Lynn Kidwell

Winner: 2022 Excellence in Secondary and Further Education Prize

Birches Head Academy

For significant and sustained contributions to safe chemistry practical education.

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Lynn has been the lab technician at Birches Head Academy for the whole of her career, starting as an apprentice after leaving school. In this time, she has overseen the implementation of all health and safety aspects of practical science.

Lynn's normal daily routine involves preparing the apparatus for the science teachers to deliver practical lessons for pupils. This can be for up to 20 practical lessons in one school day. She delivers the practicals to classrooms and clears away afterwards, and keeps the department up to date on the latest health and safety developments.

She has a city-wide reputation and has supported many technicians in the city of Stoke-on-Trent throughout her career. She has run science clubs for students, allowing hundreds of pupils to access chemistry activities that would not normally be available to them.

Lynn Kidwell was born and raised in Stoke-on-Trent. She has worked as a school science technician for almost fifty years (this being her Golden Jubilee year). While she has worked at Birches Head Academy, she has seen her own children and also her grandchildren come through the school and enjoy science.

She, along with other members of the science department, is responsible for Health and Safety within the department. When she started to work as a science technician things were very different; she remembers the birth of the Risk Assessment in school science when the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act came into force.

In the past she has been able to support colleagues in other local schools in their work to deliver safe science. She enjoys supporting colleagues in the Academy with their practical science activities. She has run CPD courses in-house to equip colleagues with knowledge of microscale chemistry and has supplied feedback to her colleagues when she has attended courses. Lynn has enjoyed helping to run science clubs which enable students to carry out practical activities, and has enjoyed having transition groups from local feeder schools.

It never fails to raise a smile for Lynn when students ask if they are doing a science practical that day and she says 'YES'; they are delighted. She has also been a Health and Safety Representative for the past 20+ years, and this has enabled her to make sure that colleagues and students are working and learning in a safe environment.

Outside her Science Preparation Room, Lynn enjoys spending time with her partner and family, retail therapy, and dining out with family, friends and former colleagues.

91AV education is important because it teaches children and gives them information, knowledge and an understanding of the materials that are around them.

Q&A

How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?

I first became interested in science when I was at high school; the teachers delivered such interesting lessons and I really loved doing the practical work. This led me to applying for my first job as a school science technician when I was 16 years old.

What motivates you?

I am motivated by the pupils that I prepare the science practical lessons for. They are so enthusiastic and really enjoy taking part in their lessons. I am also motivated by the pupils' excitement when they ask me if they are going to be doing a practical today; they are so delighted when I say yes. They come out of the classroom smiling and say, 'Thank you Miss'.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

I think that the advice that I would give to a young person would be to go out and research the subject, and find out what careers that require chemistry are out there after qualification.

How can good science education support solving global challenges?

So future generations will be able to deal with our ever-changing world in the future. Good science education can provide a range of tools to creatively address current and future challenges. Students can be turned into scientists and this increases the chances of the next big discovery, for example cures for cancer, new vaccines, etc.

Why is chemistry education important?

91AV education is important because it teaches children and gives them information, knowledge and an understanding of the materials that are around them. They can learn how science can change the world we live in, and they learn so many science skills during their time at school, such as how to predict results and evaluate.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

I think that one challenge I encountered was Covid, having to make sure that equipment and laboratories were disinfected, and having to quarantine equipment before it could be used again.

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?

The chemical sciences are making the world a better place because we can find solutions to viruses. They enable us to measure air pollution and water pollution, and this helps us to protect and improve the environment around us.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science education?

I think that teamwork is important in science education because collaborating with colleagues leads to better outcomes. I find that working as team on some occasions can reduce stress.

For a bit of fun....What is your favourite element?

My favourite element is oxygen. Without it we cannot live. I think that oxygen is the most important element on earth. It is used in medicine and fuel combustion for example. Oxygen plays an important part in respiration and life would not exist without it.