Inspiring scientists

Inspiring Scientists is a series of resources to help develop students’ understanding and awareness of science and the diversity of scientists. The resources showcase the life stories of British scientists with minority ethnic heritage and covers issues such as being a minority in science, influences in their childhoods and the fun and importance of science both to themselves and to the wider community. The activities that accompany the profiles relate to the area of research that the scientist is involved in. The resources for each scientist are divided into two academic levels: primary and secondary (age 11-16). Each resource consists of teacher guidance, an activity worksheet, the scientist’s timeline and a video profile. The video profiles were commissioned by the Royal Society and carried out as an oral history project by National Life Stories at the British Library. Interviewees range from PhD students to Professors and the focus on science is wide, covering academia, big industry and individual entrepreneurship with scientists working across a range of scientific disciplines from food science to space science.