Schoolchildren from throughout the North and North East of Scotland will gather at the University of Aberdeen tomorrow (Thursday June 6) for the annual ceremony of the British Association Young Scientist awards scheme.
Over 200 primary school children will attend the awards ceremony at the University of Aberdeen Fraser Noble Building at 4pm on Thursday June 6. To attain the top silver and gold awards, pupils have to devise and carry out their own scientific investigation. One of the Gold Award recipients is a team from St Margarets School for Girls with an investigation into the effects of fizzy drinks on teeth. Pupils Eleanor Thackeray and Lynsey Thompson were able to measure rates of tooth decay and staining by soaking extracted teeth in various soft drinks. "Its encouraged lots of our friends to stick to drinking water!" said the girls. Other projects range from investigating car exhaust fumes to recycling paper.
Professor Albert Rodger, Dean of Science and Engineering will be give out the awards. Professor Rodger welcomed the University's involvement in the scheme and said: "I am delighted to see such a wide involvement in this award scheme. I believe it to be an excellent and exciting way of encouraging young people to get involved in scientific research."
Liz Robertson, British Association Regional Officer said. "The British Association aims to make science fun, accessible and relevant. The standard of work achieved by some of these young scientists is staggering and is bound to stand these youngsters in good stead approaching science at secondary level."
Members of the media are invited to attend the awards ceremony. Please contact Ewan Mathieson, tel: 01224 273778.