Intertek supports future of science with Aberdeen schools fair
03 Jun 2015
Intertek, a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide, has spurred on the next generation of scientists by sponsoring the final of the Intertek Primary School Science Fair.
Twelve primary schools from around Aberdeen took part in the event on Monday 1st June at Aberdeen University’s zoology premises.
Intertek’s team of judges chose Jude Laing of Kingswells Primary as the winner for his project ‘Vinegar Volcanoes’. The team of Patrick Lang and Morgan Daniel of Mile End Primary and Mairi MacDonald, also of Kingwells finished closely behind in second and third places respectively. Each of the winners was presented with a trophy by Karin Ovari, Regional Manager of Intertek’s Performance, Safety and Environment business.
Neil Cousland, Business Development Director for Intertek Exploration and Production, said: “Intertek is proud to continue to support this event, building young people’s interest in science and hopefully motivating them to pursue the sciences in their education. It is important to Intertek, and to much of British industry, that our educational system develops the scientists of the future and this type of event is important in progressing that.”
The participating schools held their own science fairs earlier in the year, with the top two winners from each school being entered to the city final sponsored by Intertek. Pupils chose their own topics and carried out much of the work in their own time. Each project must present their results based on the same headings: aim and hypothesis, good procedures, repeat results and control of variable.
During the final, pupils were given tours of the Aberdeen Biodiversity Centre, Zoology Centre and Botanical Gardens. They also got the opportunity to see scientists in action at the university labs.
Fiona Saunders, Aberdeen City Council’s Science Development Officer, added: “This is the fourth year of the Intertek Primary School Science Fair and we are always impressed at the standard of work put forward by the pupils. They have worked incredibly hard and their passion and enthusiasm shows in the ideas that they choose to develop for their projects.”
According to research published last year by the Chamber of British Industry, over a third of companies, or 39%, experience difficulties filling science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) roles. Intertek, which grew from a company founded by light bulb inventor Thomas Edison, currently offers more than 35 young people a year across the UK the opportunity to join the company through apprenticeships, graduate traineeships and on-the-job training.
In March, the organisation opened its laboratory doors to science and engineering students in Aberdeen and Sunbury for British Science Week, in conjunction with the British Science Association. This allowed students first-hand experience of science and engineering and encouragement to enter STEM careers.
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Kathryn MacKenzie
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About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 38,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.