PACE kids show they can engineer a great future
Group uses drama for youngsters to learn about world of work
Children got stuck into one of the most adventurous workshops ever at Paisley’s PACE youth theatre.
The company teamed up with the town’s university and launched a partnership to deliver an interactive, dramabased workshop which was hoped would inspire primary school children to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
The event was dubbed Engineering Wonder and was aimed at children between the ages of seven and 12.
It explored gender- based stereotypes and how to challenge them through creative drama performances.
Researchers from the University of the West of Scotland’s Schools of Media, Culture and Society and Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences are behind the initiative, led by Professor Katarzyna Kosmala.
She said: “There is no time like the present to look to the younger generation to make a real difference and increase the adoption of STEM careers.
“Although STEM job opportunities are expanding, more can be done to effectively recruit and retain minority populations and women in STEM.
“I truly believe adding arts to STEM education is the key to its success.”
At the event, young people got the chance to play a part in the drama performances, design posters, and discuss what engineers or scientists really do.
They also learned about local heroines who had a real impact in the field of engineering, including Dorothée Pullinger, who designed a car for women, built by women engineers, and who trained as an apprentice in Paisley before the First World War.
Jenni Mason, artistic director of PACE said: “Drama can be a really useful tool to provoke discussion and get young people to think differently, and so we’re really pleased to be partnering with UWS on this project.”
The workshop was funded by Paisley 2021’s Culture, Heritage and Events Fund and the Royal Academy of Engineering Ingenious Award. Ice Cream Architecture facilitated the event.