School learners with an eye on the sciences got to whet their appetites when the Faculty of Science hosted its annual Science Day recently.

About 160 grade elevens from 22 local schools made their way to the University's upper campus for a day of information and practical sessions interaction. First off, they attended introductory talks by the faculty's deputy dean, Dr Dave Gammon, on the value of a science degree, and Associate Professor Chris Gilmour on The importance of being earnest about mathematics.

Science students - acting as facilitators - then took the learners on a tour of four laboratories where they experienced some of the variety and "flavour" of a number of disciplines.

According to Associate Professor Julia Lee-Thorp, who organises Science Day with Iegsaan Isaacs, the faculty's schools officer, the event aims to bring together talented maths and science students and give them a taste of what to expect at university (and beyond). "We want to give them some insights into what it is that scientists actually do," she said.

"Above all, we want to show them how exciting science is, and the kinds of interesting projects we tackle from many disciplinary perspectives."

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