BLOWING up marshmallows and looking at maps of the Milky Way were just some of the fun activities that were on offer last week when Montalbo Primary School held its first science fair.
During the morning pupils were treated to scientific sessions by staff from Glaxo Smithkline and Durham University, along with STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) “ambassadors” from Teesdale School.
In the afternoon pupils were encouraged to bring their family and friends to the fair, where there were a number of stalls and stands with experiments on display.
Headteacher Chris Minikin said he was delighted with
the number of people who
attended the fair and added: “It’s great see that we
have such a representation here. There is an early years nursery, primary and second school, university and an
employer, so it really shows
the progression for them
and where science can take them.”
The school’s “science ambassadors” manned stands, which showed what each class had been learning about – from biology to physics.
Apprentices at GlaxoSmithKline enthralled children and teachers with experiments on the production of creams.
STEM ambassadors from Teesdale School performed a mixture of demonstrations including one which showed what happens to a marshmallow in a vacuum.
Durham University brought its inflatable planetarium and ran half hour stargazing sessions.
Dr Felicity Greenwell, science teacher at Montalbo school, said: “It’s been a great success and has given the children the opportunity and chance to ask questions to those who teach and work in science.”
