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A flagship programme is inspiring the next generation of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), through hands-on science experiences designed for secondary school students.
ScienceXperience is a STEM outreach programme developed by Leigh Hoath, Professor of Science Education at Leeds Trinity University and ran by BASF, a key supplier of products and solutions across UK industries. So far, six ScienceXperiences have been opened at BASF sites across the country, meaning the programme can run for multiple cohorts of children and young people who go to school in those regions.
Initially aimed at primary school children, the programme has now expanded to secondary age, with the first event welcoming 11 girls and young women from Bradford Forster Academy to the BASF manufacturing site in Bradford, where they took part in interactive experiments and activities while meeting scientists, engineers, and manufacturing professionals. They also toured the facilities and had a chance to see how the theory they learn in the classroom comes to life on an industrial scale.
With women currently accounting for just 26% of the UK's STEM workforce, the programme was designed to showcase the wide range of career opportunities available within science and manufacturing, while challenging common perceptions about who can pursue a job in STEM.
Professor Hoath, who designs the ScienceXperience activities using her globally recognised expertise in science education, said: "Until now, ScienceXperience has focused on primary school pupils, so this expansion is a fantastic opportunity to show girls what science can look like beyond the classroom and inspire them to consider a wider range of STEM careers. By connecting learning with real-world applications and introducing students to scientists working in industry, we can build confidence, spark curiosity, and help more young women see STEM as an exciting pathway to their future."
Harriet Bean, Senior Quality Management Coordinator and Process Chemist at BASF Bradford and ScienceXperience Lead, said: "As a former apprentice, I know first-hand how transformative opportunities in STEM can be. My apprenticeship gave me the skills and confidence to build a rewarding career in science. As a woman working in STEM, I'm passionate about helping more girls see that science and manufacturing offer exciting opportunities and a wide range of career paths. I'm delighted that our first ScienceXperience event in Bradford focused on inspiring young women to consider a future in STEM."
Ellen Parsons, Progress Leader of Science at Bradford Forster Academy, who accompanied the students, added: “Our students gained a great deal from their visit to BASF. They thoroughly enjoyed the practical laboratory experiments and were particularly impressed by the knowledge and enthusiasm of the staff, who took the time to answer their questions in depth.
"Students also showed a strong interest in the apprenticeship and career pathways available and valued the opportunity to speak with employees who had progressed through these routes themselves. The visit was both inspiring and informative, and a fantastic experience for all involved.”
BASF and Professor Hoath plan to continue developing the programme in Bradford, building partnerships with local schools and communities to help create greater awareness of STEM opportunities, particularly among underrepresented groups, and support the development of the future workforce. Earlier this month, ScienceXperience won The Herald Scottish Community Impact Award, recognising the activities at the BASF Callanish site, which have so far inspired more than 500 pupils across the Isle of Lewis.