Community Programs
LibraryLAB & Creative KidsLAB
BeScience STEM is a very exciting and innovative movement. We love creating unique programmes for varied audiences. Most of our collaborations/workshops are in the form of a LibraryLab or Creative KidsLAB.
LibraryLAB
LibraryLAB is our award winning program, which had its first pilot in Leicester 2016. The program involves visiting community libraries exploring STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects using our unique, structured, exploration methods. It is mainly catered towards the younger age groups and families, however, the activities are versatile and can be adapted for whomever attends.
On a Saturday, the library being visited is turned into a miniature laboratory, with the support of volunteers from different educational backgrounds. The seven LibraryLAB pilot tour had a great turnout of more than 500 attendees in total, age ranging 3-60+. This tour was supported by O2 Think Big and DMU Square Mile.
If your university or organisation would like to support or collaborate with us to provide a LibraryLAB in your region, please contact us.
The BeScience activity sessions in Leicester Libraries have generated real excitement and interest in science- the overall reaction from both children and parents has been that the sessions were interesting and fun. One quote sums up its success in delivering science in a community setting- ‘I thought it was for proper brainy people but it was great’. This has enabled our libraries to deliver one of our key objectives-Informal Learning Outside School.
— Paul Gobey (Leicester Area Development Manager and Neighborhood Services)
Creative KidsLAB
Creative KidsLAB is our award winning popup workshop held in busy public locations like shopping centres and community centres. They are usually 2 day workshops with a variety of free STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) activities for the whole community to participate in. After the STEM-tastic event the attendees get a funky photo taken as a keepsake which is also usually published on our Facebook page.
Previous events have taken place at Leicester Highcross shopping centre and Brent Cross shopping centre. With this programme being so versatile, we are open to visiting different city venues to enable the BeScience STEM movement to have wider outreach.
CASE STUDY
DMU Square Mile academic year 2015/16
DMU Square Mile is an award winning department at De Montfort University. We worked with them to plan several Creative KidsLAB events and offered students opportunities to volunteer within BeScience STEM programmes.
‘I jumped at the chance to get involved with BeScience STEM through DMU Square Mile. I got to build on my interpersonal skills and it’s something I’m proud to put on my CV’
— Farhannah Ali (Student Volunteer)
CASE STUDY
STEM Zone at LCIL choice event
We had the privilege to plan and provide the STEM zone at the LCIL choice event.
We had several STEM themed activities laid out and our good old skeleton, Fred. A variety of people had fun participating in a type of event not usually freely available to them.
‘I jumped at the chance to get involved with BeScience STEM through DMU Square Mile. I got to build on my interpersonal skills and it’s something I’m proud to put on my CV’
— Farhannah Ali (Student Volunteer)
CASE STUDY
ENGxTECH Creative Kidslab
Sponsored by the Institution of Engineering and Technology, we had the privilege of hosting a collaborative Creative KidsLAB at the BBC Leicester offices focusing on the Engineering and Technology side of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
Get Involved Now
Get involved with our community programs, LibraryLAB and Creative KidsLAB and experience how creativity and learning come alive. Together, we can spark curiosity, inspire imagination, and build a community of lifelong learners!
