The BSA is proud to have worked in partnership with science-based technology company 3M since 2016.

British Science Week

For British Science Week 2020, the BSA and 3M built on our previous partnerships which challenged people’s perceptions of science and scientists. Together, the British Science Association and 3M partnered up to launch a brand new Smashing Stereotypes campaign. From the common image of the 'mad scientist' to the belief that science is only for 'geniuses', stereotypes of the STEM sectors have created a very limited perception of what these industries do. Smashing Stereotypes aimed to tackle this issue by encouraging STEM employees and researchers to share their day-to-day experiences at work by using the hashtag #EverydayScientist on social media.

We want people from the STEM workforce to show how these industries contain a broad range of jobs and careers that our British Science Week audiences can one day be involved with. Smashing Stereotypes was designed to show that scientists are just like other people and that science has a culture that not only welcomes diversity, but also needs it. We want to highlight that diversity of thought and experience, especially from those who have been typically under-represented in the STEM industries, is key to tackling the challenges of the future.

Ideas to inspire parents

For British Science Week 2018 we partnered with 3M to produce a guide for parents, after global research by 3M found that an overwhelming 94% of UK adults wanted their children to be better engaged with science, but weren’t always sure where to start.

Explore, Experiment, Enjoy is free to download and features a selection of everyday activities to engage families in science, signposting them to further information and resources.

3M Young Innovators Challenge

3M is also a supporter of the BSA’s flagship education programme, CREST. Its highly successful competition for schools, the 3M Young Innovators Challenge, invites hundreds of primary and secondary students from schools around 3M’s main sites to undertake STEM challenges that are linked to the curriculum and accredited to CREST Discovery or CREST Bronze Awards. Challenge winners receive funding to purchase school science equipment and all entrants gain a 3M-funded CREST Award, providing a valuable contribution to their personal statements and portfolios. 

The 3M Young Innovators Challenge has grown year-on-year since its inception in 2013, with 48 schools participating in 2018. Visit the 3M website to find out more.