Mark Thompson photo by Steve Ullathorne

Mark Thompson has inspired millions of viewers to get out and enjoy the night sky through his role as a presenter on BBC Stargazing Live. Now he is working with the Norfolk-based Youth STEMM Award to inspire the next generation of STEMM* professionals. 

Mark is no stranger to reaching out to new audiences on a variety of prime-time TV shows, including This Morning and Good Morning Britain, where he engages and enthuses people about Science and Astronomy. Mark is patron of the 2017 Norwich Science Festival and is passionate about encouraging more young people to enter the critical fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine.

Mark Thompson said of his involvement with the Youth STEMM Award, “I was ten years old when I started getting excited by science. I saw Saturn through a telescope at my local astronomical society and from that day was utterly absorbed by the wonderment of not just the Universe, but all aspects of science.  The Youth STEMM awards is a brilliant initiative to help and encourage youngsters of today focus on STEMM activity.”

The Youth STEMM Award is an achievement-based award for students in Years 9-13, designed to support and inspire the next generation of STEMM professionals and help address the UK’s STEMM skills shortage. Participants log STEMM-related activities across four core strands on a personalised e-portfolio. Students can work towards a Bronze, Silver or Gold level Award, and learn how to inspire the next generation, engage the public, develop skills and shape their future career in the STEMM sector. The Youth STEMM Award has seen over 900 students take part already and is now open to schools across the UK.

Dr Simon Fox, Co-founder of the Youth STEMM Award, commented, “One of the most inspiring aspects of working on this project has been the overwhelming enthusiasm and support we have received from professionals across the whole STEMM spectrum. This is particularly true of our patrons, and we are so excited to be welcoming Mark to the team. His passionate support demonstrates just how important it is to encourage the next generation of STEMM professionals.”

To find out more about the Youth STEMM Award, visit ysawards.co.uk, email [email protected] or follow on Twitter at @YouthSTEMM