school trips to 25,000 children as part of our Future Sparks programme.

“Innovation in science thrives on diversity, and there’s still a lot of work to do breaking down barriers and taking positive action to make that a reality. A trip to We The Curious is a brilliant, hands-on day they’ll remember for a long time. Teachers and children tell us it’s fun way to build confidence, spark questions and show that science is for everyone and full of possibilities.”

Bridget Woodard, Fundraising and Development Manager at We The Curious, adds: 

“Science can solve our biggest challenges, but only if everyone can take part. Giving all children the chance to get curious and believe science is for them is for everyone’s benefit.

We’re so grateful to all who have supported us over the past 25 years, from our members to our charitable donors, and we hope Bristol will now get behind Future Sparks in any way possible. Every Gift Aid, venue hire, or donation makes a difference.”

If you or your company would like to get involved in supporting Future Sparks, you can donate at https://www.justgiving.com/charity/wethecurious or visit https://www.wethecurious.org/future-sparks for more info.

Find out more ways you can support We The Curious at https://www.wethecurious.org/join-support.

ENDS

For more info or interview requests:

Jemma@wonderlandcomms.com | Wonderland Communications 

* https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/departments-and-centres/education-practice-and-society/research/aspires-research

** https://www.teachfirst.org.uk/press-release/disadvantaged-pupils-more-likely-drop-out-levels-get-stem-subject

Notes to editors:
ABOUT WE THE CURIOUS

We The Curious is an educational charity and South West England’s leading science centre. We produce experiences that bring people together to play, get creative with science and explore different ideas. We work with partners locally and nationally, supporting people to be inquisitive, develop new skills and improve their wellbeing.

Our vision asks ‘what if everyone is included, curious and inspired by science to build a better world together?’

For more information, images, interviews or to arrange a press trip, please contact Jen Forster, Communications Lead -  jen.forster@wethecurious.org or 07967334152.

You can follow We The Curious on Facebook (wethecurious) or Instagram (@wethecurious_). Visit www.wethecurious.org for more information.