Bollington pupils go batty for science

School pupils from Bollington have been given the chance to learn more about the life of bats from a species expert and meet some of the animals for themselves at a hands-on workshop run by volunteers from pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca.

The workshop, which incorporated a talk on the mammals’ anatomy and a look at how they navigate using sonar, was led by bat enthusiast Clare Sefton, a research scientist at AstraZeneca Alderley Park site.

It took place at St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School last week, and is part of a series of similar science-based courses run by AstraZeneca, designed to bring science to life and encourage budding scientists to consider a career in the science industry.

Schoolchildren from St Gregorys, Dean Valley Community Primary School, Bollington Cross C of E Primary School, St John’s School and Pott Shrigley Primary School come together every half term for the science workshops.

Clare volunteers her time through the national STEM Ambassador scheme run by STEMNET. The organisation joins professionals in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industries with school pupils, to encourage them to enjoy STEM subjects and learn about relevant career opportunities in the industry.

AstraZeneca has supported the national government-backed STEM Ambassador programme since 2003 and has around 100 employees registered as STEM Ambassadors across the North West. Clare has been a STEM Ambassador for seven years.

Clare said: “I’ve been a voluntary bat worker in my spare time since 1992. I think it’s great that I’m able to combine my work with AstraZeneca with my hobby to provide local children with a chance to see this fascinating animal close up.

“These workshops are part of AstraZeneca’s continuing investment in supporting science education throughout the UK, and it’s great to see the positive effects that our work with the pupils has on their understanding of science.”

Kate Gillan, a key stage 2 leader at St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, said: “Our pupils love learning about science in a fun and informal way from AstraZeneca’s team of expert staff.

“The passion that the team conveys for their subjects inspires a great deal of enthusiasm in the pupils, and the workshops really serve to bring science to life.”

For more information on AstraZeneca’s community support programmes, please visit: www.astrazeneca.co.uk/community_support.

For more information about STEMNET, visit www.stemnet.org.uk.