Ealing: St Benedict's hosts Science Fair

St Benedict's science labs buzzed with scientific enquiry yesterday as Year 8 pupils presented their wide-ranging projects to almost 150 visiting junior school children in British Science Week.

How effective are masks against pollution?

How can a space ship sustain life if the earth perishes?

Which paper plane design flies the furthest?

These are just a few of the projects presented at the St Benedict's Science Fair, as young scientists enthusiastically explained their methods and findings to children from local schools. They had been working in groups on their projects in Biology, Chemistry and Physics lessons over several weeks, devising and conducting experiments and carefully recording their results and conclusions. Everyone discovered interesting facts and found out about things such as How acidic is rain in west London and what effect is it having on the local environment? Are hydrogen fuel cars going to help save the planet? And Which activator makes the stretchiest slime? Children from North Ealing Primary, St Gregory's, Holy Family, Chiswick and Bedford Park school and St Benedict's Junior School eagerly quizzed the presenters about their work and enjoyed some hands-on participation, such as testing the speed of various marbles, mixing slime and dissolving sweets.

St Benedict's Headmaster, Andrew Johnson, said: "The Science Fair was a great way to celebrate British Science Week, allowing children to follow their curiosity, devise their own scientific projects in order to find answers, and to communicate their enthusiasm for science with others."

Science Fair took place on Wednesday 10th March.