Fun with science at Crawley STEM in the Park

Now in its fifth year, the event on Saturday May 14 in the Memorial Gardens is mixture of fun, hands-on science-based activities and information for young people on careers in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

There will be lizards, snakes and other reptiles available to handle and scientists from Crawley-based firm CGG will show the advanced technology involved in geophysics.

The Science Museum will also be on hand with their travelling science show.

The University of Kingston will bring their mobile ‘Lab in a Lorry’, Sussex will be having fun and games with maths, while the University of Brighton will demonstrate biology for younger children and ask ‘Is university for you?’.

The day will help young people and their parents explore the world of STEM by experiencing at first hand some explosive science and inspiring technology.

Scientists and engineers from local organisations will be available to give careers and apprenticeships advice.

STEMfest project manager Jo McKinney-Green said: “There are many highly-skilled jobs in and around Crawley, but large numbers of people commute from out of town. STEM in the Park, and Crawley STEMfest in general, is a fun way of making all the family aware of the training and careers available locally.”

Among other organisations involved in what will be a noisy and entertaining celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths are Northbrook College, Manor Green College, Siemens, the British Society of Geomorphology and the Royal Veterinary College.

Crawley STEMfest 2016 is organised by STEM Sussex, the STEM outreach support department at the University of Brighton, in partnership with Crawley Borough Council and Central Sussex College.

The event will run from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free.