Festival launched with a bang
jpco-23-5-12 Launch of Crawley STEMFest (Pic by Jon Rigby)
A NEW project which aims to get more young people interested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) was launched with a colourful bang.
Crazy scientist professor Hal Sosabowski, from the University of Brighton, showcased experiments in front of an audience of councillors, scientists, local businesses and teachers.
He created flames, reacted chemicals and illumniated the whole room in a live demonstration at the Arora Hotel, in Southgate.
This launched a new educational project, Crawley STEMfest 2012, which hopes to engage thousands of young people in schools, STEM Clubs and throughout the community during May and June.
It also hopes to encourage youngsters to study, build careers and to interact with local businesses in STEM subjects.
West Green Cllr Vanessa Cumper came up with the idea.
She said at the launch: “When I first became a councillor I said to a couple of people we needed a science festival to create more opportunities.
“It’s about getting more young people, and any adults who want a career change, to consider the different career paths – it’s aimed at anyone alive and kicking.
“I want people to realise these subjects can be for anybody not just boffins.
“Doing science is not just about wearing a lab coat and spending all day in a laboratory mixing chemicals, it can be about everyday things and I want people to be excited about that.”
The project is organised by STEM Sussex, the outreach department of the Faculty of Science and Engineering of the University of Brighton, in partnership with Crawley Borough Council and Central Sussex College.
The leader of Crawley Borough Council, Cllr Bob Lanzer, said it supported the festival as its economic plan wants the town to “feel confident and self reliant”.
He said: “Crawley businesses will be able to access a local talent pool who have the skills, we want the people they recruit to be local people. That in itself is good for business and good for the town. “It’s just about encouraging people to take up and be inspired by these subjects.”
The festival will finish with the Big Bang South East regional fair at The Hawth on July 5.
It will feature hands on workshops, and innovative shows for more than 1,700 young people aged nine to 19.
Ian Thornton, senior vice president of CGGVeritas, said: “Our aim is to be a positive influence in the local communities in which we operate.
“By supporting Crawley STEMfest and the Big Bang fair, CGGVeritas believes it can inspire future generations in an exciting and rewarding way.
“We look forward to welcoming students to our stand on July 5 and introducing them to our fascinating, challenging and ever-evolving world of seismic.”
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Sunday 26 May 2013
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