Professor Brian Cox CBE FRS, Britain’s leading physicist and science communicator, delivered an inspiring speech to over 500 pupils and teachers at the 5th annual North Star Science School, held at Gulliver’s Valley in Rotherham, organised by the Work-wise Foundation in partnership with 360 Degree Society.
Professor Cox shared his vision to make the UK the best place to do science and engineering, saying: “You don’t have to be a genius – science is for everyone. All you need to be is interested, and if you’re interested, then you can do it.”
Throughout the day, he met with enthusiastic students and later delivered a speech exploring the wonders of our solar system and galaxies, the possibility of life beyond our planet and the future of science. During his speech, he said: “The only thing we can say for sure about life in the Milky Way galaxy and beyond, is that there is one place where we are certain life exists – Earth. So, it is over to you really in the next 10, 20, 30 years. It would be wonderful if we found that this place is not unique even in the solar system. As it stands at the moment, we’re doing research. Are we alone in the solar system? We don’t know. Are we alone in the Milky Way galaxy? We don’t know. That’s why we use science.”
Following his talk, pupils were able to take part in a number of practical workshops, working alongside STEAM-related (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) businesses. This included discovering how homes are designed with Barratt Developments PLC and Brinsworth Academy, and exploring the fusion of energy with the UK Atomic Energy Authority and Sheffield Park Academy.
Further workshops were hosted by AESSEAL, AMETEK LAND, the AMRC Training Centre, CBE+, the Army, Volker Rail, Cyber Security, Ibstock PLC , E.on with Amazelab, Esh Group, NHS South Yorkshire, Signia Hearing, Vulcan to the Sky Trust, JJA Snack, Forge Solutions, Space Detectives, MoSAIC and United Cast Bar in collaboration with Cast Metals Federation.
The North Star Science event featured talks from leading scientists and engineers, including Ruth Amos, Inventor and Director of YouTube channel Kids Invent Stuff bringing kids’ invention ideas to life, Dr Simon Goodwin, Professor of Theoretical Astrophysics at the University of Sheffield and Sonja Jones, Clinical Audiologist at Cardiff Hearing, who talked about the powerful connection between science and healthcare.
The North Star Science School is part of the Science Summer School national initiative co-founded in 2012 by Professor Brian Cox CBE FRS and Lord Andrew Mawson OBE. Its mission is to establish the UK as a global leader in science and engineering, inspiring the next generation.
John Barber, CEO of Work-wise Foundation added: “Our next large event will be Get up to Speed with STEM. It is our 15th anniversary this year and it promises to be the best one yet. This live, annual and highly interactive careers showcase event has promoted STEAM-related career opportunities to thousands of young people, educators and families. Taking place on 19th and 20th March 2025 at Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham, it will be filled with fun and interactive exhibits from both local and national employers, to showcase their businesses, their industries and their employment opportunities.
The Work-wise Foundation was founded in 2011, by three friends: John Barber, Janice Richardson and Jackie Freeborn, as an employer-led initiative for engineering, manufacturing and other related sectors.
The charity has now delivered over 10,000 work-related experiences for young people and adults in South Yorkshire.
To find out more, visit: www.northstarscienceschool.co.uk; www.getuptospeed.org.uk; and www.work-wise.co.uk.