THE creators of Bright Sparks, a unique STEM education project from Theatr Clwyd and Bangor University, have praised the impacts of the programme in Welsh schools with an estimated 1,200 students set to be reached by the initiative this year, an increase of 600 from last year.

Produced by Theatr Clwyd for Bangor University’s Reaching Wider Partnership, Bright Sparks brings the joy of theatre into the classroom to support Key Stage 2 (7-11-year-olds) get to grips with science and maths.

Brought to life by two actors from the theatre, a ‘normal’ school science workshop is suddenly interrupted by Professor Sparky and his niece Erica.

Erica wants to be a professor but so far has failed all her STEM exams.

With the aid of the pupils, the two challenge the class to help Erica pass her exam by completing various, high-energy problem-solving tasks, games and experiments.

The programme has been funded by the ScottishPower Foundation since 2018.

Through this funding, the initiative has extended its reach by 50 per cent and expanded to include Welsh-speaking schools this year.

Touring primary schools in Mid and North Wales this autumn, the two-hour interactive workshop aims to educate, excite and inspire pupils about the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The Reaching Wider initiative is a Wales-wide scheme that aims to increase participation in higher education from groups and communities in Wales, where participation is low, by creating a wide range of study opportunities and learning pathways to higher education.

Paula Griffiths, from Bangor University’s Reaching Wider Partnership, was crucial to the research and development of the Bright Sparks programme.

She researched new, innovative ways to deliver STEM education and discovered programmes in America that use performing arts to engage and raise aspirations with young people to consider a career in STEM.

She said: “BrightSparks is an innovative programme which ignites the pupil’s passion to want to learn more about STEM.

The programme encourages creativity and the importance of working together to achieve a goal.

"We are inundated with requests from schools to for us to go back and deliver the sessions which shows the impact it has within the classroom which wouldn’t be possible without the ScottishPower Foundation support.”

Theatr Clwyd director Emyr John added: “Theatr Clwyd is excited to be a part of this project, by igniting the imagination of future generations and opening their eyes to the possibilities available to them through STEM subjects.

"By helping to engage these young people, we hope to inspire a future Marie Curie, or a Brunel, and who knows, even the next Einstein!"

Bright Sparks is directed by Theatr Clwyd’s creative engagement associate Emyr John and is performed by Anni Dafydd and Sion Emyr.