Illuminating Space Science Engagement in low science capital communities: Blackpool, Lancashire, UK

摘要

Funded by the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council, Blackpool PIER (Physics: Inspire, Engage, Research) is an intensive, three-year longitudinal programme working with a targeted group of young people in an area of high deprivation in the North West of England. The project aims to increase the participants' science capital via a series of interventions including school visits and trips based on space science. The work includes a regular evaluation programme to provide a sound evidence base of the efficacy of such interventions, which are benchmarked against results from the UK national ASPIRES survey. Some evidence has been found that even after one year of the programme, the interventions have increased the student's positive attitude towards science. However, it is still the case that only a quarter of them want to become scientists themselves. The programme for years two and three is highlighted along with the importance of engaging with parents/carers to address the key role of a family's science capital in a pupil's science aspirations.