A former Hampstead School pupil inspired by a career in biology and a Golders Green nursery teacher have launched a programme to make science “an experience” for children in hope of inspiring them to take an interest in science technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
A former Hampstead School pupil inspired by a career in biology and a Golders Green nursery teacher have launched a programme to make science "an experience" for children.
Biology graduate James Woods-Segura, 28, and his partner, teacher Siobhan McDade, 30, hope to inspire kids to take an interest in science technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.
The couple came up with the scheme, which works with primary school age children to develop a love for science.
James, who lives in Queen's Park but was brought up in Kilburn and attended the Westbere Road school, told this newspaper he wanted to help kids fall in love with the subjects through his Little Scientists scheme.
He said: "It's an initiative we started over a year ago now. I'm just a civil servant. I was always upset that I didn't engage with science before my degree. There was nothing in my childhood that led me to engage with it. I was 18 when I first used a pipette! The idea is to get children into science in a practical way. It's completely different to what's out there."
James explained that, after a year of running classes after school and in church halls, the duo are looking to expand, and are working with councils to offer classes as part of the curriculum.
Little Scientists Club also offers 'Science Boxes' which contain equipment for children to carry out simple experiments at home.
James added: "We have been creative in the way we combine simple ingredients to introduce children to the three branches of science and the principles of STEM. We delve into the chemistry of slime making and use our slime to explore the physical properties of mucus and its role in protecting us from germs.
"Additionally, we make sure we give children the opportunity to witness completely new and extremely fascinating things including dry ice and jaw-dropping chemical reactions. James said families had even travelled from outside of London to attend classes, and that, although "a lot of stuff might in the end go over their heads", the practical activities the children got involved in "have been designed to inspire awe and wonder".
He said the classes all corresponded to the early years and Key Stage 1 curriculum.
To find out more, see littlescientistsclub.co.uk
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