Cefas science is a big hit with pupils

Cefas scientists took part in a National Science Week event sponsored by the British Association for the Advancement of Science (the BA) and Suffolk Education Business Partnership on 18 March 2004. Some 275 pupils from Bungay and Halesworth Middle Schools congregated at Bungay High School in Suffolk to take part in the Science Fair. Interactive presentations were delivered by 10 different organisations, ranging from AMEC and Shell UK to the Suffolk Constabulary, Suffolk Wildlife Trust and Cefas.

Year 8 pupils (12-13-year-olds) took part in 3 sessions of an hour and a half each. Groups of 10 pupils moved from activity to activity around the sports hall and presenters had 10 minutes to engage each group before they moved on to the next station. The students also had a chance to ask about the organisations and the type of work they do. Pupils filled out checklists and questionnaires during the day to provide valuable written feedback for the presenters and teachers who took part.

Cefas scientists Karema Warr, Joanne Smith and Phil Welsby received high marks from the pupils. Joanne and Phil removed otoliths (fish ear bones) from dead fish and helped the students to look at them under a microscope. They explained that otoliths help scientists to determine the age of fish. Karema gave a presentation on sampling methods and fieldwork, including scientific work carried out at sea. In addition, she spoke about the diversity of species and had plenty of examples on show, including whiting, crabs, nephrops (scampi) and starfish. Needless to say, viewing the animals up close proved to be a big hit with the pupils.

Cefas also organised 2 competitions. The first was to link famous inventors to their inventions or discoveries. The second was to name the best invention ever. Answers to the latter ranged from the clock and the telephone, to filters, the wheel and the toilet. Two winners were selected and popular science books were presented at follow-up school assemblies.

Events such as the Science Fair help to inspire pupils to take a deeper interest in scientific subjects and to carry on studying science in high school. In addition, the presenters are given the chance to hone their presentational skills and learn to communicate their science to a young audience. Finally, all the organisations that took part agree that raising their profile, and the profile of science in general, means a more secure and engaged future for us all.

To find out more about National Science Week and the work of the BA, see www.the-ba.net. Details about the Suffolk Education Business Partnership can be found at www.suffolkebp.co.uk.