The Science on Stage festival, happening from Monday, 12 August to Thursday, 15 August 2024, showcases a dynamic exchange of educational ideas, with teachers from more than 30 countries participating.

Science on Stage provides a European platform for science and STEM teachers to exchange teaching concepts and to share ideas. Since 1st January 2019, the ASE has hosted the UK's National Steering Committee (NSC) for Science on Stage UK. 

An 18-member team is representing the UK, featuring educators from Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England. They are presenting innovative teaching projects that align with the festival’s themes, such as "STEM for the Youngest," "Low-Cost Experiments in STEM Education," and "STEM Education for Sustainable Development." These themes provide opportunities for delegates to engage with and learn from peers across Europe.

On the first day of the festival, Pauliina Rajala, the Science and Innovation Officer at the British Embassy in Helsinki, met with the UK team and toured the festival fair, exploring the various projects they are presenting. Among these projects, several UK delegates are also leading workshops, including:

• Colleen Reesink-Wells and Paula Egan: Replacing Plastics: Investigations into Making Natural Polymers.
• Rose Edmondson: Magnificent Moss.
• Adrian Allan (alongside Rute Oliveira from Portugal): The Science Behind Magic.

These workshops highlight the practical, creative approaches UK educators are taking to enhance STEM education, emphasizing sustainability, natural materials, and innovative scientific concepts. Further details about all the projects can be accessed here.

STEM Teacher Award 

Later on during the festival, Colleen Reesink-Wells was awarded a European STEM Teacher Award for Sustainable Development. Well done to Colleen!