Sense-sational Spiderweb to Lure School kids into Science
Wednesday 7 March 2007
A giant spiderweb, smell pipes and prism glasses are just a few of the ingenious devices which scientists at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) hope will spark a lifelong interest in science in the capital’s school children.
To celebrate National Science and Engineering Week a team led by scientists at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology have devised Sense-sational Science, a fully interactive exhibition which aims to channel children’s natural enthusiasm for animals and awaken a passion for science in young people.
Interest in the natural world, the environment and its conservation has never been higher, and conscious of the falling numbers of students taking up science at higher levels of education, ZSL is making a proactive effort to engage children in the subject.
By investigating the five senses and learning how animal senses differ from humans, Sense-sational Science will demonstrate the variety of ways science benefits society in general, and enable children to experience for themselves what being a scientist is all about.
In an attempt to stage London’s biggest science project, more than 1,500 school children have been invited to take part in the thirteen different experiments which make up the exhibition and have the opportunity to collaborate their results online, via the ZSL website, when they get back to school.
As part of the two-week event, there will be twice daily opportunities to Meet the Scientist. Sixteen scientists, all distinguished in their respective fields, have volunteered their services in the hope that communicating their zest for science will inspire the scientists of future.
