A celebration of books and reading might conjure images of perhaps children dressed as their favourite fictional characters, rather than conducting a science experiment. But did you know reading can have significant benefits for learning science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects too? (Check out our blog on that very topic.)
The Reading Agency, working with renowned children’s writer and presenter Konnie Huq, is celebrating this strong connection between literacy and STEM by holding practical science workshops in libraries in Merseyside, as part of British Science Week! Konnie will deliver the workshops at Widnes Library and Halton Lea Library on Saturday 12 March, during the first weekend of British Science Week, running this year from 11-20 March. They will be run for local families, and are part of the Reading Sparks programme, which aims to build confidence in STEM subjects through reading.
The workshops will draw on Konnie’s Cookie! Book series about a girl’s adventures into science, accessible reads featuring sketches and comic books with hands-on activities for children. Konnie will talk through her books, animating the workshops with quizzes, challenges, experiments and discussions around the science, the environment and coding. Children will also have the opportunity to ask Konnie questions and receive signed copies of her books!
Karen Napier, the CEO of The Reading Agency said of their Reading Sparks programme that it is “demonstrating the role that reading can play in sparking a passion for science in young people.” She continued to express delight that Konnie is supporting the project “and spreading the joy of reading and science to local families in Halton during British Science Week.”
Jane Dowden, Education Innovations Manager at the British Science Association echoed Karen’s thoughts on the importance and power of reading to engage children with STEM, and added:
“With thousands of events and activities taking place across the UK, British Science Week is a perfect time to explore young people’s passion for reading AND science, which is why I’m thrilled that Konnie Huq has agreed to take part in these workshops as part of the Week.”