Cefas Science Masterclass

Staff at Cefas (The Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science) once again presented a science masterclass to an invited audience of local sixth-form students in Lowestoft on Thursday 10 February. The Masterclass seeks to stimulate interest in scientific and environmental research.

Students were treated to presentations from internationally renowned scientists on fish behaviour, coral reefs and climate change, and radioactivity in the environment.

In response to feedback from last year’s Masterclass, we also included practical Laboratory experience, when students worked with scientists to gain tasters in a range of areas: plankton identification and counting, measuring fish fecundity, radioactivity counting, analysis of Tributyltin in sediments, current meter calibrations.

Made to sing for their lunch, the students participated in brainstorming sessions, lead by Cefas scientists, addressing the problems of discarded fish, and radioactive discharges. The brainstorming was followed by lively debate as groups in the guise of politicians, scientists, pressure groups and fishermen, gave feedback to the whole Masterclass.

Students from the Masterclass are expected to apply for September placements on our Science Student Partnership, which gives the opportunity for the best and brightest second-year A-level science students in Norfolk and Suffolk to gain scientific project work experience at the Lowestoft laboratory and to be mentored by world-class scientists.

By continuing with the Masterclass and Partnership initiatives Cefas seeks to provide meaningful experience of working in a science environment. Both enable students to prove their involvement with applied science and will be useful when applying for university placements.

Notes to editors

1. Cefas is an internationally renowned scientific research and advisory establishment, based at Lowestoft since 1902. It also has laboratories at Burnham-on-Crouch and Weymouth, and a number of other facilities around the UK. It became an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in 1997. 
2. Cefas undertakes work on fisheries management, environmental protection and aquaculture. It offers a wide range of research, advisory, consultancy, monitoring and training activities to government departments (UK and foreign, central and local), international agencies, commercial companies and aid organisations. For more detail see the Cefas website: http://www.cefas.co.uk/. 
3. Photo files available on request.

Press contact:

Anne McClarnon: 01502 524370 / 0776 829 0938 / a.mcclarnon@cefas.co.uk
Alternative contact: Lisa Sivyer: 01502 524 274 l.m.a.Sivyer@cefas.co.uk