Children bubble up a greener future
Posted on 24 March 2009
The exhibition made its debut at the York Festival of Science & Technology when schoolchildren took a journey with Fabs, the Green Chemist, to design a more environmentally-friendly bubble bath. They explored the science behind everyday bathroom products and how scientists are making them better for the environment.
This is a very exciting project for us that will hopefully engage more young people in the interesting and positive solutions that Green Chemistry is finding for the environmental issues we face
Professor James Clark
In all, more than 450 people had a go at designing the bubble bath of the future. Using interactive games, they also learned how everyday products, such as soap and shampoo, can have an impact on the environment depending on what they are made from to what happens when they go in the bin or down the plughole.
The exhibition also highlights some of the interesting research being carried out in York, such as using waxes from wheat straw to make lipstick, and how this is being used to help make everyday products more sustainable. The exhibition will now move to Glasgow and Bristol Science Centres.
Professor James Clark, Director of the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence said: "This is a very exciting project for us that will hopefully engage more young people in the interesting and positive solutions that Green Chemistry is finding for the environmental issues we face."
Ian Blythe, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Boots UK, said: "Boots is very pleased to be involved in this valuable and exciting project which engages young people in the key subjects of chemistry and sustainability. This education project, which meets the needs of the national curriculum, teaches young people the importance of sustainability and the important role that chemicals play in our everyday lives."
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Green Chemistry is an area of chemistry focused on designing new processes that reduce the use and production of hazardous substances. The main methods it uses are based around the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. www.epa.gov/greenchemistry/pubs/principles.html
- The Green Chemistry Network is based within the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence at the University of York. It aims to promote awareness and facilitate education, training and practice of Green Chemistry in industry, commerce, academia and schools. www.york.ac.uk/org/gcn/index.htm
- Funding for this project has come from the EPSRC’s (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) Partnerships for Public Engagement (PPE) scheme and Boots.