Communities
Tarmac Employees Support Science Fair for Local Schools
“It was great to be able to support the science fair and be given the opportunity to show local children what happens at the quarry and what it is used for. We hope that learning more about the industry will inspire some of the children to join us in the years to come.”
Aaron Wood, quarry operations manager at Tarmac
In March 2023, employees from Tarmac’s Tunstead site in Derbyshire supported a science fair attended by local school children. The event took place at Taddington & Priestcliffe CofE Primary School, with children from Peak Dale and Dove Holes primary schools also attending the event. Around 200 children took part in the fair, taking part in various activities as they worked their way around different stalls.
The event was organised by parent volunteer Luke Wilkinson, with the support of a £700 grant as part of British Science Week 2023. The theme of British Science Week 2023 was ‘Connections’, with the event focused on showing children the connection between the science they learn at school and how it is used in the world around them.
Three employees from Tarmac attended the event, teaching pupils how limestone is quarried, and the everyday things it can be used for, such as toothpaste manufacture or purifying drinking water. Elaine Chapman, head of school at Taddington, said: “It has been so exciting to see the children engage in brand new activities and experience such a hands-on way of learning about science.”
“We were a little nervous about the combination of 200 children and a giant digger, but by the end of the fair it was not just the kids who left inspired, but also our colleagues across the three schools.”
“This is what we all got into teaching for: the lightbulb moments and the smiles on faces. We are so grateful to all the organisations and individuals who gave their time to help make the event such a success.”
