BioCity Scotland, the centre for life science businesses in Newhouse, Lanarkshire, is sponsoring a local school’s science event to help identify the young scientists of the future.
It is the major sponsor of the Dalziel High School Science Fayre 2012, which takes place on Thursday 14th June and Friday 15th June. The aims of the Fayre include encouraging a creative approach to the understanding of science, and active engagement with the business community.
To this end, BioCity Scotland has also announced that it will host the Dalziel High School/BioCity Scotland Award for Scientific Excellence at Newhouse on Wednesday 20th June.
All S1 pupils from the school are taking part in the Fayre this week and are preparing projects in teams of four. This year’s projects include tackling a variety of topics including:
- Investigating the effects of sunscreen on skin
- What is involved in a Lie Detector and how to beat it!
- DNA extraction and understanding of DNA structure
- Investigating the effects of vitamin C and E in the body
Six winning projects will be chosen to compete for the BioCity Scotland award on 20th June.
The selected teams will give presentations on their projects at the BioCity Newhouse site, where they will be judged by a panel of top local scientists. Four winning teams will receive Amazon gift vouchers and certificates, and the remainder will be given runners-up certificates.
The awards will dovetail with an Intellectual Property (IP) event for commercial and academic scientists, who will also be invited to view the pupils’ projects.
BioCity Scotland Managing Director, Ian Webster says it is a great way to become involved with the local community.
“When we launched BioCity Scotland in January, we told North Lanarkshire Council that we wanted to build links with the local community and play an active part in it.
“We already use Motherwell College for our catering needs and this sponsorship of Dalziel High School demonstrates how serious we are about meeting that undertaking.
“The Fayre is a fantastic way of encouraging science in a very lively and forward-looking school that isn’t in a leafy suburb, but right in the centre of Motherwell.
“And it is a great way of developing a pipeline of local scientists for the future.”
Mr Webster added: “The finalists will also be given a tour of BioCity Scotland and they’ll have the chance to meet real scientists in their own working environment.”
Physics teacher Margaret Craw said: “Being able to present their work to professional scientists will be a great experience for the pupils.
“They’ll also be able to see round a commercial science facility and meet some of the people working there, and they’re all very excited at the prospect.”
ENDS
Media contact
BioCity Scotland:
Greg Russell, Integra Communications: 07889 404933; greg.russell@integracommunications.co.uk
About BioCity Scotland
A joint venture between BioCity Nottingham and Roslin BioCentre, BioCity Scotland is much more than a property proposition; it is a state-of-the-art bioscience and healthcare facility, located right in the heart of the Central Belt of Scotland.
In addition to over 130,000 sq ft of ‘pharma quality’ fully fitted laboratory and office space, BioCity Scotland provides access to a wide range of state-of-the-art equipment, available to rent at very competitive rates.
Housing a unique community of commercially minded, dynamic young scientific companies, BioCity Scotland has networking, collaborating and sharing ideas at the heart of its aims.
Wednesday, June 20 Timetable
4.30pm Dalziel High School projects go on show in foyer of the Sir James Black Chemistry Building
Guests for Intellectual Property event invited to view projects
Buffet served
5.00pm Lecture Theatre:
Introduction from Ms Margaret Craw, Head of Science Department, Dalziel High
Pupils deliver mini-presentations
Winning project chosen and prizes awarded
5.45pm Dalziel competition ends and IP event begins