Two hundred young scientists will be coming together at the British Association Young Scientist (BAYS) award ceremony at the University of Aberdeen today (Thursday, June 5). Professor Albert Rodger, Dean of Science and Engineering at the University will be giving out the awards to pupils drawn from North East primary schools.

Professor Rodger, said: "The University of Aberdeen is delighted to be involved in the BAYS initiative. The standard of the projects is extremely high and the young pupils should be very proud of their achievements."

Included among the awardees will be six pupils from St Margaret's School for Girls and eight from Alford Primary who have gained the prestigious Young Investigator silver and gold awards. These awards involve the pupils in devising and carrying out their own scientific investigation.

"The standard of work achieved by some of these young scientists is staggering," said Liz Robertson, British Association Regional Officer, "and is bound to stand these youngsters in good stead approaching science at secondary level."

The projects have included testing hair shampoos to find the best value for money (Jenny Crisp, St Margaret's School for Girls); investigating the strength of supermarket carrier bags (Lia Palmer, St Margaret's school for Girls), growing crystals (Fergus Cruickshank, Christopher Lawson and Donald Fraser, Alford Primary), to checking out the efficiency of washing powders (Laura Smith, Alford).

The BAYS awards have been devised to raise the profile of science in schools and to encourage youngster's enjoyment and involvement in the subject. Thursday's ceremony (at 4.30pm), will include pupils as young as 6 years old. Local groups taking part in the award ceremony include Alford, Bramble Brae, Craighill, Durris, Mile End, St Margarets, Satrosphere and Smithfield. There are over 70 active BAYS groups across the North East.

"It is particularly pleasing to see lots of new science groups springing up across Aberdeen," added Liz Robertson. "Many of these are based around after-school clubs which only goes to show that science is not all serious stuff but can be great fun!"