Issue 62 - Belfast BT4 • BT5 • BT16
Belfast Festival of Learning made welcome return to the city The Belfast Festival of Learning made a welcome return to the city recently with a week-long programme of free interactive and engaging events.
Pupils from Black Mountain, St Joseph’s, Currie, Victoria Park, Leadhill and Blythefield primary schools were recent participants in the Belfast City Science Camp some pupils are pictured with Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tina Black
Budding Belfast scientists assembled
At half-term, 16 pupils from five Belfast primary schools experimented at the first ever Belfast City Science Camp at W5, thanks to Belfast City Council and partners. The event also tied in with the Northern Ireland Science Festival. Specially tailored for their age group, the camp included workshops, science shows, exhibition visits, construction challenges, coding, and animation - all linked to science, technology, engineering and maths. Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Tina Black said: “It’s fantastic to see these young pupils coming together from Black Mountain, St Joseph’s,
Currie, Victoria Park, Lead Hill and Blythefield primary schools to be inspired by science. They’re learning about three themes – space, music and animation and construction through fun, interactive activities which focus on renewable energies, technology, electronics and engineering. “Our Belfast City Science Camp is all about getting young people excited about science and encouraging them to think about STEM careers. Thanks to a programme of regional
investment from sources including the Belfast Region City Deal, we’re going to see many more science, technology, engineering and maths related job opportunities and increasing demand for qualified talent from employers over the next decade. “Giving our young people opportunities and support to help them fulfil their potential is an important part of our first Community Plan – The Belfast Agenda. The government’s 10X ambition is also centred
on the core technologies and clusters where we can develop world-leading capabilities in the next decade – so we want to start early and inspire our young people in these areas.” For more information on Belfast City Council’s programme of employability and skills support, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/ employability and for more information on the Belfast Region City Deal, go to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/ belfastregioncitydeal.
Promoting lifelong learning for people of all ages, the festival took place in venues across Belfast at the end of March. Events included cookery classes, science demonstrations and the opportunity to learn a new skill such as crochet, knitting and coding. Reminding residents that there is no age limit to education, Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Michelle Kelly said: “Learning opportunities should be available to everyone, whether you’re aged 5 or 75, and The Belfast Festival of Learning is testament to that ethos.” “Within The Belfast
Agenda, we have a vision that our city should be a great place for everyone to live - and providing lifelong learning opportunities is a core part of this. Learning has the potential to transform lives for the better- it can build better relationships and help enhance quality of life for everyone in our city.” Belfast is part of UNESCO’s Global Network of Learning Cities and was awarded a UNESCO Learning Cities Award for outstanding learning milestones in 2021. For a full list of other activities on offer this month, visit www. belfastcity.gov.uk/events