The winners of a regional schools’ competition to write poems and prose inspired by images produced from the work of scientists at Bristol University will enjoy a day of celebration, fun and workshops at the science exploration centre, Explore At-Bristol this Friday [27 October].

Chem@rt is a new competition designed to engage school children with science through the medium of art and literature. An art gallery of 16 dazzling and intriguing images drawn from research undertaken by scientists at Bristol ChemLabS in the University’s School of Chemistry was sent to 50 schools in the southwest region. Pupils were asked to let their imaginations run wild and develop poems or prose reflecting what the images meant to them.

Dr Dudley Shallcross, Bristol ChemLabS Outreach Director, explained: “The poems and prose, produced by the primary school students, have revealed a plethora of highly creative minds. They also reveal a depth of understanding of the science underpinning these images that is impressive.

“It is clear that both the primary schools and the University have enjoyed and valued this interaction. The primary school university link is one that is rare, this is a shame, we have a lot to learn from each other.”

Annabel Glassby, science co-ordinator, Hillcrest Primary School Totterdown, one of the participating schools, added: “This is really an innovative approach to encouraging children to relate to the science curriculum.  It will have enormous benefits for our children.”

As an additional treat, the children will also meet Dr Alice Roberts, from the University’s Department of Anatomy, but perhaps better known as an expert presenter on the BBC2 BAFTA award-winning documentary series Coast. Alice will present prizes and certificates to the children.

The children, their teachers, parents and siblings will enjoy an action-packed day at Explore At-Bristol when, among other activities, they will gain hands-on experience of a variety of forensic techniques, including fingerprinting, chromatography and hair analysis and then use their new-found skills to solve a ‘crime’.