This daily challenge was aimed at secondary schools. The DVLA (with Lego) ran a separate daily challenge for younger children.
A Chemistry show was held a number 4 times a day in the show dome. This was well attended by participants of all ages. Also 5 shows a day were held in the planetarium with strict registration needed to cope with the capacity. Again, very popular.
Other participants in the Village and Pavilion included:
Bangor, Aberystwyth, Cardiff Universities
Royal Society of Chemistry
IOP(W)
Colwyn Bay Zoo
Llandrillo Coleg Menai Group
Cancer Research UK
DVLA with Lego
Technocamps with Glyndwr University
As an additional experience this year, Zip World erected a Zip Wire adjacent to the Village.
The age group of children engaging in activities within the Science Pavilion is typically up to age 15 years. However, we received numerous enquiries from parents and older children regarding careers opportunities in engineering and other STEM subjects.
The official figures indicate just under 7000 people visited the Science Village this year with 2,800 attending the science shows that were organised daily. The following numbers may also be of interest: regarding the Engineering Group participation:
ICE Bridge (6days): 36 bridge builds, 630 youngsters participating
IET torches: 654
Engineering Challenge (17 teams, 5 days): 38 youngsters of which 11 were girls
EESW Robotics challenge 600+
As in previous years the event proved to be a success. Our volunteers enjoyed the experience and would like to repeat their participation in future years. Approaches already received from teachers in the Region asking if we can arrange visits to promote STEM at their schools.
Feedback from visitors was extremely positive with families staying in the Science village for long periods of time.
A total of 10 IMechE members volunteered during the week. 4 Young members indicated that they would be interested in the YMP activities, details passed to Ethan and Laura.
Gareth Cemlyn Jones
Past Chairman Merseyside & North Wales Region
16th August 2019