By Using STEM to engage vulnerable kids during COVID
The Curiosity Box is an award-winning monthly science subscription box founded by Oxfordshire local, Renee Watson. Her latest activity boxes focus on STEM learning – science, tech, engineering and math.
As the COVID-19 pandemic has closed schools across the nation, reports confirm the damning effect this has been having on our nation’s children, especially those in vulnerable areas or living with poverty.
Realising this was her opportunity to help, Renee made the commitment to provide ‘The Curiosity Box’ to 20,000 children in deprived areas of the UK.
The kits include code breaking experiments and puzzles, and chemistry kits for 4-11 years or sub age groups according to the demand of the location. These boxes also have basic tools such as pencils and scissors included to ensure that the recipients have everything they need to get imagining.
So far they’ve shipped heavily subsidised 8,000 STEM kits to vulnerable children missing out on education during the pandemic.
Renee, says: “I would love more local authorities to get involved and to encourage more individuals and businesses to consider buying our boxes to donate, so that we can extend the reach and get people really engaged in doing something tangible and good for our future generations.”
The Curiosity Box is based in Eynsham, just west of Oxford, where additional team members have been hired to support this effort from the local community – all of whom have lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic.
For further information on Renee’s mission, her TED Talk about wow moments in everyday life that inspire curiosity for future generations.
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