National Science Week: Baysday

Set97 was launched in Imperial College on the morning of Friday 14th March. Ian Taylor, Minister for Science and Technology and HRH the Duke of Kent were both present to open the 1997 Technology at Work Exhibition tent on the Queen’s Lawn. The red and white marquees were also the venue for BAYSday - when 3000 schoolkids descend on South Kensington to participate in science workshops organised by the British Association for the Advancement of Science Youth Section.

Many Imperial students, especially those involved in the Pimlico Connection, helped out over the two days of fun-filled activity. Over 6000 visitors were estimated to have trooped along Exhibition Road this year. For the first time ever, BAYS had organised a family day on Saturday, when parents were also invited to join in the workshops.

This year there were over 20 workshops to choose from; children were asked to solve a Chemical Cluedo, build a Balloon Buggie and learn to play the Music of the Andes. Elsewhere at the Exploding Custard workshop, there were demonstrations of kitchen-table experiments to try at home. There were several drama workshops including the People’s Planetarium where the children could become one with the universe