Lightyear Foundation exists to support disabled and neurodivergent children and young people to engage with STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). We are in the process of developing a new Strategic Plan, which will direct our work over the next 5-10 years, and we would value your input. We are engaging a wide range of young people and adults in developing this strategy, and as part of this, during next week we will be conducting a series of polls, to find out your views about the inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent people in STEM. Please look out for our polls on Monday, Wednesday and Friday next week and like and share this post, to help spread the word!
Lightyear Foundation
Civic and Social Organizations
Breaking down barriers to get more disabled people interacting with and into STEM!
About us
Lightyear Foundation is a scientific charity devoted to changing the public perception of science through the promotion of scientific knowledge and understanding, innovation and encouraging people to be curious about the world around them. By means of partnerships between UK and overseas communities, schools, institutions and other organisations, the Lightyear Foundation wants to convey that all challenges can be turned into opportunities through the application of science. We believe everybody should have the opportunity to unlock their potential, solve problems and engage with science. We are a free-wheeling, hard-working group of social entrepreneurs committed to seeing change happen. If you care about the same things as us, check out our website, then join us!
- Website
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http://www.lightyearfoundation.org
External link for Lightyear Foundation
- Industry
- Civic and Social Organizations
- Company size
- 11-50 employees
- Headquarters
- London
- Type
- Nonprofit
- Founded
- 2010
- Specialties
- science communication, public education, entrepreneurship, and innovation
Locations
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Primary
Diverse Location
London, GB
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Faculty of Science
Greater Accra, GH
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Kumasi National University of Science and Technology
Kumasi, GH
Employees at Lightyear Foundation
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Emma Diserens
STEM Partnership Programme Manager at Lightyear Foundation
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Peter Roberts
Trustee/Chair at Lightyear Foundation
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Hannah-Rose Ford Tomlinson
Freelance Science Communicator | Senior Audience Researcher at Science Museum Group
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Rosie Mellors
Community Management | Culture Development | Inclusive Leadership | Coaching and Mentoring | Training and Development
Updates
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Have you tuned in to episode three of Squar3roots Podcast yet? In “The magic of science with Chloe”, Chloe discusses her passion for STEM with Rosie. Chloe was "attracted" to science from a young age, and tells us how she shared this love with the staff and students at her hospital school. Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/dbFpBmsg Spotify: https://lnkd.in/dHtT9BBK YouTube: https://lnkd.in/d95iXCgT [Image description: A double Zoom screen with Rosie and Chloe looking at the camera]
The magic of science with Chloe
https://www.youtube.com/
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Thank you so much for this funding!
The PA Foundation is pleased to announce funding for 12 new charitable organisations in the UK and US through the Ingenious Investment Fund. Aligning with the Foundation’s mission, these organisations are focused on providing ingenious solutions within education, skills and careers for underserved groups. https://ow.ly/7IRv50SVPMH Bristol Creative Industries, Kinetic Foundation, Lightyear Foundation, Native Scientists, New Hampshire Afterschool Network, Onwards & Upwards, Rackets Cubed, Teach A Man To Fish, Jon Egging Trust, UNDESTRUCTABLE, Zero Gravity, Red Balloon Learner Centre Cambridge
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Rosie is hosting this week's Squar3roots Podcast episode, as she couldn't pass up the opportunity to chat to Chloe about her love of STEM and Science communication. At the Squar3roots Podcast launch party, Chloe told attendees she "firmly believe[s] that everyone should have the opportunity to explore and engage with STEM" and "Lightyear Foundation provided the perfect platform for me to pursue this passion" Rosie couldn't pass up the opportunity to interview Chloe for episode three of Squar3roots Podcast, which is available tonight at 6pm on all your favourite platforms. If you've subscribed/followed, remember to rate/review each episode! https://lnkd.in/ey5uwVCM Apple podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eHQyjhci Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eXsmkQjJ YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eKAmzt2D [Image description Image 1: Several people are sat at round tables in a conference room clapping. In the foreground we see two people smiling broadly as everyone looks in the same direction at something off camera. Image 2. Chloe from the podcast is wearing science goggles and conducting an experiment with science equipment on a table. A man in glasses watches on] All photographs © Bhagesh Sachania Photography
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Have you tuned in to episode two of Squar3roots Podcast yet? In “Driving into STEM with Dylan”, Dylan discusses his passion for cars with his new science teacher, Eddie. Dylan’s love of cars is incredibly impressive - he can even identify the model of a car from the sound of its engine! Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ewn98xxC Spotify: https://lnkd.in/e33DryMM YouTube: https://lnkd.in/esXRzkcU [Image description: A double Zoom screen with Dylan and Eddie facing the camera. Dylan is wearing headphones]
E002: Driving into STEM with Dylan
https://www.youtube.com/
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It’s been a week since the Squar3roots podcast launch party and I think Rosie has just about recovered! It was a lovely event which invited past and future podcast hosts to celebrate the launch of the podcast. There was lots of cheering, applause, and new friends made! Some of us even shed a tear or two. Episode two, “Driving into STEM with Dylan” is launching this evening at 6pm - subscribe to the podcast on your favourite platform and get your notifications on so you don’t miss out! https://lnkd.in/esniePfr Apple podcasts: https://lnkd.in/exnZQunM Spotify: https://lnkd.in/evxXDs2Z YouTube: https://lnkd.in/e78_C2kQ Many thanks also to Bhagesh Sachania Photography for the wonderful photos of the launch event! Bhagesh Sachania [Image description: Image 1. A conference room with people sitting and standing chatting, we can see a large screen with 'Welcome' written on it. Image 2. Peoples hands are reaching into the centre of the image where someone is holding a flower and we can see dry ice around it. We can see them smiling in wonder. Image 3. People are sitting at a conference table. One person is leaning back in surprise as we see a puff of smoke that has been blown out of a funnel by a man in a black T-shirt. Image 4. Four people are seen smiling at the camera whilst holding up certificates. Image 5. People are sitting at tables in a conference room, looking at a person speaking at the front and a large projection screen] All photographs © Bhagesh Sachania Photography / Lightyear Foundation
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Have you tuned in to episode one of Squar3roots Podcast yet? In “Hitting all the right notes with Lakhile”, Lakhile discusses his passion for music with his music therapist, Alphonso. We had the pleasure of meeting Lakhile at the podcast’s launch party on Monday, and his energy and enthusiasm was absolutely contagious. His performance of his own song, Made it Through https://lnkd.in/eaCAhd9k had the whole room clapping and singing! https://lnkd.in/ejBFkRTN Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/ehwk6PwF Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eWPb6bCd YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eTs7JBEF Alphonso Archer [Image description: A double Zoom screen with Lakhile and Alphonso facing the camera. Both of them are wearing headphones]
E001: Hitting all the right notes with Lakhile
https://www.youtube.com/
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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. The design, brand, and format was all created in collaboration with young people and we hope you love it as much as we do. You can watch the Squar3roots Podcast showreel here! https://lnkd.in/d6Z9zvmm The podcast can be found on our website https://lnkd.in/dVNAbggy and all your favourite podcast platforms. Remember to subscribe to be notified when the next episode is released. We had an absolute blast at the launch party on Monday and were absolutely delighted to welcome the young people and their supporters. Everyone left smiling from ear to ear. More posts on what we got up to soon! Until then, thank you to Lou Temlett , Inclusive Change At Work C.I.C, National Grid Chloe Askew, Lakhile, Alphonso Archer, Eluned Parrott, Em, Village Hotels Bristol, David Williams, and everyone else who came along, for a great evening! [Image description: Three people are smiling at the camera whilst stood in a conference room, behind them we see people sitting at tables and a large projector screen saying 'Welcome']
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Rosie's on her way to Bristol for the Young Persons' Podcast Project Launch Party tomorrow - look how excited she is! We'll be posting from the event so you'll finally see the name, branding, and be able to tune in to episode one tomorrow evening. Get ready to subscribe! [Image description: Rosie from Lightyear Foundation is sitting on a train and smiling widely at the camera with two thumbs up]
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This week we finished our second Lab funded by the Joseph & Annie Cattle Trust. A group of five students from Archbishop Sentamu Academy in Hull joined us for four sessions focused on physics. The students enjoyed creating bubble snakes and making their own torches, and their confidence in science have improved from the sessions. The sessions were delivered by our new lab lead Beejal, who did a fantastic job in delivering the sessions for the needs of the students. Our labs are adapted for the specific needs of the students attending them and our lab leads are specially trained in inclusive delivery. If you would be interested in a lab at your school next academic year then please contact [email protected] [Image description: Montage of three images showing children in a science lab. In one image they are holding up certificates. In the other images they are wearing plastic lab coats and conducting experiments with bubbles and science equipment]