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Primary Schools Visit Science Jamboree at Discovery Park

 June 10 2015 | Kent & Medway | Views: 1813

The Discovery Park in Sandwich, hosted the annual East Kent Science Jamboree for the third year running, hosting workshops to inspire the next generation of scientists.

The popular educational science event saw almost 2000 children aged 10-11 from over 50 Kent primary schools attend the event at the science and technology park over two days on 10 and 11 June.

STEM Ambassador John Coad, from Kent Festival of Science who organises the annual event, said: “Hundreds of children will leave the Science Jamboree enthused and excited by science. If only a small number of them recognise more clearly that science is all around us and is vitally important, we will have more young scientists pursuing a career in science and continuing the amazing work being done at places like Discovery Park.”

The Year 6 children will took part in bite-size workshops and experiments, designed to spark an interest in science subjects and complement their curriculum, including a workshops lead by STEM Ambassadors.

East Kent College also hosted a fun workshop, with college students passing on their skills, knowledge and enthusiasm to a younger generation. STEM Ambassadors from Canterbury Christ Church University’s School of Human and Life sciences taught students about tarantula skins. Kent & Medway STEM hosted ‘World Map Logic’, an unplugged computing activity that challenged pupils programming skills.

A host of Discovery Park tenants ran their own activities, including model railway brand leader Hornby and large science companies such as Tetrad Discovery, Agalimmune, Peakdale Molecular and Pfizer.

Dominique Westbrook, CEO and founder of Tetrad Discovery, and STEM Ambassador said: “This is the third year that we have been part of the Science Jamboree. We particularly enjoy dispelling the children’s thoughts that science is either a) boring, or b) old men with grey hair! To show them science that is completely different from what they are exposed to at school is a great opportunity.”

The Royal Society of Chemistry sponsored the event as part of their Chemistry at Work programme, an exciting and engaging way for students to interact with local organisations based in chemical sciences.

Vicki Aldmington, education co-ordinator at The Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “This is a really fantastic opportunity for young people to experience hands-on science and to talk to practicing scientists about the world of work. It’s interventions like this that can make a huge impact on a child’s career aspirations.”

“At the Royal Society of Chemistry, we fund events like this across the country – but very few on this scale – so it’s great to see the enthusiasm from local businesses, not to mention the joy that both the children and the scientists get from taking part. It’s a testament to the great work of the organisers.”

Kimberley Anderson, corporate relations manager at Discovery Park, said: “We are delighted to host the East Kent Science Jamboree for the third year. Events like these encourage young people to come away with an interest and passion for STEM subjects and what better place to inspire future scientists than here at Discovery Park, where they can fully immerse themselves in the world of science?”


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