Skelmersdale welcomes Professor Brian Cox CBE online to launch Science Summer School

Amidst the challenges facing us all at present, West Lancashire College, Well North Enterprises and West Lancashire Partnership are delighted to announce the launch of Science Summer School, which will excite and inspire local young people who have an interest in making a career in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths (STEAM).

Professor Brian Cox CBE will be joining us virtually at West Lancashire College on Tuesday 6 July 2021, where he will host the first Science Summer School to take place in the North West and share his vision that “Britain is the best place to do science”. This will be a blended event with both virtual and live elements.

Science Summer School is a national initiative co-founded by Professor Cox and Lord Andrew Mawson OBE, with the aim of inspiring young people to pursue careers in STEAM and become the next generation of Britain’s scientists and engineers.

The Skelmersdale Science Summer School has been organised in partnership with Well Skelmersdale, Well North Enterprises, West Lancashire Partnership, Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, West Lancashire College, and a group of West Lancashire High Schools.

The event is sponsored and supported by a range of local, regional, and national employers including Ibstock Plc, Future-U, Virgin Care, Peel Ports Group, Epic Games, NSG, Everton, CRP Subsea, Edge Hill University and The Tate Liverpool.

Denise Williamson, Principal, West Lancashire College said: “We are delighted to host the first Science Summer School in the North West and we look forward to working with our employer partners to promote the fabulous STEAM opportunities that we have in our region.”

 

Lord Andrew Mawson, Executive Chair, Well North Enterprises said  “Just as science has enabled us to reach Mars and start to explore the surface, we begin a journey here on Earth led by Professor Brian Cox and joined by our many forward-thinking partners to make Skelmersdale a place where the extraordinary can happen through science and engineering. We welcome aboard all our young participants and their teachers for the journey of a lifetime.”

 

Jackie Moran, Director of Integration and Transformation at NHS West Lancashire CCG, said:

“We are thrilled to be able to work together with local partners to bring one of the most well-known and respected scientists in the country to Skelmersdale in a virtual capacity. This event will be a catalyst for the young people of Skelmersdale and West Lancashire to explore a career in science and engineering.”

On the day, school pupils from across West Lancashire will be transported into a world of Science. They will attend inspirational talks, including keynote presentations with Professor Cox and other guest speakers, and take part in a range of fabulous science and engineering activities all aimed at exciting their interest in the huge range of STEAM careers available to them.

Professor Cox’s virtual visit and vision are timely. Simply put, we need to encourage more young people into careers spanning science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. As we transition into more positive times, we must look to a future where STEAM subjects offer extraordinary career opportunities for young people.

The day will culminate in a virtual evening reception, when employers from across the globe will come together online to hear Professor Cox and guests speak about how to help create a lasting legacy of excellence in STEAM, to inspire future generations and to put Skelmersdale on the map to be the best place for science and engineering in the world!

If you are a STEAM employer and would like to get involved, please contact Dawn Hughes on 01695 52363 or email dawn.hughes@westlancs.ac.uk