The Furness STEM Show aimed to demonstrate the opportunities in STEM, from subsea to electronics, farming to DNA testing, VR to LEDs, pharma to clean energy.  

Pupils learned about catalysts and exothermic reactions, took part in experiments with ferromagnetic fluid and a Tesla Coil Magnet, cracked codes, solved puzzles and navigated mazes. 

Visitors were entertained by Professor Pumpernickel in an action-packed show introducing the children to the world of chemistry and enjoyed space exploration with Lancaster University’s portable planetarium.  

The show was organised by Furness Education & Skills Partnership (FESP) to showcase skills and learning in science, technology, engineering and maths as part of British Science Week.

Neil Tippins, one of the organisers, said: “It is fantastic to see these young people so enthralled in the experiments and activities and we hope they discover that science can fun and lead to a rewarding career.”  

The show was supported by many organisations, such as GSK, Siemens Energy, Kimberly-Clark and many more, who offered hands-on and interactive stands and a variety of engaging activities.

The event was sponsored by BAE Systems, Furness College and the Royal Academy of Engineering and around 1,400 pupils attended from schools across Barrow, Askam, Ulverston and Dalton.

Nicola Cove, Principal & CEO Furness College said “Furness College was delighted to host the 2024 Furness STEM Show, which was the seventh annual festival of all things STEM, hosted with Furness Education and Skills Partnership (FESP).  Over two days in March, over 1400 pupils from 33 primary and secondary schools joined in with a wide range of exciting and interactive activities at our Channelside campus showcasing Science, Technology Engineering and Maths in a hands-on and fun way.  The importance of STEM locally, regionally, and nationally cannot be overstated and we were delighted to have so many local employers and universities collaborating to help young people understand the exciting opportunities available to them now and in the future.  The Furness STEM Show just gets bigger and better every year and I am sure that after talking with young people who attended the Show, a new generation have been inspired to consider STEM subjects and the varied careers available in and within STEM”.