Young people take the environment into their own hands
London South Bank University (LSBU) took advantage of the best way to guarantee the future of our environment; by inviting local school children into the university to take part in a series of environmental workshops.
Between 12 and 16 March, The London Engineering Project (LEP) at LSBU hosted a series of events to mark National Science and Engineering Week (which took place between the 9 and 16 March) in a bid to encourage children, especially girls and those from black, minority and ethnic groups about science, maths, technology and engineering.
Each day provided a series of events hosted by LEP members. On Monday and Tuesday, Science Circus proved to be a massive hit with the primary school attendees. They spent half a day building kaleidoscopes, periscopes and investigating how light effects our environment.
Go4SET, from the Engineering Development Trust (EDT), provided the theme for Wednesday. In December pupils were asked to produce projects investigating water usage and how buildings can use water in an environmental way i.e. recycling.
Friday, the most anticipated part of the week, saw the pupils tasked with building a wind turbine. During the session green energy and alternative fuels were discussed and investigated, as a way of encouraging students to take a closer look at ways in which they can help secure our future environment and reduce the effects of global warming.
Shireen Ali-Khan, LEP Events Coordinator said: “LEP’s participation in National Science Engineering Week proved a huge success with all the children who attended. We knew that the best way to reach out to all ages is to demonstrate science through creative and hands on activities.
“Science and engineering is fun and an important part of their future; all those involved in organising the event worked hard to make sure that this was a key element throughout the event.”
Shireen continued to talk about the importance of persuading young people about a future career in science: “We want more and more young people to consider science and engineering as a future career. There is so much to discover and protect and by encouraging young minds means that we are guaranteeing their future.”
Posted: 28th March 2007
