Briar Chemicals inspires young scientists at schools first science fair

Pupils at Wensum Junior School have been working as scientists this term and celebrated by showcasing their work at its inaugural science fair.

The school organised a spectacularly scientific day, welcoming children, their families and science experts from across the region. Pupils from each year group specialised in a certain scientific area, and created a project to showcase their knowledge.

Year 3 looked at the human body; creating models of lungs and the digestive system. Year 4 researched animals, looking at their habitats, life cycles and the food chain.

Year 5 studied the Earth and space, in particular the work of UK astronaut, Tim Peake, following his historic six month stay on the International Space Station earlier this year. Year 6 carried out a variety of experiments, including which chocolate and ice cream melted the best, and showcased the results at the science fair.

Deputy Head teacher Peter Hubery said: “Our inaugural science fair is an impressive showcase of all things scientific; inspiring the next generation to get involved with this wonderfully diverse subject”.

Students from CNS studying for the Youth STEMM Award, a new scheme in the UK which runs in a similar way to the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, joined the pupils to talk about their work and what inspired them to study STEM subjects.

The young scientists were entertained by Dr Dee Enay and her Mad Science experience, an inflatable planetarium and displays from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The event was sponsored by Briar Chemicals in Norwich.

Site manager at Briar Chemicals, Tim Green, said:

It’s really important for us to encourage and support the young scientists of the future so we’re delighted to be sponsoring this Science Fair at Wensum Junior School.

Tim added: “It’s a great initiative from the school and I’m sure that the pupils will all have learned a great deal as well as having fun.”

Other activities throughout the term included a trip to the London Science Museum, and Year 4 children worked with BBC Voices to film footage for a science fair documentary.