A WELL-KNOWN TV personality will help make learning fun for thousands of schoolchildren as a series of exciting interactive science shows make a return to live audiences after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Scientist, presenter and author Simon Watt is bringing his popular Ready, Steady Science Show to West Cumbria for three days in September as part of REACT Foundation’s free Live Science Shows aimed at local primary schools.
The Foundation, created by Cleator-Moor based REACT Engineering in 2004 to raise aspirations of young people and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, held its annual shows online last year due to coronavirus restrictions, but volunteers are delighted to be able to again welcome special guests to entertain and educate local pupils.
Watt is well-known across the UK for bringing humour and fun to his teaching, and is the author of popular children’s science book Ugly Animals: We Can’t All Be Pandas.
He has featured on several TV and radio programmes, and his Ready, Steady Science Show has proved a big hit with audiences across the country due to its highly interactive and informative format.
All activities hosted by the Foundation, which include ICanToo programmes with local schools and a midweek REACTioneers evening club for young children, are run by unpaid volunteers, and the charity recently received the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service due to its excellent work in the community.
The team at REACT Foundation, which has worked with more than 80,000 pupils since it was established, are excited that the well-known TV scientist has agreed to visit the area.
Pete Woolaghan, chair of REACT Foundation, said: “It’s great that we can once again host our popular live science shows. Last year’s online shows were a great success and we’re pleased they went ahead, but being able to host them face to face will be brilliant for the children.
“REACT Engineering formed the Foundation to make science as accessible to as many young people as possible, and to inspire them about what they can achieve, our live shows are a great example of how we can achieve this.
“Having someone with Simon’s personality and charisma – somebody whom the children may recognise from the TV as someone who is funny and silly – teaching them things that will stick with them for life is really exciting for all involved.
“This is shaping up to be one of our best live science shows yet, and we are really looking forward to seeing the children interact with Simon and the engaging science activities he will bring to West Cumbria.”
Phil Redfern, managing director of REACT Engineering, said: “The live science shows are always among the highlights of the year, and it is so rewarding to see the reaction from the schoolchildren.
“We’re really glad to be able to bring them back to a live audience, and we can’t wait to see Simon in action and making learning fun for all.”
Watt will also launch and host the first REACT Foundation Secondary Schools Big Science Quiz of the Year, where West Cumbrian pupils will battle it out online against each other for the title of Science Quiz champion.
The annual Live Secondary Science Shows have been postponed until 2022.
The Live Primary Science Shows will be held on September 21-23, and participating schools have been contacted by REACT Foundation directly.
