Teenagers explore the wonders of science
Posted on 20 March 2012
The University of York Science Trail 2012 on Thursday, 22 March, is designed to bring science to life by giving teenagers aged 14 to 16 the chance to work with leading academics and current students across science departments at the University.
Teenagers will discover what it’s like to study science at a top university by experiencing teaching and learning first hand on campus in lab sessions, lectures, seminars, demonstrations and debates
Michelle Hughes
Nearly 200 teenagers from 11 schools will sample activities including an Open Air Laboratories Network (OPAL) Bugs Count Survey, with students trying to find as many invertebrates as they can within a set period of time. The results will be fed into OPAL’s national bug survey to help scientists learn more about the distribution of invertebrates across the country and how the urban environment may be affecting them.
Other highlights include a session looking at the process of DNA fingerprinting with the Department of Biology and an investigation of the types of cells found in the body with the Centre for Immunology and Infection.
The Science Trail involves staff and students from 15 University departments and centres and the Hull York Medical School who will help the youngsters explore different aspects of science.
Medical students at the Hull York Medical School will be demonstrating how to conduct a series of diagnostic tests when someone collapses, while other teenagers will be making plastic at the Green Chemistry Centre.
Students will also be making chemical ‘clocks’ that change colour on cue, and enjoying a fun and games session with computing, learning how to build usable, interesting interfaces for the web and mobile phones. A mathematics session will explore intriguing questions such as can a piece of paper have only one side and one edge? And can it stay in one piece even after it has been cut in half?
The Science Trail 2012 is supported by The Excellence Hub, a partnership between the Universities of Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York, which develops exciting and purposeful opportunities for gifted and talented young people to gain new experiences, enriching their learning in school or college.
Michelle Hughes, Widening Participation Officer at the University of York, said: “The Science Trail is an opportunity to show young people how exciting and fun science can be and how it affects us every day of our lives.
“Teenagers will discover what it’s like to study science at a top university by experiencing teaching and learning first hand on campus in lab sessions, lectures, seminars, demonstrations and debates. They will also be able to ask questions about university life, different courses in higher education and about science in general.”
Teachers will be given a chance to learn too. While students are taking part in hands-on science activities, their teachers will attend a free continuing professional development session at the National Science Learning Centre, which is also on the York campus.
Notes to editors:
- The schools taking part in the Science Trail 2012 are:
- More information on the OPAL Bugs Count at www.opalexplorenature.org/bugscount
- For more information on Widening Participation at the University of York visit www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/outreach/
Fulford School, York
Halifax High School, Halifax
Howden School & Technology College, Howden
Winterhill School, Rotherham
Belle Vue Girls School, Bradford
Airedale Academy, Castleford
Queensbury School, Bradford
Winifred Holtby School, Hull
Sirius Academy, Hull
St Bede’s School, Bradford
Brinsworth Comprehensive School, Rotherham
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