BOLTON YOUNG SCIENTISTS ARE BUBBLING WITH ENTHUSIASM

07/10/2009

MINI-scientists at a Bolton Primary School are bubbling with enthusiasm about chemistry - thanks to a special science lesson.

The Year Six pupils at St Richard's Catholic Primary School were transformed into mini-scientists for the day to produce their very own bubble-blowing mixture and bars of super soap.

The pupils at the Atherton school were kitted out in white coats and goggles as they experimented on what recipes of glycerin, detergent and water produced the best bubbles for blowing.

The young scientists then recorded all their findings – ranking their bubble mixtures on bubble size, number of bubbles and bubble endurance.

Sue Andrews, Chemicals Northwest’s advisory teacher for Primary schools, led the session as part of a scheme to help promote careers in science and industry to the ten and 11-year-olds.

The school is working with Chemicals Northwest as part of an on-going Children Challenging Industry programme to challenge children’s perceptions about the chemical industry, which is still one of the region’s biggest employers and the country’s biggest exporter.

Mrs Andrews said: “Chemicals are vital to everything we do and it is essential that we have more exceptional chemists and scientists coming through the ranks to work in the chemical sector.

“Our work is not only to change the perception of the chemical industry with the younger generation but to show them how interesting and exciting jobs in science and chemistry can be.

“We grab the children’s attention with practical experiments such as this bubble blowing experiment and follow it up with a site visit to a local chemical company.

“The children love doing the experiments and getting kitted out in the goggles and gloves.

“Throughout the session they are addressed as ‘young scientists’ and each have a role such as health and safety officer or resource manager.

“The activities not only involve science, maths and teamwork but also really mimic industry. It encourages the children to be excited about science and maybe one day a career as a chemist.

“The response we have had with these children is amazing. They were so excited to have made their own bubbles and soap and are even more excited to take their soap home to try out.

“We even over heard one pupil telling another that this type of science was ‘really, really cool.’”

Chemicals Northwest are now running science programmes with 40 Northwest schools to allow children as young as nine the chance to carry out experiments and visit some of the biggest chemical companies in the region.

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