“I enjoy science because I learn about the world around me and I can answer my own questions,’’ explained a pupil from St Margaret Mary’s RC Primary School, New Moston.

Pioneered and proven in Manchester, Great Science Share for Schools is a campaign for 5-14 year-olds that began as a bold idea: to put pupils’ questions at the heart of science learning and to empower every teacher to give more time to investigating and sharing what they discover.

Its success was fast, growing through a wide network of supporters. It now leads the way internationally – reaching into classrooms of every kind, from primary to secondary, from small rural primaries to large trusts, from museums and zoos to industry settings and town halls.

One of the campaign’s key values is to enhance how inclusive science is. By being open to all teachers, anywhere in the world, it prides itself on its non-competitive approach.

By encouraging mass engagement, it means that pupils everywhere have the same opportunity to share their wonderings, and to get hands on with practical learning indoors and outdoors.

The magic ingredient has been to focus on building teachers' confidence in effective practical science learning, with impressive results. Asking, investigating and sharing questions leads to pupils who are better at sticking at a task, using more sophisticated thinking skills and have more equal chances to flourish.

A secondary school pupil from The Derby High School (Bury) explained: "Before the Great Science Share, I wasn't really that interested in science, and I now realise that science is important, not just for now but for the future."

How any teacher and any pupil, anywhere, can get involved

Great Science Share for Schools (GSSfS) is a unique campaign placing pupils at the heart of communicating science

Professor Lynne Bianchi, ex-Manchester primary teacher herself, and now Vice Dean for Social Responsibility at The University of Manchester, is the founder of GSSfS.

She said: “It’s a really simple concept. It’s about getting young people to ask, investigate and share a scientific question that matters to them. This campaign is a way for us to raise the profile of primary science and to say it is essential for young people to have a voice.’’

Getting involved is easy. Schools can access inspiring resources and support throughout the year, and teachers are welcome to join the campaign community at any time. The campaign culminates in an annual share day held each summer.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President and Vice Chancellor of The University of Manchester, said: "Great Science Share for Schools is a wonderful illustration of something that is essential to our strategy. It focuses on building the confidence and capabilities of our teachers in the Greater Manchester region to get students excited about science.''

Mark Sutton, Headteacher at St Margaret Mary’s RC Primary School, said: “As Headteacher, it is clear to see the positive impact and benefits of our school's involvement in GSSfS. Staff have benefitted from high-quality professional development, led and facilitated by experts in their field.’’

Lauren Dobie, Teacher and Science Lead at St Margaret Mary’s RC Primary School, added: “GSSfS invigorates the curriculum and improves the quality of teaching by placing science in real-world contexts and linking learning to global sustainability issues.

“This helps pupils understand the why behind their learning and see the relevance of science beyond the classroom. It raises aspirations by showing pupils the wide range of careers that science can lead to, many of which they may never have previously considered.’’

How to take part

GSSfS, which is free to join, is appealing for more teachers across Manchester, the UK and the world to get involved so that more young people have better chances and greater futures.

To find out more and sign up, visit the GSSfS website.