SCHOOLCHILDREN in Chester have engaged in two days of science experiments during a fun-filled festival.
From a mission to make a rocket or barometer to testing lung capacity, primary and secondary school pupils conducted all kinds of weird and wonderful experiments during the two-day pop science event - all carried out with the aid of the humble plastic pop bottle.
Organised by the Faculty of Applied and Health Sciences at the University of Chester, the event was aimed at Year Five, Six, Seven and Nine pupils.
The Lord Mayor of Chester, Cllr Neil Ritchie, was present on the first day to encourage the primary school children.
He said: “There is nothing to match young minds for enthusiasm, imagination and inventiveness and our visit to the schools’ Pop Science fair showed just how much the children had enjoyed devising some very clever and witty scientific demonstrations, proving that learning science is fun.”
During the morning sessions the youngsters gave team demonstrations of a concept or principle from science, technology, engineering or maths using plastic bottles, while in the afternoon they took part in the bottle rocket challenge which was judged on design and distance travelled.
Secondary school pupils were also challenged to launch an egg as far as possible without causing it any damage.
Professor of food, science and technology, Chris Smith, said: “The aim of this event is to try to enthuse children, the scientists of the future, about the vast possibilities of this subject. By making it fun and accessible we have hopefully helped them to realise that science is for everyone.”
Primary schools taking part in the ‘Exhibition’ section presented diverse scientific concepts such as lava lamps, a ‘living wall’ demonstration, a volcano, and oil spillage on the ocean. The winners were Marton and District Primary School with Horn’s Mill Primary School in second place.
When the competition moved to the firing of the water rockets, Queen’s Lower School was the clear winner with all three of its rockets travelling further than any others – the longest reaching 138metres.
However, competition was strong and in second place was Horn’s Mill Primary School whose overall scores for the day earned its pupils the Pop Science trophy for Primary Schools.
Professor Smith said: “On the second day there was fierce completion between the Queen’s Park High School and Bishop’s Blue Coat School.
“Queen’s Park demonstrated the principle of the Cartesian Diver using a pop bottle, plasticine and a pen tops.”
All schools from across the county were invited to take part in the event which was supported by Cheshire West and Chester Council, St Helens Council, The British Science Association/Knutsford SciBAr and Chester Astronomical Society.