#EngineeringCareers #motorsport #STEM #FutureEngineers #sendinstem #lightyearfoundation

#lightyearfoundation #workinspiration #engineering #FutureEngineers #sendinstem #howmet #coppiceacademy

#ReachForTheSky #InclusiveSTEM #AviationForAll #DisabledLed #FutureAviators #AccessForAll #LightyearFoundation #DepartmentforTransport #CivilAviationAuthority

#LightyearFoundation #Trustees #InclusiveLeadership #DisabledAndNeurodivergentInSTEM #STEMForAll

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #LightyearFoundation #ThankYou #STEMforAll #Inclusion #CharityImpact

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason

#BigGiveChristmasChallenge #DoubleYourImpact #STEMForAll #inclusionmatters #lightyearfoundation #STEMStories #F1inSchools #stemracing #stemwithoutlimits #charity #MatchedFunding #ChristmasCampaign #AKOFoundation #givingseason #royalacademyofengineering #ingenious

#lightyearfoundation #stemwithoutlimits #stemforall #charity #matchedfunding #christmascampaign #howmet #royalacademyofengineering #akofoundation #givingseason

#lightyearfoundation #akofoundation #givingseason #inclusionwithoutlimits #stemforall #charity #matchedfunding #christmascampaign #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities

[Image description] A promotional graphic for the Lightyear Foundation’s SEND in STEM Network session. The background is white with green and purple curved shapes and bubble-like circles. At the top, large text reads: “SEND in STEM Network, December 3rd, 4–5pm (Online).” Beneath it, smaller text states: “Theme: STEM for Young People with PMLD with Lime Academy Ravensbourne. Contact hannah@lightyearfoundation.org for more information.” Along the bottom are three circular photos of learners taking part in sensory STEM activities. In the first, a facilitator holds a bubble making device while a learner with their fingers in their ears blows into it. In the second, a pupil and an adult investigate materials on a yellow tray. In the third, a learner works with a facilitator to explore trays of feathers, coloured playdough, and other tactile resources. The Lightyear Foundation logo sits at the bottom centre.

Two weeks to go! Join us online for the next SEND in STEM Network session on Dec 3rd, 4–5pm, with leaders from Lime Academy Ravensbourne. We’ll explore meaningful STEM engagement for young people with PMLD

To attend contact Hannah at hannah@lightyearfoundation.org

#SENDinSTEM #LightyearFoundation

[Image description] A collage of photos titles "STEM Futures funded by Avantor", on a purple background with floating bubbles. The Lightyear Foundation logo sits at the bottom. 6 photos show pupils engaging in different sensory STEM activities: a child reaches towards floating bubbles; a student exploring animal footprints with support from an adult; a learner watching closely as a facilitator models blowing into a tube that launches leaves; another child in a supportive standing frame investigates leaves and water with an adult; a learner with their fingers in their ears ass they blow on a bubble making machine help by a teacher and a final scene shows a learner experimenting with trays of feathers, playdough, and other tactile materials with guidance from an adult.

#STEMFutures at #LimeAcademyRavensbourne is boosting confidence and curiosity for PMLD learners

Through sensory STEM play students are exploring freely, taking risks, and making discoveries of their own 🐾🫧🔦🪶

Inclusive STEM makes a real difference

#CuriosityInAction #LightyearFoundation #Avantor

[Image Description] A circular, purple and green graphic with the Lightyear Foundation logo at the top. Text reads: “Save the Date – SEND in STEM Network - December 3rd 2025” “Contact hannah@lightyearfoundation.org for more information.” "Theme: STEM for young people with PMLD With Lisa Webb and Andy Smith (Assistant Head and Headteacher at Lime Academy Ravensbourne)." Along the bottom are three circular photos: On the left, a teacher helps a child roll a large orange tube on the floor. In the centre, a young person holds a stick with a green ball on top. On the right, a student in a sensory or therapy pool uses a wooden stick to interact with floating objects. The design features curved shapes and molecular-style graphics in Lightyear Foundation’s purple and green colour palette

📅 Save the Date - Dec 3rd!

Join our next SEND in STEM Network with Andy Smith & Lisa Webb from #LimeAcademyRavensbourne 🌟

Explore how to engage with young people with PMLD & create inclusive, meaningful STEM spaces 💡

More info: hannah@lightyearfoundation.org

#SENDinSTEM #LightyearFoundation

[Image description] A group of five smiling children stand indoors, proudly holding up colourful certificates of completion. They are dressed in school uniforms and casual clothes, and appear joyful and celebratory. Behind them is a large world map on a blue wall. Overlaid at the bottom of the image is a circular logo that reads: “We are proud to be supported by the RTÉ Toy Show Appeal - Community Foundation Ireland (RCN: 20044886).” The background features faded repetition of the Lightyear logos on a purple background pattern with connected dots and the Lightyear Foundation logo appears at the bottom of the image.

🎉 Exciting news!

We’re proud to be one of the lucky recipients of the #RTEToyShowAppeal

With this support, we've launched a new project in Northern Ireland - bringing inclusive, hands-on STEM learning to life with six special schools and industry partners. 🌟🔬

#STEM #Inclusion #LightyearFoundation

[Image Description] A promotional graphic for the Lightyear Youth Group. At the center is a photo of two smiling young people wearing matching purple T-shirts. They are standing indoors, and one of them is holding up a phone to take a selfie with both of them in the frame. Above the photo, the text reads: “Lightyear Youth Group” with the Lightyear Foundation logo underneath. Below the photo, text in purple reads: “Mon 13 Oct 2025 | 6–7pm Online (free, live captions)” The background of the graphic features rows of the molecular Lightyear logo that are faint.

Youth Group Launch! 🌟

📅 Mon 13 Oct 2025 | ⏰ 6–7pm | 💻 Online (free, live captions)

Join our first session with mathematician & artist Ayliean, leading a fun, inclusive maths activity!🎉

Sign up for free: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lightyear-...

#FutureLeaders #LightyearYouthGroup #LightyearFoundation

[Image description] A collage of photos from the 14th International Conference on Compressors and their Systems, hosted at City, University of London. Top: A large group photo in a lecture theatre, with rows of attendees smiling at the camera. Middle left: A smaller group photo featuring Lightyear Foundation representatives and the sponsored young engineers standing together in front of a Lightyear Foundation banner. Middle right: A panel session with Lightyear Foundation’s logo displayed ona powerpoint, and speakers on stage with the young enineers. The powerpoint reads "Breaking down barriers to disabled and neurodivergent children and young people taking part in STEM". Bottom: The official conference banner, with the City, University of London logo and the text “14th International Conference on Compressors and their Systems, 8th-10th September 2025, City, University of London.”

What an inspiring week at the 14th Intl Conference on Compressors & their Systems! 🎉 First time #LightyearFoundation partnered & we were proud to join 4 brilliant neurodivergent engineers 💡 Huge thanks to #City,StGeorge’s & #Smallpeice Trust! 🙏 #BigGive

[Image Description] A promotional graphic for the Lightyear Foundation's SEND in STEM Network event titled “Making Labs Accessible”. The event details state it will take place on Wednesday 3rd September, 4–5 pm on Zoom. The graphic mentions speaker Dr. Katherine Deane discussing the Disability Access in Laboratory Environments (DALE) project, followed by a Q&A. A photo of Dr. Deane wearing sunglasses and smiling is on the right side. The Lightyear Foundation’s logo appears on the left. The background features purple and blue cloud shapes with orange and yellow molecule-like designs.

🔬SEND in STEM: Making Labs Accessible

Wed 3rd Sept | 4-5PM (BST)

Join Dr Katherine Deane (UEA) to explore how we can make STEM labs accessible for disabled & neurodivergent researchers.

Register via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/send-in-st...

#SENDinSTEMNetwork #LightyearFoundation

Image 1 Description: A colorful promotional graphic for the Lightyear Foundation Youth Group event. A young person enthusiastically holds a microphone and points to the side while standing in front of banners that read “Lightyear Foundation”. The image is framed by a border of multicolored circles. Below the photo is a purple banner with the event logo, a QR code, and text: “1 Week to go! Follow the QR code above to book your spot for FREE 30 JULY 2025 | 2:00–3:15 PM | ONLINE”

Image 2 Description: A smiling man, Khalil Thirlaway, stands confidently in front of a vibrant background showing a globe. He wears a black shirt with a bold peace-symbol-like design. On the right, white text on a purple background states "Meet our Speakers:" and then introduces him: “Khalil Thirlaway Biologist and science communicator who brings science to life through podcasts, games, comedy, and more. Khalil shares how neurodivergence shapes his relationships with science, creativity and the world we live in.” Event date and logo appear at the bottom within a multi-coloured circular border.

Image 3 Description: A speaker named James Arthur is shown mid-talk, holding a microphone and standing in front of a projected slide that says “I HAD AN IDEA.” James has curly hair, wears glasses, and is dressed in a patterned shirt and vest. The right side of the image features the words "Meet our Speakers" and then their introduction on a purple background with colorful circular border: “James Arthur Math communicator, consultant, and comedian who screams about maths all day (their words!), while navigating dyslexia and dyspraxia. From BBC Radio 4 to vineyards in France, James makes complex ideas playful and proves math can be deeply human and wildly fun.” Event details and logo are shown at the bottom.

Image 4 Description: A headshot of Kirsty Jones smiling warmly, wearing a white blouse. The background is neutral. The right side of the image features text stating "Meet our Speakers" and is introducing her against a purple background bordered with colorful circles: “Kirsty Jones A biologist and lecturer passionate about microbiology, yeast stress responses, and disability inclusion in STEM. Kirsty champions accessibility in science and is a powerful voice for making research spaces more equitable for everyone.” Event details and the Lightyear Foundation Youth Group logo are at the bottom.

1 week to go 🚀
Join us online on 30 July, 2–3:15 PM for talks on STEM, creativity & inclusion

Featuring:
• Khalil Thirlaway (science & neurodivergence)
• James Arthur (maths & comedy)
• Kirsty Jones (disability in STEM)
• Lightyears own Hannah and Sammy

#LightyearFoundation #LightyearYouthGroup

Great day with #BriarwoodSchool for a work inspiration trip to #ScienceCreates 🌿

With hands-on science making seaweed pods as a plastic alternative. Ending with a tour of Science Creates incubator.

Real science, real inspiration🌍

#LightyearFoundation #PlasticAlternatives #WorkInspirationTrips

[Image Description] A celebratory graphic split into two parts. The top half features a vibrant purple and blue banner announcing that a charity has been "SHORTLISTED 2025" for "Small Charity of the Year" in the Third Sector Awards, sponsored by Ansvar. The bottom half shows a joyful student in a purple school uniform (from “Watson School”) sitting in a classroom. She is smiling brightly while holding a small handmade model car, suggesting an engaging STEM-related activity. The atmosphere is lively and inspiring, emphasizing inclusion, education, and innovation.

We’re thrilled to be shortlisted for Small Charity of the Year at the #ThirdSectorAwards! 💥

Proud to be a disabled-led org making STEM accessible for all.

Congrats to our fellow finalists and thanks to everyone involved in the awards.

#STEMforAll #DisabilityInclusion #LightyearFoundation

[Image Description] In the large central image, a woman sits on the floor smiling holding a green ball, surrounded by scattered colourful balls. A young girl in pink, wearing a red crash-hat, crouches nearby, reaching for a ball. Surrounding the main image are four smaller circular frames: Top left (blue frame): A woman helps a young boy push a ball through a long orange tube. Top right (green frame): A young girl reaches into a bucket full of multicolored balls. Bottom left (pink frame): A child focuses intently on blowing up a green baloon. Bottom center (yellow frame): Two children work together with large cardboard tubes on a blue tarp. Bottom right corner: STEM Futures Logo with supporting schools, including Lightyear Foundation, and Avantor. The background features playful polka dots in vibrant colours, adding to the cheerful and dynamic atmosphere.

A brilliant first sensory STEM Futures session with the amazing #LimeAcademyRavensbourne crew!

From playdoh to ping pong balls, learners explored science their way - hands-on, and inclusive💜

Huge thanks to #Avantor for making it happen!

#STEMFutures #AvantorFoundation #LightyearFoundation

[Image Description] A group photo featuring a diverse group of disabled and neurodivergent young people and adults, including individuals with visible disabilities, standing together and smiling in front of a solid pink background and tint with some making peace signs or gestures of celebration. One young person in the centre is seated in a wheelchair. At the top of the image, large white text reads: "Disability Pride Month" At the bottom, in smaller white text, it says: "Freedom is not just about removing barriers – it's about making STEM a space where everyone belongs." In the bottom right corner is the logo for the Lightyear Foundation, which includes a small stylized atom icon.

It’s #DisabilityPrideMonth! We're celebrating the strength, creativity & diversity of the disabled community.

At #LightyearFoundation, we’re making STEM a space where young people are empowered to lead, create & thrive.

Want to help? Follow, share or connect - inclusion starts with action.

[Image Description] Two children are sitting side by side in a classroom setting, smiling and laughing with joy. Both are wearing white polo shirts with circular blue stickers on them. The child on the right is holding a small model car, suggesting they are participating in a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activity. The background shows other students and classroom furniture, indicating an engaging and inclusive learning environment. There is a light blue boarder. In the top right corner, the Lightyear Foundation logo is visible. At the bottom, a podcast episode promotion reads: "#337 Breaking Barriers to STEM with Lightyear Foundation – Engineering Matters Awards winners episode Engineering Matters" To the left of the episode promotion is a QR code for Spotify. To the right is an apple podcase logo.

New on the #EngineeringMatters podcast:
"Breaking Barriers to STEM with Lightyear Foundation"

Hear how our disabled-led team is reimagining STEM with sensory science, labs & real leadership for young people.

🎧 Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/6Geg...

#DisabilityInSTEM #LightyearFoundation

[Image Description] A promotional graphic for the "Lightyear Foundation Youth Group." It features a colorful dot border around a purple background. At the top, a grid of six people including three young people in a video call is shown. Underneath is the groups name "Lightyear Foundation Youth Group.", to the left is the Lightyear foundation Logo and QR code for free booking. Under this is the text "Follow the QR code above to book your spot for FREE". Below again is the event details "30 JULY 2025 | 2:00-3:15 PM | ONLINE." The bottom text is "The Lightyear Youth Group is a place to meet people like you, have new experiences, and make your voice heard." All white text in front of a dark purple background.

Are you 14–25, D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, and passionate about STEM?

Join us online on 30th July, 2:00–3:15pm for the Lightyear Youth Group launch.

Free to attend, just scan the QR code, and we will see you there

#LightyearFoundation #LightyearYouthGroup #YouthLeadership

[Image Description] A vibrant collage showcases scenes from the Rochdale Science Extravaganza, featuring families and children engaging in hands-on science activities. The collage has a playful green and purple scalloped border, with the event name ""Rochdale Science Extravaganza"" prominently displayed in the center in bright green text against a purple background. The top photo shows a family interacting with Patch (a Lightyear Lab Lead) at a table where two children are working on a STEM activity involving circuits or simple electronics using copper tape in the shape of a heart and batteries. The bottom left photo captures a young person wearing a black shirt that reads ""I’M NOT MISBEHAVING I HAVE AUTISM"" as they concentrate on crafting their science project. The bottom middle photo shows the event space with a banner from the Lightyear Foundation, an organization dedicated to making STEM inclusive for disabled children. The facilitator kneels to talk to a young boy and girl while the family looks on. The bottom right photo features the same young person proudly holding up their completed project, smiling at the camera.

We had an amazing time at the Rochdale Science Extravaganza, a space where science truly is for everyone!

From sensory circuits to inclusive STEM fun, it was a joy to see families engaged and SEND participants feeling seen, heard, and equal.

#LightyearFoundation #RochdaleScienceExtravaganza

A collage of photos with the words "Work Inspiration Trip at: Wellcome Genome Campus" across the top. The background image shows students in white lab coats seated around a table in a lab, with a bright screen displaying vibrant scientific images (plants, animals, cells). Five smaller circular photos are layered on top of the background image. Two of the images are positioned underneath the title: The left one shows a student pipetting a blue liquid into a microplate. The right shows two students sitting opposite each other, both placing their pipettes into different test tubes filled with red, yellow, blue, and green liquid. There are three images at the bottom of the collage: The left image shows two pairs of hands squishing strawberries in a zip-lock bag. The middle image shows a student pouring their squished strawberries into a funnel lined with filter paper, which is dripping liquid into a jug. The right image shows a hand holding a toothpick, with a large blob of strawberry DNA at the tip. The Lightyear Foundation logo is in the top right corner, and all the images are bordered in yellow.

We took 12 Granta School students to the Wellcome Genome Campus.
DNA, pipettes, lab tours, and big science energy!
“I got a really big bit of DNA!”
“It was so calming pipetting... like yoga.”
Huge thanks to the Wellcome team for the inspiration! 💜
#DNA #LightyearFoundation #WorkInspirationTrips

[Image Description] A promotional collage for the Rochdale Science Extravaganza 2025 by Lightyear Foundation. The central section features event details in green and purple text: Join us at: Rochdale Science Extravaganza. Date: Sunday, 29th June 2025. Time: 10:30am – 4:30pm. Venue: Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre. FREE entry; no booking needed Surrounding the central panel are six photos: Top left and bottom left: Lightyear Foundation staff engaging with attendees at an information stand.Top right: A dark planetarium setting showing glowing microscopic creatures. Middle right: A smiling person sitting at a table with sensory tech and colorful play materials. Bottom right: A group of people viewing an immersive Earth science projection. The Lightyear Foundation logo and branding appear throughout. The overall tone is vibrant, inclusive, and welcoming.

"We’ll be at the #RochdaleScienceExtravaganza this Sunday!

Join us for hands-on STEM fun with circuits and electricity, plus a sensory planetarium session at 11am from #ImmersiveExperiences.

FREE entry, no booking needed. Come say hi!

#RochdaleScienceFestival #LightyearFoundation"

[Image description] A collage featuring two photos from recent STEM Futures school visits. The top photo is taken in a brightly lit room with large windows. Three people are smiling at the camera. Left to right, Jeff (the CEO), Jade (STEM Futures program manager), and Libbie (Assistant principle: accessibility and digital applications at The Oaks Specialist Collage). The bottom photo left to right shows Lisa (Assistant Head of Lime Academy, Ravensbourne), Kylee and Jeff again. At the centre of the collage is the STEM Futures logo, alongside partner and funder logos. The collage has a bright pink border, giving it a vibrant, welcoming feel.

Last week our CEO was thrilled to meet two of our amazing STEM Futures schools - #TheOaksSpecialistCollege and #LimeAcademyRavensbourne!
Together with students and staff we’re building a future where STEM is truly for everyone.

#STEMFutures #InclusiveSTEM #STEMforAll #LightyearFoundation