THE University of Exeter will mark LGBT+ History Month in the UK with a series of events and the launch of free classroom resources for secondary schools and museums that highlight the achievements of LGBT+ individuals working in maths and science.

The teaching resources were announced in November and are now free to access and download to mark LGBT+ History Month in February.

The resources pack includes slides, posters, postcards, videos and class activities, produced in collaboration with LGBT+ education charity Schools OUT to support the usualisation of LGBTQ+ identities in Key Stage 3 and 4 science and maths.

The resources are based on entries to the Queer Science Competition, led by the PRISM Exeter LGBTQ+ network, which challenged secondary school, college, and university students across the South West to discover and celebrate lesser-known LGBT+ scientists, technologists, engineers, mathematicians and medics.

Pupils can learn about the physicist and NASA astronaut Sally Ride, the first known LGBT+ astronaut and passionate advocate for science; the mathematician and chess champion Ron Buckmire; as well as the physicist Nergis Mavalvala, who discovered how to make more accurate quantum measurements through a process called “laser cooling”.

A free webinar with Pride in Education on Friday, February 13 will see project leads Dr Claire Davies, Dr Andrew Griffiths and Dr Eleanor Townsend showcase the contents of the resources and how they can be used during LGBT+ History Month and beyond.

There will also be a drop-in workshop on Sunday, February 15 at Exeter’s RAMM museum and gallery at which visitors can explore the work of LGBTQ+ scientists through a variety of table-top activities.

Dr Davies, who is also the founder of PRISM Exeter, said: “Our resources will give teachers practical ways to highlight the real contributions of LGBT+ people to science and maths, helping to make STEM learning more inclusive, representative and relevant for all students.

“They are freely available, and could have real impact across UK schools, museums and other educational settings, supporting educators to embed LGBT+ histories into science and maths and reaching young people in and beyond the classroom.”

The resources are available to access and download here.