Young people hit the trail to scientific knowledge
Posted on 20 March 2014
The University of York Science Trail 2014 is designed to bring science to life for students aged from 13 to 15 from across the Yorkshire and Humber region.
This year’s exciting programme, which includes 17 hands-on activities, provides an opportunity to work with students and leading academics from 14 departments and centres across the University.
Activities include using plant materials to make plastic with the Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, practising basic life support skills using the Department of Health Sciences’ manikins, and learning how to identify and explore different tree species with the Stockholm Environment Institute at York.
The Department of Philosophy will challenge the teenagers to think about the relationship between reason and science through a series of fun mental puzzles, while the Department of Physics will help them to make then launch paper rockets from a high-pressure rocket launcher.
A total of 186 pupils from seven schools will take part in the annual event on 21 March, which has been held at York since 2005. Part of York’s Widening Participation programme, it targets young people from a variety of backgrounds, including those who might not have considered University as an option previously.
Lorna Bowling, Widening Participation Officer at the University of York, said: “The Science Trail is about giving young people an opportunity to explore a diverse range of scientific subjects and practices. The 2014 programme is full of exciting activities to show them how science is involved in our everyday lives and leads to important discoveries. We hope to inspire those taking part to study science at a leading university.”
The Science Trail is supported by The Excellence Hub, a partnership between the Universities of Hull, Leeds, Sheffield and York which provides opportunities for young people to gain new experiences and enrich their learning in school or college.
While the pupils take part in the Science Trail, their teachers will also become students for the day. They will attend a free Continuing Professional Development session at the National Science Learning Centre, also on the York campus.
Notes to editors:
- For more information on Widening Participation at the University of York visit www.york.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/outreach/
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