Girls Get A Look At The World Of Science
Lewis Girls School pupils Jessica Hughes, Natasha Bolton, Nadia Marshall, and Caitlin Collins, all 13, learn about light during their visit to Lab in a Lorry.
PUPILS from Lewis Girls School in Hengoed have been given a taste of science at a special event at the University of South Wales (USW).
Lab in a Lorry, a mobile science lab for young people, visited USW’s Treforest campus between September 5 and September 9, to connect young people in the region to science.
Groups from the school took part in organised visits to the Lab, which is designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The visits were organised by First Campus, a partnership of the universities in South East Wales, which aims to raise the aspirations of young people and encourage them to go on to study at college and university.
The Lab in a Lorry programme – which offers 11-14-year-olds the opportunity to explore science through specially created interactive experiments – has been visiting schools, youth organisations, major events, and communities free-of-charge across the UK and Ireland since early 2005. The programme will be running in Wales until March 2017.
The 44ft lorry is fitted with three distinct lab areas where groups of up to six young people can take part in each of the fun and informative experiments. The programme is delivered by volunteers – all scientists and engineers – who give the students a chance to try experiments and think about the surprises and questions that arise.
Lab in a Lorry in Wales is a partnership between the Institute of Physics (IOP) and the Welsh Government. The Schlumberger Foundation is a founding partner and volunteer assistance provided by STEMNET. The aim of Lab in a Lorry is to encourage positive attitudes towards science and to make science and engineering more attractive.
Helen Obee Reardon, STEM Co-ordinator for First Campus, said: “We were delighted to welcome Lab in a Lorry and offer schoolchildren from across the region the chance to see for themselves the importance of science, and how exciting it can be.
“First Campus and USW have a long history of supporting local youngsters who want to know more about STEM subjects. Each year we hold an Engineering Olympics to offer school and college students the chance to test their design and engineering skills against their peers, and our Engineering Showcase gives employers a glimpse of the training given to those who study here.
“Training in STEM subjects has been highlighted as a key to developing the economy, and we are delighted to be able to raise interest in them by hosting events such as Lab in a Lorry.”
Institute of Physics spokesperson James Bamford said: “Lab in a Lorry is a fantastic experience for young people. It generates excitement and curiosity in science by letting them explore experimental science for themselves with the help of expert mentors. If there are any teachers in Wales that would like the lab to visit them at their school before March 2017, then please get in contact.”
Dr Frances Saunders, President of IOP, said: “School students across Wales are in for a real treat. The experience has been designed to give students a real taste of just how exciting experimental science can be.”
Schools can request a visit from Lab in a Lorry through the website www.labinalorry.org.uk which also contains information on how to become a volunteer.
Lab in a Lorry is actively recruiting additional partners to ensure the programme expands and continues to be a free experience for all.
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