National Science Week success

Friday 16 March 2007
Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos celebrate National Science Week success
Pupils from Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos are celebrating their success in this year's National Science Week competition which was organised by the University of Wales, Aberystwyth and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research.

Set a challenge of creating a model using recycled materials to depict the importance of water in nature, Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos pupils swept the board with a host of imaginative and innovative models. First prize winners Kirsten Davies and Peter Goodwin received the prize of £150 on behalf of the school from Professor John Barrett at this year's National Science Week exhibition which was held in the Aberystwyth Arts Centre on Monday 12 March.

The full list of individual prize winners is: 1st Peter Goodwin and Kirsten Davies who received book tokens worth £30 each; 2nd Chelsea Evans, Ellise Parry and Shane Gornall who received a £20 book token each; 3rd Allan Cole, Jamie Standing, Declan Hodson, Jack James, Haydn Davies, Liam James and Cara Boswell who received a £10 book token each.

As in previous years the exhibition, which is organised by staff at the University’s Institute of Biological Sciences, attracted more than five hundred primary school children from all parts of Ceredigion. This event, which forms part of National Sciences Week, is made possible with funding from the Research Councils UK small grants scheme for public engagement with science.

The theme this year was ‘Water, water everywhere….’. On display were a number of interactive exhibits that challenged pupils to look at many aspects of water including water conservation and management, the importance of water for life, and using water to generate power. The children were encouraged to explore water as a habitat by discovering our marine wildlife, how water is made safe for us to drink and they even had a lesson in hand washing techniques, something that is sure to please Mums and Dads.

The exhibitors were all volunteers from the Institute of Biological Sciences, the Institute of Rural Sciences and the Institute of Grassland and Environmental research which work together under the auspices of the Aber Bio Centre. The Coastguard were also in attendance with their ‘SeaSmart’ campaign which encourages pupils to be aware of safety when enjoying recreational wateruse along the coast. Ty Nant kindly donated 900 bottles of water (in recyclable bottles) which was much appreciated by the children and all the volunteers.