Thanet-based Discovery Planet will hold free science and creative workshops after being granted £10,000 outreach funding from the Royal Society of Chemistry.
The sessions will be on the theme of plastic and will be delivered by scientists from Kent University’s School of Physical Sciences.
They will begin with a beachside introduction to the problems that plastic can cause, and are followed by three in depth examinations of the issue through hands on activities and experiments, particularly be considering the exciting role of chemistry and chemists in the future of plastic.
Following Discovery Planet’s usual schedule, weekly sessions will be available for pre-booked school groups on a Friday, and for the general public to drop into on a Saturday. Sessions will take place on the hour every hour from 10am to 3pm (the last show starts at 3pm). Thanks to the Royal Society of Chemistry and support from Dreamland the workshops will be free to attend.
The first sessions will be held at the Nayland Rock Promenade Shelter, Marine Drive (opposite Margate Station) on October 12-13. These incorporate a beach clean and sorting the findings to contribute data to the Marine Conservation Society’s National Survey, ‘Beachwatch’.
The next sessions, on October 19-20, will be held at the Hall by the Sea, Dreamland, and involve experiments to find out what plastic is, and the different types.
After a break for half term, the following sessions at Dreamland, on November 2-3 and November 16-17, look at how plastic waste can be dealt with; then the cutting-edge research being conducted at Kent University to make plastic a more sustainable material. Participants will get the chance to ask the scientists as many questions as they like and discover the potential careers available to those interested in chemistry.
To make things even more fun, participants on Saturdays will have the chance to take part in a creative activity inspired by scientific learning.
There’s no need to book on Saturdays, just turn up on the hour. It’s suitable for anyone from age 8-108!
If you’d like to book your school group in for a Friday session, contact Nikki of Discovery Planet by email at [email protected]
There are links to the curriculum and sessions can be tailored to specific age groups. You can also visit www.facebook.com/DiscoveryPlanetRamsgate for further details.