News / disability
New podcast to ignite STEM interest in young people with disabilities
A local social enterprise has joined forces with a national charity to launch a Science Tech Engineering Maths (STEM) oriented podcast designed and presented by young people with disabilities and neurodivergence.
Inclusive Change At Work CIC has worked in tandem with Lightyear Foundation to bring Squar3roots to the airwaves.
Squar3roots is co-created with young people from across Bristol, including pupils from Venturers Academy, with the aim of igniting and nurturing engagement with the STEM sector.
is needed now More than ever
A recent survey found out that the statistics are moving in the right direction but there is still work to be done to redress the balance of diversity in the sector.
According to the AdvanceHE report, the percentage of STEM students with known disabilities has more than doubled from 7.5 per cent in 2007/8 to 15.5 per cent in 2018/19.
It’s finally here! On Monday, we launched Squar3roots podcast, our new podcast which explores the science, technology, engineering, and maths which is relevant and personal to disabled and neurodivergent young people. pic.twitter.com/AkoQcqy8l9
— Lightyear Foundation (@lightyear_fdn) July 31, 2024
Lucy Smith, the charity’s founder, believes the podcast is a vital step in opening up prospective career paths in STEM for young people with disabilities.
The weekly podcast was launched at the Village Hotel in Filton on Monday, July 29, where podcast contributors, their family and friends, mentors and representatives from both Inclusive Change At Work and Lightyear Foundation were all present.
Lucy Smith said the new project underlines Inclusive Change At Work’s commitment to “enhance work experience, employability skills, and develop a talent pool for employers.”
In 2023 alone, Lightyear Foundation engaged with over 840 disabled and neurodivergent children and young people through their education programmes, and over 350 practitioners through their Special Educational Needs (SEN) in STEM Network and training and consultancy initiatives.
Squar3roots launch event in Filton was attended by the friends and family of the co-creators of the new STEM podcast
Rosie Mellors, Lightyear Foundation’s community manager, said: “All too often, we attempt to engage young people with STEM without including them in the process.
“By co-creating this podcast where the young people lead the conversations, we’re highlighting topics such as music and cars, where young people are already engaging with STEM, perhaps without even realising it. We’re all scientists already!”
Lou Temlett, director of Inclusive Change at Work, said: “It has been such a pleasure supporting the project, seeing highly engaged young people talking about what they find most interesting in the world, with passion and enthusiasm.”
Lakhile, one of the pod co-creators, performed Made It Through from his album at the launch, to a standing ovation
The podcast was unveiled during the event, including excerpts from the first episode featuring presenter Lakhile interviewing his music teacher Alphonso.
Lakhile is a multi-skilled musician who has recently released an album. The interview included technical aspects of music production and the converging points of the pair’s musical journeys.
Much to the delight of attendees Lakhile performed the track Made It Through from his album, to a standing ovation.
The event also included an award ceremony for the podcast guests and hosts, and concluded with a science demonstration led by host Chloe.
The launch event finished with a series of scientific demonstrations with the participation of attendees
Squar3roots is made possible with funding from the National Grid Community Matters Fund. It is available on all major podcast platforms.
All photos: Bhagesh Sachania Photography / Lightyear Foundation
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