Bolton School's annual Science Festival attracted over 100 Year 5 pupils from twenty seven primary schools from across the borough. The festival provides an opportunity for gifted young pupils to make use of Bolton School's laboratories and resources and to absorb themselves in Science for the day.
Teams of four spent the morning in Biology and Chemistry laboratories undertaking a number of stimulating forensic and chemical practical activities. Pupils were ably assisted by their own "Science Buddies" from the Girls' Division and Boys" Division Sixth Forms. Dylan Devshi of The Deans School spoke for many of the pupils when he said: "it’s been a fantastic day - fun and exciting - I’ve learnt lots of new things and it’s been great to spend the whole day focussing on just science.”
The afternoon was rounded off by a science magic show by Richard Robinson and an awards ceremony. There were a number of prizes awarded to schools for their team efforts during the day: Branwood school won the Science Knowledge Quiz prize, Blackrod primary school won the Forensic Science activity and Eagley school won the Chemistry Prize. The overall Science Festival prize winners, Greenmount primary school of Bury, were awarded a range of prizes alongside a cheque for £150 for the school to spend on science equipment.
Mr David Geeson, a teacher at Greenmount, said: “It’s our first time here and we’ve been really impressed by the festival. The pupils have enjoyed doing things they just can’t do at our school – it’s been great to make use of the dedicated laboratories and resources that Bolton School offers. I think it will help build children’s love of the subject. We’ll be back next year, without doubt”
Dr Mullins, Head of Biology at Bolton School and organiser of the event said: “Once again, it’s been a great day. The aim of the Science Festival is to inspire an early interest in Science amongst gifted young pupils - for me, this is what teaching is all about and, given how few pupils are going onto study science subjects at university, it is becoming increasingly important. We are fortunate to have outstanding facilities to share with primary schools from all over the local area and, throughout the day, we have challenged and stretched these young pupils.”