Siemens Launches Major Science Sponsorship Project

Siemens has just launched The Curiosity Project, a three-year engagement programme which aims to broaden its existing investment to bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to life in the UK. For the next three years, as part of the Curiosity Project, Siemens will support five major science related festivals throughout the UK, each with a clear ambition to reach out to parents, teachers and students to make the world of science available in a fun and engaging way.

The Curiosity Project by Siemens also supports The Prince’s Teaching Institute Residential for Mathematics and Science. This will enable Heads of Departments from state secondary schools across the country to benefit from up to date knowledge, resources and ideas. Furthermore, the project will incorporate a sponsorship of ‘International Images for Science’ photography competition and touring exhibition run by the Royal Photographic Society. 

Siemens will also conduct a research programme throughout the term of the project, to quantify the impact upon a young person’s understanding of engineering that a business engaging with parents, students and teachers can have.

The investment is in response to engineering companies needing 1.86 million people with engineering skills from 2010-2020. Therefore the UK needs to double the numbers of engineering related apprentices and graduates coming out of colleges and universities. To support this, the UK needs to double the number of young people studying GCSE physics as part of triple sciences and grow the number of students studying physics A level to match those of maths.*

Siemens will also increase its free online engineering education resources launched in 2013 as part of this project www.siemens.co.uk/education. Aimed at the UK’s 21,000 primary and 5,000 secondary schools, the resources have already been rolled out to 5,000 schools across the country in its first year with the aim of reaching 4.5 million pupils by 2016.

Juergen Maier, Chief Executive, Siemens plc said: “I’m extremely proud that Siemens is engaging young students, teachers and parents all across the UK both in and out the classroom, unlocking the exciting potential of a career in engineering. I am confident that Siemens and our partners in this area can make a significant difference, and via our research, we intend to prove it.”

Imran Khan, Chief Executive of the British Science Association, said: “We are really excited about our partnership with Siemens, as headline sponsor of the British Science Festival.  Their support has enabled us to run a science and careers in action zone for the first time this year. We want to inspire a generation to be comfortable with science, whether they end up working in science or not.  Working with Siemens will help us to challenge stereotypes of people working in science, allowing us to highlight inspiring mentors, exciting careers and fascinating research and technology.”

Sir Paul Nurse, incoming President of the British Science Association, said: “It is very good to see big corporations, such as Siemens, becoming engaged with the public over science and supporting organisations like the British Science Association and other initiatives in the sector.  Through such public engagement, Siemens will enable the BSA to celebrate the role of - and strengthen its own links with – industry; raise the profile of the range of careers available to young people; and hopefully inspire a new generation of innovators, researchers and engineers. I am looking forward to seeing the impact that Siemens’ new sponsorship programme has on the UK’s future economy and workforce.” 

Chris Pope, Co-Director, The Prince’s Teaching Institute, said: “We are proud to be part of Siemens’ Curiosity Project. The Prince's Teaching Institute has long worked to support and inspire teachers, as we believe that passionate and knowledgeable teachers are the key to unlocking curiosity and ambition, and thereby transform a young person’s life. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Siemens to help create a transformation in maths and science learning in classrooms across the country. Siemens’ support will enable us to reach over 150,000 children.”

The Curiosity Project by Siemens encompasses the following: 

• Sponsorship of 4 major UK Science festivals until 2017:
  • British Science Festival
  • Manchester Science Festival
  • Edinburgh International Science Festival
  • The Times Cheltenham Science Festival 
• Sponsorship of Manchester International Festival 2015
• Sponsorship of Royal Photographic Society “images for Science” competition and touring exhibition at locations throughout the year
• 3 year research programme with students, teachers and parents
• Sponsorship of up to 1,600 state school teachers to benefit from The Prince's Teaching Institute programmes, inspiring more effective and rigorous teaching in Maths and Science. www.princes-ti.org.uk
  
• Continuation of existing sponsorship of The Big Bang Fair (75,000 school visitors over 4 days)
• Continuation of existing sponsorship of Greenpower electric car challenge (600 schools and 10,000 students – 60% more engaged with STEM after taking part)
• Continuation of existing sponsorship of the Museum of Science & Industry, MOSI 
• Continuation of existing sponsorship of ‘atmosphere: exploring climate science’ at the Science Museum in London (until 2015)
• Continued investment into the interactive exhibition at  the Crystal; a Siemens initiative in Newham, London