Budding young scientists from the North East paid a visit to Robert Gordon University (RGU) to learn about DNA, slime and homemade ice cream.
A total of 14 children from Lathallan Nursery in Johnshaven spent a day at RGU’s Garthdee campus recently and worked alongside scientists from the School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences.
The children, aged between four and five years old, conducted several experiments with the RGU scientists who introduced them to basic scientific work and equipment.
After learning how to extract DNA from a strawberry, the nursery children then made their own green slime as well as their own flavoured ice cream with liquid nitrogen which they could customise with different flavours.
Dr Marie Goua, Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences at RGU, hosted the nursery science session with colleagues from pharmacy and nutrition.
She said, ‘The children were very enthusiastic and it was a lot of fun working with them on the experiments.
‘They were keen to make slime and try the ice cream they made with liquid nitrogen, which definitely sparked their imagination.
‘It was a very exciting session and I think we may have inspired future scientists and nutritionists!’
Colin Christie, Lathallan Nursery Administration Manager, accompanied the nursery children to RGU with colleagues and parents.
He said, ‘We’re very grateful to Dr Goua and the team at RGU for facilitating our nursery’s science session in the Sir Ian Wood Building.
‘The children were engaged throughout the day and had lots of fun with the experiments. They were definitely surprised that they could make their own ice cream and make it so tasty.
‘Getting the chance to create their own slime was definitely a highlight. The children all enjoyed this fantastic introduction to science.’
