University of St Andrews: Wellcome Trust funding for Cell Block Science programme

Fife, Scotland, 08-Jan-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — Ground-breaking public engagement programme Cell Block Science, led by researchers at the University of St Andrews to deliver informal science learning to prisoners, receives £150k Wellcome Trust funding to roll-out nationwide.

Cell Block Science is a unique public engagement research partnership to promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) in prison learning centres, led by the Biomedical Sciences Research Centre (BSRC) at the University of St Andrews.

The Wellcome Trust funding of £150k will extend the unique initiative to deliver science activities in prison learning centres throughout Scotland over the next two years and extend to six prisons.

Working in partnership with four universities, Fife College, the Scottish Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA), the Children’s University of Scotland, and numerous non-academic partners such as The Royal Zoological Society Scotland, Royal Observatory and TED, the Biomedical Sciences Research Centre will deliver Cell Block Science to a total of six prisons nationwide.

Cell Block Science initially delivered a year-long pilot programme of informal science learning activities in the prison learning centres of HMPYOI Cornton Vale, HMP Shotts and HMP Low Moss led by the Biomedical Sciences Research Centre (BSRC) at the University of St Andrews, in collaboration with New College Lanarkshire.

Activities during the pilot included hands-on science projects, the introduction of a science library and the development of a family learning programme, culminating in a family science fair at HMP Low Moss as part of British Science Week. Sessions included science activities to develop problem solving, independent learning and teamwork skills.

Key statistics

35 researchers delivered sessions from May 2016 to March 2017
270 unique individuals attended the Cell Block Science sessions
200 hours+ of delivery across three Scottish prisons
51% & 69% of all learners at HMP Low Moss and HMP Shotts respectively attended two or more sessions
28 sessions over two prisons carried out from May 2016 to March 2017

By introducing STEM subjects to the curriculum through Cell Block Science, prisoners were provided with a variety of learning opportunities, which inspired wider engagement with learning. The project proved popular and timely and exceeded expectations.

The new national roll-out of this unique initiative will enhance and complement current teaching in numeracy, literacy and arts subjects that takes place in prisons. Dr Mhairi Stewart, Head of Public Engagement with Research at the University of St Andrews and the project lead, explains: “Science and technology play such an important part in the modern world that improving scientific literacy among prisoners and their families will contribute to citizenship and empower individuals with the skills and confidence to make informed decisions on science in the news and science policy that might directly affect them.

“The commitment of our researchers and the enthusiasm of the learners coupled with the professionalism of our delivery partners has made our pilot project a real success leading to an understanding of how much science learning is valued. We look forward to a further two years of delivery nationwide with our new partners.”

Working with the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), Cell Block Science has been written into the Annual Learning Plans for six prisons across Scotland to date indicating SPS’s commitment to exploring the place of informal science learning in the curriculum.

Sharanne Findlay, Governor at HMP Low Moss, said: “The impressive attendance numbers demonstrate that there is appetite for science, technology, engineering and maths subjects. Further education can be a significant contributor to someone’s transformational journey so we are very grateful to our learning providers and the University of St Andrews for giving people the chance to use this as a vehicle to consider that journey in a more positive and confident vein.”

One prisoner who took part in Cell Block Science at HMP Shotts commented:“I feel that this project is one of the most positive things that are happening here in HMP Shotts and I really mean that. Anything that helps to inspire prisoners to engage in education is always going to be a good thing; great things can come from a little inspiration. There is loads of potential in prison going to waste, this talent is there just waiting to be discovered, some of the boys are not aware of their own ability.”

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS / INTERVIEW REQUESTS

Dr Kate Cross from the University of St Andrews School of Psychology and Neuroscience who delivered Cell Block Science and Dr Mhairi Stewart, Head of Public Engagement are available for interview. Please contact the Communications Office – contacts below.

For interviews with the Scottish Prison Service, contact James King, Head of Learning & Skills, Scottish Prison Service on 0131 330 3760 or mobile: 07919303250

St Andrews has an in-house ISDN line for radio and a Globelynx camera for TV interviews. To arrange an interview please contact the Communications Office in the first instance.

Images are available via: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i2mdi57qdb3wzsu/AACcMym0UHfyG5eOf6wEyYbLa?dl=0

About Wellcome

Wellcome exists to improve health for everyone by helping great ideas to thrive. The trust is a global charitable foundation, both politically and financially independent. Wellcome supports scientists and researchers, takes on big problems, fuels imaginations and sparks debate: https://wellcome.ac.uk/

Issued by the University of St Andrews Communications Office. Contact Christine Tudhope on 01334 467 320 or 07526 624 243 or christine.tudhope@st-andrews.ac.uk.

SOURCE: The University of St Andrews