About Devon science
Devon Science is a reliable, inspiring & experienced science outreach company dedicated to bringing educational, exciting science to our customers.
Led by Ruth, a (real!) scientist, we are a knowledgeable science education company and can provide information regarding working in scientific fields too.
We work across the southwest UK and beyond to introduce children to science – we love what we do and our customers do to!
Meet the Devon Science Team
Carolyn
Carolyn is a teacher who runs many of our events, parties & shows across all our regions. Music, kayaking, travelling, writing.....she has too many creative hobbies to list!
Ruth
Ruth founded Devon Science. She's a Biomedical Scientist & QTS qualified teacher, lecturing Human Biology & Microbiology. She organises & runs events across our regions. Ruth doesn't have much time to have hobbies but enjoys trees, resining and weight training!
Charlotte
Charlotte is an award winning (PSTT) primary science lead teacher based in the Exeter and Newton Abbot regions. She teaches at a local primary school, and is brilliant at running our outreach activities. Charlotte enjoys fitness and walking her pooch.
Rob
Rob is a retired scientist supporting our public and school events. He works behind the scenes looking after our accounts and stock, and preparing science kits for our shop. He knows as much about slime as he does 70s rock music (which is a LOT!)
Naomi
Naomi is a very experienced HLTA working at a primary school, with experience of supporting young teens. Due to her TA work during the school term, Naomi helps at our events at weekends & holidays. She loves the outdoors, music and camping.
Sophie
Sophie is a masters graduate supporting events in the Somerset & Bristol regions & writes our blogs. She loves history and museums, but is also very knowledgeable about biology.
Luise
Luise works with SEN children & adults as an occupational therapist in North Devon & is a science party pro. Luise is also a qualified massage therapist. As she works full time, Luise steps in to support our event mostly at weekends.
Values, Vision & Mission
It is a well-publicised problem that there is a substantial skills shortage in the STEM – science, technology, engineering and maths – areas in the UK.
As a scientist I find this a huge shame, because science can be incredibly engaging, absorbing and rewarding. On a national level, this is a serious problem for the future, where Britain will rely on its expertise in the STEM skills to compete in the worldwide marketplace.
Addressing that problem starts with our newest generation. If young people can experience science in a fun, hands-on way, from an early age, then maybe we can light a spark that could last a life time.
We visit primary schools with science assemblies and workshop, run community events, teach home educated children and host science parties and entertainment in order to introduce as many kids as we can to how exciting science can be!
We started off as Sciencedipity Community Interest Company in 2014, and became Devon Science in 2023.
Listen to Ruth chatting to the Microbiology Society (for who she is a champion), about it all began!
Values
Our creative science shows, workshops and events enable learning in an inspirational & fun environment.
Vision
Our vision is that families and children have a lifelong passion for curiosity, imagination & investigation.
Mission
Our mission is to create fun, inspiring science learning accessible to all families in the community.
How our science outreach began
Qualified, Experienced and Reliable
Ruth MacLaren BSc QTLS FHEA is our head scientist and teacher. She leads all of Devon Science’s sessions personally, providing the sort of enthusiasm and expertise that effective teaching needs.
Ruth’s core experience is split between science and teaching – she is a Biomedical Scientist and a qualified teacher who has been leading lessons and workshops for years.
Devon Science operates with a small team of staff running events and parties across the south west UK, and now into Bristol, Herefordshire and Shropshire.
For your peace of mind, we are fully insured, DBS checked, safeguarding trained and stringent on our data protection. You can rely on us to provide all of our workshops and clubs safely, every time.
