Support the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2024
Our team at Education North Tyneside work closely with the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) to deliver FIRST® LEGO® League programmes across the North East. The IET are a fantastic non-profit organisation who strive to inspire young people to pursue STEM learning and careers and hopefully become the next generation of engineers, and this Christmas you can help, with their Big Give Christmas Challenge.
The IET, through its Futures Fund, has signed up for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2024. They will be fundraising to give more young people the opportunity to experience real-world science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) challenges and valuable life skills that can support them in their future careers.
Mark your calendar and help the IET spread the word from 3-10 December - your donation will have the opportunity to be doubled!
This year the IET received over 6,000 applications from underrepresented groups in STEM that it cannot currently fund. This festive season, help the IET provide hands-on STEM experiences to children through FIRST® LEGO® League Explore and Challenge divisions.
FIRST® LEGO® League is an inspiring, global programme for young people, which develops confidence, problem solving, teamwork and STEM skills all whilst investigating a real-world theme. Your donation will directly enable children aged 6-16 years to explore their interest in engineering and technology.
Why is FIRST® LEGO® League important?
- Inspire future engineers: early STEM education helps break negative stereotypes and
encourages more children to consider careers in engineering and technology. - Hands-on learning: FIRST® LEGO® League provides practical experiences that inspire
and educate young minds. - Address the STEM skills gap: the UK faces a significant STEM skills gap, costing £1.5bn
annually. Only 16.5% of engineers are women, and 11.1% are disabled.
How your donation helps:
- Matched funding: from 3-10 December, you have the opportunity for your donation to be
matched, doubling the impact on children’s STEM education. - Engineering made accessible for all: encourage more young people from all
backgrounds to discover a passion for engineering.
Meet the Penpol Pumpkins
Discover how FIRST® LEGO® League has inspired young innovators like the Penpol Pumpkins.
Mr Woolcock, Head of Computing and Digital Learning at Penpol School believes that the children have a stronger interest in STEM thanks to the competition:
“I think probably two thirds of the team would consider a career in engineering as a result of this competition, while the others want to be inventors, computing teachers and scientists. This competition has allowed them to see that these jobs are possible for them”.
Not all skills can be taught in the classroom and by donating to the Big Give you’re making this learning and life experience possible.
Ready to find out more?
Find out more about the Big Give Christmas Challenge and make a donation.
