Royal Institution receives new funding to support engagement with schools in disadvantaged areas
The Royal Institution (Ri) has received new funding that will enable a significant increase in its charitable support for schools in disadvantaged areas, it was announced today.
Global private investment firm Bain Capital has pledged support totalling £70,000 for the Ri’s Science in Schools Programme during the 2021-22 academic year. The funding will enable the Ri to offer fully-funded visits from professional science presenters, to 70 schools that benefit from additional support to engage with science.
The Ri’s Science in Schools programme uses professional science presenters to ignite an interest in science through live sessions focusing on chemistry and physics. Each visit also includes continuing professional development sessions for science teachers.
Bain Capital’s funding will be available in the 2021-22 school year and will increase the Ri’s free engagement through science in schools.
Lucinda Hunt, Director of the Ri, said: “Supporting our children to begin a lifelong journey with science develops confident, skilled, and questioning adults, helping to ensure scientific discoveries and advances are applied for the wider benefit of everyone in society.
“As the largest provider of science shows in schools in the UK, we are always seeking to extend the support we are able to offer to schools that might not otherwise have the opportunity.
“So, we are delighted, and extremely grateful, that Bain Capital have chosen to join the Ri’s community of supporters, helping to spark a passion for science in our young people, many of whom will be the leading scientists of tomorrow.”
Robin Marshall, Co-Head at Bain Capital Europe, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the Ri’s Science in Schools programme, which represents an outstanding opportunity for children and teachers in schools throughout the UK, to engage with science.
“The Ri’s commitment to increase opportunities for schools in disadvantaged areas aligns perfectly with our own social impact objectives, and the professionally delivered combination of excitement and discovery for children, and professional development for teachers, is exactly the kind of educational resource that we are seeking to support.”
The Ri’s Science in Schools Programme sees professional science presenters deliver three shows during a day-long visit to schools throughout the UK – two shows for pupils during the school day and a third, in the evening, for parents and the wider school community – encouraging an interest in science in the home, that supports educational achievement at school.
Continuing Professional Development sessions for teachers are also included, in particular to increase confidence in practical demonstrations, for which the Ri has been renowned for more than 220 years.
Bain Capital joins The Gillespie Endowment in supporting the Science in Schools Programme, with the funding enabling visits to schools that applied during an application round earlier this year.
ENDS
For more information please contactRobert Davies in the Ri press office:+44 (0)20 7670 2991 /rdavies@ri.ac.uk