On Saturday 25th January, a Saturday science club for 4 to 11 year-olds launched in Basildon as part of Essex 2020 celebrations.
Let Off STEAM is free to attend with an optional £3 donation and runs regularly on the last Saturday of every month from 4.30-6.30pm.
Dr Hephzi Tagoe, who is a STEM Ambassador and runs the club with a team of volunteers, has been organising and supporting outreach and public engagement with science events in the borough since 2014. A pilot event was first held in 2018 at the George Hurd Centre and this move is in response to demand for a regular out of school hands on science activities club that kids can engage with. “What better time to launch a regular club than the year marking all things art and science across Essex”!
Let Off Steam events are run under the science education charity, GhScientific with funding for the first phase from the Big Lottery, British Science Association and the Biochemical Society. Volunteers are recruited from local secondary schools giving the young people training opportunities and an outlet to develop soft skills through engaging with the kids at the club.
“Kids have unfiltered, curious and active imaginations with lots of energy to explore their world. Let off steam is providing a creative environment where kids can let go and explore whilst developing their science capital”
Dr Hephzi Tagoe
To find out more about getting involved, contact Hephzi on 07904 064299 or email admin@ghscientific.com