Windfall for University’s Science Scheme

Young scientists and engineers in the North East region are being given more chances than ever before to find out more about the worlds of science and engineering thanks to a new grant of £500,000 awarded to the University of Teesside and its national partners. SETPOINT North East was established within the University as a new centre of excellence to deliver science, technology, engineering and mathematics activities across the North East. These activities aim to raise young people’s aspirations to further study and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, providing inspirational encounters with aspects of these subjects.

SETPOINT North East is based in the University’s Centre for Lifelong Learning and runs a variety of nationally-respected initiatives to inspire young people to explore the world of science. SETPOINT activities have become part of the academic calendar for many hundreds of schools across the North East.

The new award, secured via a competitive bidding process from the government’s Aimhigher programme, will allow SETPOINT to roll out its services to even more young people in the North East, and also to offer its services to young people in Yorkshire and the Humber. The University worked with SETPOINT North East’s parent body, SETNET, and the British Association for the Advancement of Science, to secure the funds.

Colin Wilkinson, SETPOINT Director, said: “This funding is a major vote of confidence in the University and its SETPOINT. We’re absolutely delighted that we can use this funding to make a real difference to the aspirations of children across the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. It will allow us to open up the worlds of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and the fascinating careers available in these areas to over 100,000 young people.

“The RAISE programme (Raising Aspirations into Science and Engineering) will also allow us to expand our team to eleven, which is very exciting for the team. A Projects Co-ordinator will help us administer this and other contracts, and an Education Officer will hep us to have closer links to teachers and help to enrich the links between our activities and the National Curriculum. These appointments will guarantee that the children will receive a science–based experience that will compliment their school studies as well as open their eyes to a possible future career in science.”

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