Providing STEM experiences to children and families from disadvantaged communities who might miss out due to economic or social barriers
Year Round
Audience: Local Community
Estimated Reach: 3,500
Partnering with local community hubs, such as libraries and community centres, Edinburgh Science delivers mini-Festivals outside of the city centre bringing free hands-on family activities and pop-up science shows for visitors to enjoy. Events are promoted by the community partners directly to their audiences with marketing support from Edinburgh Science, to ensure they reach people in their communities that don’t typically engage with our work.
In addition to year-round work, just prior to the Festival opening – and before the school holidays begin – primary school pupils from high SIMD areas are invited to enjoy our flagship family workshops free of charge. This is an opportunity for children who wouldn’t normally be able to visit the Festival to explore the wonders of interactive science. Also during the Festival, community groups are invited to visit for guided visits, ensuring that the Edinburgh Science Festival is made accessible to everyone.
Coming to communities is vitally important to ensure opportunities are available to all children
Parent attending Wester Hailes Mini-Festival
The Impact
People from disadvantaged communities encounter significant barriers that prevent or discourage them from engaging in science-related activities. Barriers are not just physical but systemic, with people perceiving science as male, middle class, neurotypical and able-bodied. This lack of variety reflects and reinforces social inequalities.
Edinburgh Science is proud to challenge these perceptions and show that science is not something to fear but something accessible, that everyone can engage with. By fostering an interest in STEM, we equip people with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions around issues including health, politics, environment and their communities, enhancing their role as active citizens to help build a fairer and more inclusive STEM-literate society.
Making Science Accessible
We use the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) as guidance when decided the local communities we work with, making sure we focus our outreach on areas with higher deprivation. Our outreach projects are always free to access to ensure there is no financial barrier and for Festival visits, appropriate travel and food are offered as well as a guide to ensure a visit is easy and incurs no additional costs.
How You Can Help
Play a role in breaking down barriers to STEM by sponsoring our community engagement programme and receive branding on our website, across Edinburgh Science projects including the Science Festival, complimentary tickets to events, exclusive invites and more.
Sponsorship opportunities begin from £7,500 +VAT
Click the button below to contact Hannah Schlesinger, Director of Development, for more information.
