THOUSANDS of school pupils are to gather to display their creative science investigations.
ESB Science Blast, which aims to make learning `stem' skills fun for children and teachers, is coming to Belfast this summer.
It will feature science entertainment shows, tailor-made for a 7-12-year-old audience.
Open to all Key Stage 2 primary school classes, the objective is to encourage pupils to think critically about the world around them.
Working together as a class, they will use scientific methods of discovery such as predicting, observing, measuring to investigate the puzzling, quirky or unknown.
Typical investigations include: How can we make the best slime?, Why does cake go hard but biscuits go soft?, Where do waves come from?, and Can I charge my mobile device with a fruit?
A showcase event will be held at the ICC Belfast at Waterfront Hall on June 5 and 6.
Managed and delivered by the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and endorsed by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment, the non-competitive education programme is urging schools to register their involvement by February 27.
RDS Chief Executive Michael Duffy said participation in ESB Science Blast introduced young people to the four Cs of stem education - critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and communication.
"Studies have shown that early positive experience of stem can have a lasting impact, which is what we hope to bring about with the thousands of students that participate this year. We have found that the timing of the Belfast showcase event is particularly suited to P7 classes who already have their exams behind them, but any class that gets involved will really benefit and we would encourage as many as possible to register by our closing date of February 27," he said.
