Surfboards, cockroaches and fireballs for young scientists

Staff and students from Cornwall College Newquay have been providing an insight into the exciting world of science for local primary school children. 

Around 130 Year 6 pupils from Newquay Junior Academy attended the ‘Cornwall Science Fair’ event at the College campus as part of British Science Week.

The wide range of interactive science-based activities on offer ties into a wider initiative of raising aspirations in relation to studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects that Cornwall College currently leads.

The children took part in a series of short sessions, designed to educate them on a number of different subjects and show them that a white coated scientist working in a lab is just one of many vastly different professions that can result from studying science.


Conor Kendrew STEM Coordinator for The Cornwall College Group said “the enthusiasm of the pupils was fantastic to see”.


“As scientists we are all about progress, working hard in contributing to society’s collective knowledge, so for myself and my colleagues at Cornwall College to be given the chance to share our passion for science with the next generation has been inspiring,” he continued.


“For them, it was an insight into the working world of science but for us it’s been a wonderful reminder of the future we’re working for. Little do the pupils know, one day their work will take it to bigger and better places than any of us can imagine!”

       


The interactive activities and experiments included taking part in a recycling relay challenge, mindfulness in the natural environment, learning about marine plastic pollution, shaping a surfboard, using the college’s virtual reality headsets to explore the marine environment, fish biology, beach safety, CPR training and racing cockroaches.

The day culminated in an explosive finale of an outdoor, large-scale science experiment to all of the school children as a group. The controlled ‘wax fire’ experiment demonstrated the result of when melted wax is doused in water. The ensuing reaction created a 10 foot high fireball much to the delight of the junior scientists.

Assistant Headteacher Amy Patterson from Newquay Junior Academy said: “On behalf of all of our pupils and staff, I wanted to say thank you very much to Cornwall College Newquay for another fantastic morning. We always look forward to coming to visit you and the children always enjoy themselves - today being no exception.”

For more information on the range of Zoology, Surf and Marine courses available at Cornwall College Newquay visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0330 123 2523.