More than nine out of 10 of Shetland’s primary pupils attended the islands’ week-long Science and Technology Fair last week.
Many of the 3,500 children visiting the displays in Lerwick travelled from outlying islands like Unst and the more remote outposts of Out Skerries and Foula by aircraft, ferry or bus.
The fourth fair to be held in six years featured exhibitions and activities from Madlab and the Playcentre, from the Edinburgh Science Festival, Edinburgh University’s Sci-Fun and Satrosphere from Aberdeen. Groups, including the field studies trust, Young Engineers and the playgroup association were also represented.
The theme was energy and children were asked to plan an energy-saving house. Norma Smith, headteacher of Lunnasting primary, said that the fair gave an opportunity to fulfil 5-14 attainment targets in science and technology. “It is very much a case of the mountain being taken to Muhammad,” Mrs Smith said.
Ann Beaton of Satrosphere, which displayed inertia wheels, gyroscopes and a life-sized, glass-encased sheep a la Damien Hirst which processes grass, was surprised by the “amazing response” from visitors of all ages.
