Getting excited about science

TIMEKEEPER: Liam Kerr, 14, of Chanel College, explainer for the `How old is the Earth' exhibit.

The Science Roadshow came to Wairarapa yesterday, bringing hands-on enlightenment to the region's schoolchildren.

The show is in its first week of a nationwide tour, which began at Naenae Intermediate.

Yesterday and today it was parked at Chanel College, Masterton, where it is being visited by pupils from 11 schools.

Manager Andrew Beale said the show "provides another method - another vehicle for learning, and getting kids enthused and interested in learning about science".

Teachers, parent helpers and Chanel College students gave their time as "explainers" of exhibits spanning physics, chemistry, biology and geology and astronomy.

Chanel College student Liam Kerr, for example, was overseeing a 3D geological timeline exhibit "about how old the earth is - about dinosaurs and other creatures that are extinct".

Other exhibits tackled oil wells, optical illusions, temperature and gravity.

The roadshow runs annually and has 70 exhibits, in six themes and with two demonstrations, which change every year.

The roadshow is targeted for pupils of years 5 to 9, (10 to 13 years old).