Mini Beasts Inspire Future Scientists

HUNDREDS of primary school children are set to get to grips with a host of mini beasts from stick insects to snails during a National Science Week-linked event at Lancaster University.

The event, organised by Dr Christine Taylor of Lancaster Environment Centre will take place at the University on March 23 and 24. Around 240 children will be flocking to labs to learn about creepie crawlies such as millipedes, slugs, spiders and grasshoppers.

Children from a host of local schools will get a chance to handle the creatures and learn more about classification, life cycles and food webs.

Pupils will also get the chance to examine a snail’s tongue, a bed bug and a spider with the help of microscopes linked up to televisions.

Scientists at Lancaster University hope the Lancaster Environment Centre and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC)-funded workshops will give pupils an inspiring new look at the world of science and encourage them to take an interest in the subject in the future. The Lancaster Friends' Programme also made a grant towards the project.

Dr Christine Taylor said: “I am delighted that Lancaster Environment Centre, the BBSRC and Lancaster Friends' Programme are supporting this event. This is an exciting opportunity to provide support for science education in the local community and to inspire the scientists of tomorrow.”