are back in Paisley for free fun-filled STEAMactivities this autumn
Following spectacular light shows in March and coding and poetry
workshops in Renfrewshire schools, About Us Now will offer fun
creative STEM and poetry activities linking to the theme of connectivity and the Universe
London, UK 25th August 2022: Stemettes and The Poetry Society, in collaboration with 59
Productions, are delighted to be returning to Paisley for a day of hands-on STEAM sessions
for the whole family and open to the public on Wednesday 19 October 2022, 10:00 – 16:00
BST.
Commissioned as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, About Us Now – Paisley will
involve physical STEAM learning activities planned for ages 7 – 25 to encourage participants
to learn skills such as 3D modelling, illustration, HTML and poetry development.
About Us Now – Paisley is part of About Us, the first in a series of ten sensational projects
commissioned as part of UNBOXED: Creativity in the UK, a ground-breaking UK-wide
celebration of creativity in 2022. Earlier in March this year, we organised spectacular light
shows at Paisley Abbey, transforming the historic venue into a vast canvas combining awe-
inspiring live projection-mapped animation with poetry, music, and beautiful live choral
singing to create a unique spectacle.
About Us Now – Paisley is a continuation of our commitment to locations we previously
visited, starting off in Paisley followed by Derry-Londonderry, Bangor, Luton and Hull during
October and November 2022. We want to hear from the young people who took part in the
light shows and give them unique opportunities to try future focussed hands-on STEAM
activities for themselves.
On the day we will celebrate STEAM learning with the aim to build skills and encourage
young people to collaborate in Paisley and surrounding areas. The event will build on the
About Us project theme of connection and exploring our shared story from the Big Bang to
the present day. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about STEAM roles and
opportunities in Paisley. They will be split into groups based on their age; one primary, two
secondary and one for ages 18 – 25. Primary aged children will have the option to take part
in half a day or the full day. Additional offerings include mentoring, free certification
academies, downloadable STEAM career guidance resources and the chance to become
part of a supportive STEAM community.
There will also be an evening panel event running on the same day aimed at young people,
stakeholders and industry partners in Paisley exploring next steps in developing STEAM
talent in local areas.
We are currently running the About Us competition, inviting young people across England,
Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to enter a poem or animation Scratch project – or to
enter both – around the theme of ‘connectivity and the universe’ reflecting on the many ways
in which life across the universe is interwoven. The competition closes on 7th September.
Participants can win Raspberry Pis, 3D Doodle pens, poetry books as well as mentoring and
publication opportunities. Winners will also be invited to attend the About Us Now events and
we will celebrate their work at each occasion.
About Us Now follows on from About Us and has been developed in collaboration with
poets and scientists across the UK. The project involves large-scale public events for all
ages that tell the story of the infinite ways in which we are connected to the universe, natural
world, and one another from the Big Bang to the present day. In January, Stemettes and The
Poetry Society delivered Scratch coding and poetry workshops in primary schools across
Renfrewshire, showcasing the meeting points between science, technology and poetry.
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, Co-founder and CEO of Stemettes said: “Paisley is one of
my favourite places in Scotland. I’m excited to be serving the local community and bringing
the arts and STEM together for young ones to explore their creativity and place in the world.
New skills, good food and fun connections to peers and role models are guaranteed!”
Judith Palmer, Director, The Poetry Society, said: “We’re delighted to be working with
even more young people this autumn from Paisley, with an exciting interactive programme of
events harnessing young people’s creativity. About Us celebrates the creativity at the heart
of both STEM subjects and poetry; these events are a chance for young people to explore
how these disciplines intersect, to learn about career pathways in STEAM, and to try their
hand at modelling, design and poetry writing. We can’t wait to see what young people create
in this next phase of the project.”
Lysander Ashton, Project Director, About Us and Director, 59 Productions, said: “59
Productions are really excited to continue the work after the spectacular shows earlier in the
year and to dive deeper into the incredible stories of how connected we all are.”
About Us Now is a collaboration between 59 Productions – the award-winning design studio
and production company who created the video design for the London 2012 Olympic
Opening Ceremony; Stemettes – the award-winning social enterprise working to bring young
women and non-binary young people into Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths
(STEM) careers; and The Poetry Society – one of the UK’s most dynamic arts organisations.
Further information on About Us Now can be found at aboutus.earth