The Glass in Society Project
The Glass in Society project began in 1991 with a grant to Wath-upon-Dearne Comprehensive School, Rotherham. Pupils undertook a project with a wide-ranging brief, which included subjects such as the history of glass, glass manufacture, glass blowing and even the physics of the material.
The Glass in Society project aims to introduce teachers and school children to glass, glass technology, its uses and behaviour, as well as frequently to bring an understanding of composite technology into their education for the first time. The project allows students to earn a Crest Award, which is a national accreditation scheme designed to recognise achievement in science and technology.
In the Midlands Glass in Society projects are supported by a grant from the 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust. In 2010 and 2011 we have seen the successful completion of a number of projects. The Blue Coat CE School in Coventry investigated how glass could be used in treating cancer, by attempting to make different types of glass and testing which of these could sustain temperatures of 40°C for the longest. Kingswinford School in Dudley became the first state school in Britain with their own observatory.
In the Isle of Wight a Glass in Society project has been run annually since 2006 and touched the lives of thousands of children who live on the island. The project introduces children to the modern uses of Glass Fibre by encouraging students to research and understand all the new composite materials and the benefits that they bring to marine design.
The Glass in Society project goes from strength to strength with a new initiative underway in collaboration with the Association for Science Education (ASE).
For more information on the Glass in Society Project contact charity@glass-sellers.co.uk
