News Centre

National Science and Engineering Week

05 March 2009

Pupils from Newbridge-on-Wye Primary School at a previous year’s National Science and Engineering Week event at the Field Centre

Young school children from mid-Wales will have the opportunity to learn about sustainability and biodiversity during National Science and Engineering Week.

Members of staff from the School of Biosciences are inviting pupils to participate in a range of fun, practical activities at the Llysdinam Field Centre in Llandrindod Wells. During a series of interactive workshops, children will be able to plant sunflower seeds, view and hold a selection of amphibians, learn to make bird treats for the garden, and follow a trail of animal tracks around the woodland.

Dr Simone Lowthe-Thomas, the event’s organiser, said: "We have been involved in National Science and Engineering Week for a number of years. We are particularly keen to hold this type of event at the Field Centre so that children from rural areas can interact with University staff and learn about University research. It is also a great opportunity for us to also inform their teachers and parents about issues like sustainability and climate change".

The schools involved are the Cylch Meithrin, a Welsh medium pre-school, and Newbridge-on-Wye Primary School. At the end of the day, the schools will be given bird boxes and pupils will also be presented with "Junior Wildlife Investigator" certificates.

This one-day event on 10 March 2009 is one of a number of events organised at the University to celebrate the British Science Association’s National Science and Engineering Week (6-15 March 2009). A full listing of events can be found here.

During the course of the week a series of lectures, workshops, interactive events and even some stand-up comedy will bring science and engineering alive for the public.

The University has also planned a series of events for Brain Awareness Week (16-22 March) and the Economic and Social Research Council’s Festival of Social Science (6-15 March).