A community science group in Rochdale is running hands-on workshops and a public festival to teach children from disadvantaged and South Asian backgrounds about climate change using satellite data, air pollution visualisations, and renewable energy kits. This matters because Rochdale is one of the UK’s most deprived areas, with low educational attainment and a STEM workforce that draws very few people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. Without targeted outreach, these communities remain largely excluded from the science and engineering careers that will shape climate policy and green technology. If the project succeeds, it will create a consortium of ten local schools, a permanent climate-themed public artwork, and a stronger pipeline linking South Asian heritage students to STFC science. The immediate impact is on the 100-plus participants aged 8–15: they will gain practical skills in data analysis, coding, and engineering problem-solving. Longer term, the initiative aims to shift local perceptions of who can become a scientist or engineer, building a more diverse STEM workforce for the UK’s climate response.
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Summary The Rochdale Science Initiative C.I.C (RSI) is a community-focused organisation dedicated to making STEM education accessible to underrepresented groups in Rochdale, one of the UK's most socio-economically deprived areas. With a mission to enhance community engagement in science, RSI collaborates with local and national partners to deliver impactful programs. Despite limited funding, RSI thrives on small grants and robust community support, aiming to foster interest and participation in STEM fields. Context and Challenge Rochdale faces significant socio-economic challenges, with high levels of poverty and unemployment. Educational attainment is below national averages, and only a small fraction of the UK's STEM workforce comes from BAME backgrounds. Addressing these disparities, RSI, in collaboration with the STFC community, aims to engage the South Asian heritage community and disadvantaged students aged 8-15, focusing on climate and environmental science education. Aims and Objectives The initiative, pending funding from the STFC Public Engagement Spark Awards 2024B, aims to: 1. Engage and educate the South Asian community and local students on climate science. 2. Increase awareness and participation in STEM through interactive workshops and activities. 3. Foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills related to climate issues. 4. Build a strong STEM network in Rochdale, linking with the STFC science community. 5. Develop a consortium of 10 schools, led by Falinge Park High School, to share resources and tailor activities and workshops. Key Partnerships and Activities RSI's partnerships with the Daresbury Laboratory Public Engagement Team, RAL Space, and the Centre for Environmental Data Analysis (CEDA) are pivotal. Collaborations with Falinge Park High School and other local schools strengthen the network. 1. Collaborative Artwork: A permanent installation based on the CEDA Warming Stripes concept, involving 100 participants, to spark discussion on climate change. 2. Climate Pledge Activity: Offers practical climate science insights and mitigation steps. 3. Air Pollution Stripes Initiative: Utilise the STFC supercomputer to visualise global air pollution trends, promoting discussions on air quality. 4. "Grandma's Footsteps" Workshops: Interactive storytelling to teach children about air pollution impacts. 5. Remote Sensing Workshops: Introduces satellite data analysis to understand climate impacts. 6. STEM Careers Challenge Workshops: Focus on data science and engineering skills through coding and team projects. 7. Renewable Energy Workshops: Hands-on learning with Bright Sparks kits to explore renewable energy concepts. 8. Forces and Engineering Workshops: Uses Strawbees kits to teach sustainability-related problem-solving. 9. Daresbury Laboratory Visits: Engages participants with real-world scientific research and inspires STEM career pursuits. Flagship Event The "Rochdale Science Extravaganza: Inspiring Climate Action Through STEM" festival will showcase the learning outcomes, involving families in interactive experiments and demonstrations. Core Team and Community Focus The core team includes Mohammed Rahman as Project Lead, Rose Edmondson as Project Co-lead, and Abdul Alim as Grant Manager. RSI acts as a crucial link between the South Asian communities in Rochdale and the STFC science community, fostering collaboration and innovative thinking within the community. The community initiatives will be led by RSI, and the school consortium led by Falinge Park High School. By aligning with the Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) emphasis on the importance of ongoing dialogue about science and technology in addressing environmental challenges, our initiative aims to make a significant impact in Rochdale. We seek to strengthen school and community networks while promoting engagement in STEM fields.
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