Children Challenging Industry:improving young pupils’ engagement with science through links with industry

Perceptions of science, industry and related careers are not well-understood in children below age 11, with many potentially influential factors needing research. The Centre for Industry Education Collaboration at the University of York has run the Children Challenging Industry programme (CCI) since 1996. The CCI consists of components designed to place curriculum science in a real-world context, aiming to improve knowledge about and attitudes towards STEM-focused industry, pupils’ STEM career aspirations and attitudes towards science. Professional development for teachers and training for industry partners are also important elements of the CCI, but they are not the focus here. In this evaluative study, 508 children aged 9-11 from 23 English primary schools in two UK areas, completed pre- and post-intervention online questionnaires in the academic year 2019-2020 to gather quantitative and qualitative data on their perceptions. The quantitative data were compared across different groups and time points, and qualitative data was explored thematically. The data suggest that the CCI generally positively increased children's experiences of science learning, particularly where baseline awareness of industry was low. The outcomes showed that the positive impact of the CCI on attitudes towards science, and knowledge of industry, including STEM careers in industry, was statistically significant.