Children’s writer and presenter, Konnie Huq, to host family events on science, the environment and coding at Halton’s Libraries as part of British Science Week – and both events are already full!

The Reading Agency is working with celebrated children’s writer and presenter, Konnie, to deliver practical workshops in Widnes Library and Halton Lea Library in Halton, as part of Reading Sparks.

It’s a programme to build confidence in STEM subjects through reading.

Facilitated by Konnie and taking place on Saturday 12 March, the workshops will be run for local families and will take place on the first weekend of British Science Week, a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths taking place between 11-20 March 2022.

Halton Borough Council’s Executive Board Member for Learning, Skills and The Commuity, Cllr Paul Nolan, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Konnie Huq to Halton Libraries in March to inspire local families to engage with science in a hands-on way.

“As more and more families return to the library after these years of disruption, I can’t think of a more inspiring event to kindle children’s passion for reading, science and knowledge.”

Workshops will draw on Konnie’s Cookie! Book series about a girl’s adventures into science, accessible reads featuring sketches and comic books with hands-on activities for children.

Cookie! was one of the Summer Reading Challenge official booklist titles in 2020 and was very popular with children across the country.

Konnie will talk through her books, animating the workshops with quizzes, challenges, experiments and discussions around the science, the environment and coding.

Children will also have the opportunity to ask Konnie questions and receive signed copies of her books.

Halton Libraries is one of 11 library services across England, the Channel Islands and Northern Ireland which delivers Reading Sparks, The Reading Agency’s project engaging children and families with science through reading.

The project is funded by Arts Council England and Science and Technology Facilities Council and delivered in partnership with public libraries, the British Science Association, and NUSTEM at the University of Northumbria.

Karen Napier, CEO, The Reading Agency said: “Our brilliant Reading Sparks programme is demonstrating the role that reading can play in sparking a passion for science in young people. We are delighted that Konnie Huq is supporting the project and spreading the joy or reading and science to local families in Halton during British Science Week. ”

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12 March, 10.30am, Widnes Library.
12 March, 1pm, Halton Lea Library.

The Reading Agency is a national charity that tackles life’s big challenges through the proven power of reading. It works closely with partners to develop and deliver programmes for people of all ages and backgrounds; with a vision is for a world where everyone is reading their way to a better life.

It helps 1.9 million people benefit from reading every year, through our programmes, our tireless campaigning, our excellent networks and our power to influence, challenge and make change happen. www.readingagency.org.uk