Young people on the trail of science at the University of York
Posted on 8 March 2005
A total of 175 14-16 year-olds from schools in York and North Yorkshire are taking part in the University’s first-ever Science Trail designed to open young minds to the wonders of science.
Run by the University’s science departments and the Hull York Medical School (HYMS), the Science Trail will give groups of pupils the opportunity to sample different hands-on activities at every stop on a route around the University’s Heslington Campus.
They will have the chance to make their own lava lamps, use DNA to investigate a 'crime scene', try out face recognition software and see a sophisticated scanner to measure brain activity. They will be able to discover how music technology can save lives and learn about magnetism, optics and mechanics as well as the discovering the mysteries of the skeleton and testing each other's reflexes.
The event on Wednesday 9 March is an appetizer for the York Festival of Science and Technology, organised by Science City York, and running from 11 March to 20 March to coincide with National Science Week.
During the event, teachers will be briefed on the £9 million National Science Learning Centre, which will be opening at the University of York in autumn 2005.
For the young people who are taking part, we are convinced that the activities will demonstrate that science is both interesting and fun.
Dr Sarah Mitchell
Science Trail organiser Dr Sarah Mitchell said: "For the young people who are taking part, we are convinced that the activities will demonstrate that science is both interesting and fun. We hope that what they see and do on the Science Trail will inspire them to further their interest in science and scientific study.
"Such was the level of interest from schools in York and North Yorkshire that we could have filled the places on the Science Trail twice over. We hope it will become a regular feature in the University’s calendar in years to come."
Anna Rooke, Manager, Science City York said: "This is an exciting new event which really captures the spirit of the whole Festival and gives students the chance to see a broad range of real science and technology in action. We hope that by showing young people how science is involved in our everyday lives and leads to important discoveries, that they will consider it as an interesting and stimulating career in the future."
Notes to editors:
- Photocall: 10.45am, Wednesday 9 March. Pupils from Archbishop Holgate's School in York will be making lava lamps and their own slime in the Department of Chemistry. Journalists should report to the Porter’s Lodge in the Department of Chemistry at 10.45am.
- The York Festival of Science and Technology runs from 11 March to 20 March coinciding with National Science Week. It aims to bring science to life with a diverse series of fun and interactive science and technology-related events. More information from Festival organiser Ben Wright on 01904 554493.
- York was recognised as one of Britain's "Science Cities" in Chancellor Gordon Brown's pre-budget statement on 2 December 2004. This confirmed the Government's continued investment in science and technology to drive forward the UK's position in the global economy. A £100 million technology investment programme is to be channelled over the next 10 years to promote 'Science Cities' for the North, starting with Manchester, Newcastle and York.
- The National Centre for Science Learning is designed to improve the way science is taught in schools, bringing back excitement and enthusiasm for a subject increasingly seen as vital to the regeneration of the UK’s economy. The Centre will be at the heart of a network of regional centres which will transform the quality of training and support for teachers and technicians in primary and secondary schools. York’s bid to run the National Centre was made in conjunction with the White Rose Consortium of Leeds, Sheffield and York universities, together with Sheffield Hallam University, which will host one of six regional centres.