NSTF Science Week starts today

The NSTF Science Week opens today during the launch of the European Year of Creativity and Innovation at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity in Valletta.

Both events share the same objectives - that of promoting creative and innovative approaches in different sectors of human activity and help equip society for the challenges ahead in a globalised world.

Nearly 30 scientific projects from 10 Church, independent and state secondary schools and junior lyceums are on display in the 'NSTF School Contest for Young Scientists' section. The projects, titles range from 'A simple electro-mechanical wind vane' to 'Nothing but healthy teeth' to experiments with 'Gel electrophoresis' and 'Quicksand madness'. There are also studies on Maltese honey and the Red Palm Weevil.

Visiting secondary school students will participate in the Youth Climate Change National workshops during which they be involved in a debate regarding climate change that will involve them discovering their own personal responsibilities.

Students from St Aloysius' College Sixth Form and the University's Faculty of Science taking part in the Malta Student Science Forum will have their concluding session during Science Week. They will conduct a presentation and debate the topics 'The greenhouse effect and global warming - an approaching apocalypse?' and 'Climate change in Malta' respectively.

David Spiteri Gingell, chairman of the Climate Change Committee, will deliver an address on 'The climate change strategy and renewable technologies'.

Young visitors will take part in the NSTF Little Scientists' Village, held in collaboration with the Mcast Institute for Art and Design, where interactive workshops will give pupils the opportunity to understand and build star viewers, sundials, windmills, and wind measuring instruments.

There is also an exhibition of pupils' artworks on various scientific themes such as 'Our changing world', 'Frogs', 'Looking at the night sky' and 'Our global garden'. On display are 50 of the best artworks chosen from well over 300 entries received from 25 schools.

Admission to the Science Week is free and open to the public during St James Cavalier's opening hours, with most activities taking place in the mornings. It ends next Sunday with ceremony during which prizes will be awarded to the winners of the various NSTF science programmes.

For further information contact Mariella Pia Tabone on tel. 2558 8241 or e-mail at mtabo@nsts.org.