Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Resources Minister George Pullicino this morning joined hundreds of primary and secondary school students for a hands-on experience of science and technology.

They were attending the Science Festival being held by the Malta Council of Science and Technology to promote science among young people.

Dr Gonzi toured the various exhibits and displays and in a short address stressed the importance of science and technology for Malta’s future economic development.

He said that the availability of skilled workers was a key determinant in attracting foreign investment to Malta and such events had the potential of enticing children towards science subjects.

Science was present in a fun environment where children could feel the ground beneath them tremble during an earthquake simulation while others had a go at creating a thunder bolt in a small glass case.

The schoolchildren also learnt about mirages and pulleys, about how waves were generated and how wind turbines worked. Some got to make their own kaleidoscope while others enjoyed looking at their distorted images in “fat and thin mirrors”.

The festival will go on until Sunday, between 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. at the University.