On 16 June 2026, Past Master Leigh Baildham and the chairman of the Charity Fund, together with Liveryman Darren Lad, Education Lead for Glass in Society, and Deborah Lad, attended the Great Science Share for Schools event in Manchester.
The event welcomed 21 primary schools from across the Greater Manchester area, providing pupils with the opportunity to showcase and share their scientific investigations with one another. Each participating school had spent between four and six weeks preparing for the event, with many teachers and pupils dedicating significant time outside normal school hours to develop and refine their projects.
Hands-on experiments gave children the opportunity to investigate and share scientific ideas.
The Great Science Share has grown significantly since its inception and has evolved into an international initiative, with schools from around the world now participating. This year marked a significant milestone, with pupil participation exceeding 1 million for the first time, demonstrating the growing enthusiasm for science-based learning and enquiry.
The enthusiasm and confidence demonstrated by the children was inspiring. Rather than simply presenting completed experiments, pupils were encouraged to explain their thinking, discuss their findings and answer questions from their peers. The event created a vibrant atmosphere of curiosity, collaboration, and learning.
Young participants confidently presenting their ideas and demonstrating the impact of practical science learning.
One particularly memorable conversation was with a primary school pupil from Derby School, Bury, who spent almost twenty minutes explaining her school’s project on the importance of recycling glass and reducing the use of plastic. Her knowledge, confidence and passion for the subject were remarkable, and she demonstrated a clear understanding of both the environmental challenges and the practical solutions available. She also thanked the Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers for the separate support that had been provided to her school. It was encouraging to see first-hand the impact that such support can have in inspiring young people to engage with science and sustainability.
Discussions with teachers highlighted a growing challenge facing science education in primary schools. With science not forming part of the SAT assessment framework, many schools are under pressure to prioritise subjects that are directly measured through national examinations. As a result, science can sometimes receive less classroom time and fewer resources than teachers would ideally like.
The Great Science Share seeks to address this challenge by providing schools with practical resources, guidance and support to help teachers deliver engaging scientific investigations. By equipping educators with ideas and structured activities, the programme helps make science accessible, enjoyable and relevant for young learners.
The Great Science Share’s international growth exceeded 1 million pupil participants in 2026.
The visit reinforced the importance of initiatives such as the Great Science Share in nurturing scientific curiosity at an early age. It was particularly encouraging to see the dedication of teachers, many of whom had invested considerable personal time to ensure their pupils could participate and benefit from the experience.
The Worshipful Company of Glass Sellers is proud not only to recognise the importance of science education but also to support it financially through its charitable activities. Through the Glass in Society initiative, the Company continues to encourage scientific engagement and learning opportunities for young people across the country.
The creativity, enthusiasm and communication skills displayed by the pupils offered a reassuring glimpse of the next generation of scientists, engineers and innovators. We thank the organisers, teachers and pupils for their warm welcome and for delivering such an inspiring and worthwhile event.
Support Our Educational Work
Donations to the Glass Sellers’ Charitable Fund help support educational initiatives such as the Great Science Share and the Company’s Glass in Society programme. Members who feel inspired by the work being undertaken are invited to consider making a contribution via the Glass Sellers’ JustGiving page.
