What's On?

The REACTioneers STEM club was set up with the idea of allowing primary school children to have an insight of what engineers can accomplish and how they influence our world. The club’s main objective is to allow the children to broaden their learning around STEAM subjects, whilst being fun and enjoyable, and develop exploration.

The club has undertaken various activities since starting in 2018, including designing, building and erupting volcanoes, attending a local STEAM trail investigating the range of power sources. They also dedicated several sessions looking at all things space ahead of the 50-year anniversary of the moon landing. This included building and launching rockets, creating a solar system, and attending React’s ‘Space Day’ where they visited a planetarium, and engaged with C-STEM building a space station.

The club’s aims to raise the children’s aspirations was recently highlighted from a visit by Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal. The children had the opportunity to meet and talk to Princess Anne, and showcase their favourite REACTioneer’s creation. This was a particularly proud moment for all the children to have their work recognised by the Royal Patron of WISE, and her encouragement regarding science and engineering opportunities.

React Engineering staff volunteer to run the activities each week in term time. Due to current Covid restrictions, REACTioneers Club is taking place online, for further information on how to join the group please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Take your first step to a great future. The online Masterclasses give you the opportunity to explore subjects you're passionate about before you start university, or even before you apply.

The University of Cumbria’s virtual and face to face Masterclasses are specifically designed for anyone thinking of studying at university. Anyone is welcome to join from students studying A-levels and level 3 qualifications, to those who have recently left school and want to get back into education, or those searching for a career change.

In these live lectures, their very own experts will give you a real insight into university study as you go beyond what's covered in the school curriculum. Work through real lessons or case studies, delve into topical debates or participate in a group activity. 

We are pleased to offer attendees at 2020/1 masterclasses a reduction of up to 16 UCAS points on offers for future applications to related University of Cumbria courses.*

There's an exciting range of subjects on offer this year. Places are limited and booking up fast, so make sure you secure your place when you find the right one for you.

Titles include:

• Secrets in the Blood: Diagnosing Disease (Biomedical Science)
• Forensics at your Fingertips (Forensics Science)
• Every Species Matters: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resilience (Conservation and Zoology)
• Dealing with the “Wicked” Problem of Climate Change (Geography and Environmental Science)

To explore all the titles available and to find more information, or book a place, please visit their website here.

* The reduction will be applied on application and points cannot be redeemed retrospectively, if you have already applied to the University of Cumbria. They can only be redeemed against University of Cumbria courses linked to the masterclass. View their terms and conditions here.

The REACT Foundation charity and the Industrial Solutions Hub (iSH) have teamed up to support the 2024/25 FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge competition in Cumbria. Schools in Cumbria can apply to the REACT Foundation to have their competition entrance fee reimbursed following successful attendance at a regional final in Cumbria.

To be eligible you will need to enter a team from a Cumbrian school into the FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge ‘Submerged’ competition on the IET website and attend one of the two regional finals held in the county.

The link is The entrance fee will be reimbursed once the school has participated in one of the regional finals. This season, regional finals are being held in West Cumbria and Barrow. Details are available on the IET registration page. More Information here. 

• Get support for the competition
• PUT CUMBRIA BACK ON THE MAP
• Entrance free fully funded

For further details contact Connie Dougan - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

When: September / October

Where: Lakes College, Lillyhall, Workington & Millom School

Provider: REACT Foundation

Further Info: Bringing the National Science Museum to West Cumbria

Watch this space for next year's KS2 science and engineerin show from the Science Museum's Outreach Team.

Interested schools should contact contact Irene McMillan on 01946 813778.

When: September / October

Where: at your school or college

Provider: REACT Foundation

Further Info: Bringing the National Science Museum to West Cumbria! 

Watch this space for next year's science and engineering show for Year 7, 8 and 9 students - a fantastic show brought to you all the way from London and delivered by the National Science Museum's Outreach Team.

Interested schools should contact contact Irene McMillan on 01946 813778. 

When: 28th June - 2nd July 2021

Where: REACT Engineering, Earl Street, Cleator Moor

Provider: REACT Engineering

Further Info: For those studying towards A Level qualifications REACT run a one week ‘Introduction Into Engineering™' seminar which takes students through a real engineering problem, to provide them with a clear understanding of what a professional engineer does for a living.

For further information or to apply please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Since conception, Dream Placement has been a fantastic success. The scheme offeres local sixth form students the opportunity to win a very special prize - a week’s dream placement with a highly successful Cumbrian business, shadowing the MD/CEO and working with their team. The Centre for Leadership Performance will be providing the winners with other leadership development opportunities, including a personal development coach. Further information can be found at www.cforlp.org.uk

The placements will take place in February each year.