BLAST - Blackbird Leys Astronomy, Science and Technology days

The Pitch

Problem statement

Blackbird Leys is a southeast Oxford neighbourhood in the 20% most deprived areas nationally. It consistently places poorly in educational, crime and life-expectancy statistics. Youth aspirations are typically low and not everyone in this area has strong science, social and cultural capital -- this is the personal collection of knowledge, attitudes, experiences and resources that an individual builds up through their life, the transferability of which can 'open doors' to careers, contribute to healthy democracy and support socioeconomic mobility. IF Oxford captures interest as a trusted way for people to develop meaningful conversations and learn new skills.

Solution

IF Oxford's educational activities, connect ideas in creative ways, developing individual skills and enriching society, especially with people who may think ‘science is not for me’. The Festival has worked closely with the Blackbird Leys community centre and youth clubs for four years, making sure science and educational content is appealing and relevant to them, crucially connecting young people with positive role models. We are developing develop youth projects for October half term which starts on the last day of the Festival.The Leys youth club is keen to plan a science week with our help, but we have limited funds to do this.

Why are we best placed to deliver?

IF Oxford works with 500 researchers and innovators from 60 organisations from every imaginable area of science and culture; from the chemistry of cooking, to ecology and the natural world, with materials engineers and researchers generating new forms of energy. We work with choreographers, chefs, comedians, poets and visual artists to find meaningful ways to connect creativity through activities that transcend age, geography, ethnicity, social class. Our aim is that conversations continue within friendship or family groups during and outside of Festival events. Over 9 in 10 people give personal recommendations about the Festival and say that IF Oxford is good or great!

Focus Areas

Delivery plan

Budget breakdown

Beneficiaries

400 people

Expected impact

Young people and their families will have access to positive role models and engaging science themes while developing skills and emotional connections in ways that are meaningful to them. We expect to see attitudinal changes to educational topics and a greater awareness of potential career options. We are likely to see increases in confidence and would like to bring onboard youth views into planning future topics that extend the range of topics and formats we use (eg. more music-making projects, more cooking workshops to explore chemistry and health, more science fiction to explore engineering). We hope to build a stronger sense of community identity and pride within the area, and would like to see the reputation of this neighbourhood be seen by others as ‘can do’ so that in the future, more cultural projects are embedded within this part of Oxford.

Track record

In 2019 IF Oxford developed a one-day activity that used Black Panther as a way to explore science and engineering: 300 people came to this, organised with the local technical college and community centre. It hosted state of the art and future technologies with university and industry role models. Visitors got up close and hands-on with engineering, forensics and coding in several family workshops. Outside, Iron Age metal smelting brought the alchemy and magic of chemical processes to life. “A brilliant day. My children and I enjoyed it so much. Thank you!” (47, 9, 5) Smaller projects include a music activity where 13 year-old Cameron (pseudonym), shared experiences of complex mental health difficulties that included self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Cameron began to channel his feelings into his music and developed a powerful song. Care home staff noticed a change in Cameron’s behaviour; rather than shouting, he went to his room to write when he was feeling upset and not self-harm.

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