As part of ongoing efforts to responsibly repurpose equipment, a collection of unused but serviceable scientific glassware – including beakers, flasks, and measuring cylinders – was identified within the department. Rather than allowing these items to remain in storage, the team arranged for their collection by Oasis Academy Brightstowe, a secondary school committed to enhancing STEM learning opportunities for its students.
The project was coordinated by Darren Burke, Logistics Hub Manager in the University of Bristol’s School of Physics, who oversaw the identification, organisation, and transfer of the equipment to ensure it could be put to immediate use in the classroom.
This initiative not only reduces waste within the University but also provides valuable resources to support practical science teaching in the local community. Access to quality laboratory equipment is essential in helping students engage with science through hands-on experimentation, building skills and confidence in subjects that are critical to future careers.
Az Mann from the physics department of Oasis Academy Brightstowe expressed their appreciation for the donation, highlighting the positive impact the materials will have on classroom learning and the ability to deliver more engaging experiments across the science curriculum.
The collaboration reflects the University’s continued commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and widening participation in STEM education. By redistributing surplus materials where they can have meaningful impact, the School of Physics is helping to inspire the next generation of scientists.