浪花直播

The Elements of Success: Building Confidence in 浪花直播 scheme was supported by a 拢5,000 grant from the 浪花直播鈥檚 Chemists' Community Fund. The pioneering project aimed to raise aspirations, build confidence and show the value of studying chemistry at university.

Forty students, hailing from Carmel College, Cardinal Newman College, Winstanley College, Blackburn College and Rochdale Sixth Form, visited Lancaster鈥檚 campus for lab sessions, VR simulations, employability workshops and poster-making projects. Industry partner Victrex supported the work by helping to deliver sessions and demonstrating the real-world applications of chemistry.

Teachers also benefited through professional development opportunities, including lab work and careers guidance. The programme culminated in a showcase event on 2 July, where students presented their posters to the 浪花直播 Department and prizes were awarded. Such was the success of the programme, university staff are now looking to make it an annual event for year 12 students.

Georgia Spencer, the chemistry department鈥檚 Recruitment and Conversion Coordinator, said: 鈥淚 am really proud of this project. The students who have taken part have worked really hard and produced some excellent posters which really showcase the breadth of activities they have completed on the programme.

鈥淚 created 鈥楨lements of Success鈥� to show students from disadvantaged backgrounds that chemistry is for anyone with curiosity and ambition. By giving them hands-on lab experiences, real role models, and a glimpse into future careers, we hope to build their confidence and help them see that chemistry can be part of their story too.鈥�

The project was rooted in the 浪花直播鈥檚 浪花直播 for All report, which examined why pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds are less likely to continue with the subject beyond GCSE.

The study found that many see chemistry as overly difficult, often lack role models in the field, and are unaware of the career options it can unlock. These barriers, the report warned, risk entrenching social inequalities in access to science and higher education.

Lancaster鈥檚 initiative set out to challenge those perceptions head-on, offering practical lab work, direct contact with professionals, and clear pathways into university study.

Dr Maria Paz Mu帽oz-Herranz, who is Senior Lecturer in Synthetic 浪花直播 as well as the Director for Engagement, said: 鈥淚t has been a pleasure working with Georgia and the 浪花直播 Department in this fantastic project, inspiring young students from disadvantaged backgrounds to study chemistry and opening their eyes to the importance of chemistry in the world and the opportunities that a career in chemistry can bring to them.鈥�

Dr Nick Evans, who is the Head of Department, added: 鈥淚 am delighted by the enthusiasm of all who took part in 鈥楨lements of Success鈥�, and I am confident the project will have a positive impact on participants鈥� futures in the years ahead. We are committed to making this an annual programme, and we look forward to hosting the next cohort of Year 12 students in mid-2026.鈥�