News Festival of Science 09.07.2021

Students from Collyer’s Science Faculty engaged in a day of talks and activities last week, launching a STEM month at the Ofsted Outstanding Sixth Form College. Students relished the opportunity to pick the brains of guest speakers and experts covering the fields of science, engineering, mathematics and IT, as the college hosted one of the largest Sixth Form College science careers events of its kind in the country. The day was a huge success and offered informative and inspiring presentations within a packed schedule.

The Festival of Science 2021’s theme was ‘STEM for Sustainability’ with many of the talks and activities exploring the ways Science students, from all disciplines, can play their part in solving the climate, waste, and sustainability crisis we face globally.

With talks and workshops throughout the morning, then a Science Fayre in the afternoon, students were inspired and resourced to play their part. The college were delighted to welcome over 40 speakers and exhibitors from companies, industries and academic institutions, who joined both on campus and virtually.

The Inspiring key note speakers on the day were Ayo Sokale, Chartered Civil Engineer at the Environment Agency, and Mark Miodownik, Material Scientist, broadcaster and writer.

Hannah Page, Director of Faculty for Science said: “Huge thanks to the staff, speakers and exhibitors who gave their time and energies to making this event possible. Special thanks to our keynote speakers Mark Miodownik and Ayo Sokale for speaking so passionately about the contribution of STEM in Sustainability.”

Collyer’s Principal, Dan Lodge said: “The Festival of Science enabled the Collyer’s community to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, and is a fantastic opportunity for Collyer’s students to be given up-to-date, topical advice from those currently working across a range of science and technology related industries.  Massive thanks to our inspiring experts and to Hannah Page and her team for all of their hard work in making the day possible.”

The visiting experts also included many ex-Collyer’s students, now studying and working in the areas of Science, Engineering and IT, who kindly gave up their time to come back and talk to the next generation. Organisations who supported the event included: Atkins, Born Free, Falmouth University, Institute of Mathematics, Kent Surry Sussex Academic Health Science Network, Leap Environmental, University of Portsmouth, Royal Society of Chemistry, RSA, University of Southampton, Hodder Education, South Downs National Park, University of Sussex, and UCL.

Hannah Page added: “Considering the challenges of the last 16 months, I am thrilled we were able to put on a festival of such scale safely and remind our students that there is so much potential awaiting them. We are already looking forward to next year!”