Two students at the Mcast Institute of Community Services, Dorianne Calleja and Anthea Zammit, recently participated in the 20th EU Contest for Young Scientists in Copenhagen, Denmark with their project 'Biological and Non-Biological: Is there a Difference?' The project compared different washing powders' ability to reduce or completely eliminate the presence of micro-organisms in clothes being washed, and revealed that biological washing powders were more effective. It competed alongside 86 other projects by youths from 39 countries from across Europe, as well as China, Canada, Mexico, New Zealand and the US.

During their stay in Copenhagen, the students met some of the most prominent scientists in Europe, visited Vestas industrial firm and the Carlsberg Research Centre, as well as key Danish landmarks such as the Little Mermaid and Tivoli Gardens. They were accompanied by Mariella-Pia Tabone, head of educational and cultural affairs at the National Student Travel Foundation (NSTF) which, since 1997, has been nominated by the Ministry of Education as the national organiser of this contest which aims to encourage young people to pursue their interest in science and embark on scientific careers, and forms part of the EU's 'Science in Society' programme.

"Promoting co-operation and exchange between young people who have an interest in science is part and parcel of the EU's activities to foster a vibrant European Research Area," said European Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potocnik. "If there are two crucial elements of Europe's future, it's our young people and our research ability, so it's very heartening to see the interest from around the world in this contest."

The next edition of EU Contest for Young Scientists will be held in Paris next September. Students interested in participating in the next edition of the NSTF Contest for Young Scientists should visit the NSTF website at www.nsts.org.