the-BA : Science Fair 2006

A young scientist from Dorset has shown for the first time that caterpillars recruit ants by using acoustic signals in a project which is amongst the entries to this year’s national BA CREST Science Fair on 27 February. The fair, which will take place at the Royal Society, London, will see the cream of the UK’s top young scientists aged 12-19 competing for a number of prizes.

For his project, Eric Topham, 18, from the Thomas Hardye School, Dorchester, studied the Maculinea caterpillar, which recruits ants to carry it to their nest and nurture it until it develops into the butterfly stage. His research featured on the recent BBC programme Life in the Undergrowth.

Eric’s project is among over 60 projects at this year’s fair, which is organised by the BA and showcases the best research projects by young scientists across the UK. Other projects this year include investigations into plant tolerance of pollutants and whether toothpastes actually work and a look at bacterial cross contamination in food and drink distribution at hospitals. This latter project resulted in the hospital where the study was carried out implementing a number of its recommendations, which have also gone Trust-wide.

Frances Cairncross, President of the BA, says: “Many of the biggest problems society will have to tackle this century, including climate change, call for ingenious science and technology. So young people who pursue science and technology at school can make a real contribution to the future of the planet. The young scientists that we will see at the BA CREST Science Fair are the key to our future, both for their outstanding achievements and the inspiration they offer to their peers.”

At the fair, budding scientists will present their projects to a panel of judges including scientists, educators and science journalists, and will have the opportunity to win trips to prestigious international science fairs across the globe.

The BA CREST Science Fair is organised by the BA. The BA would like to thank AstraZeneca, Research Councils UK, Intel and QinetiQ for their sponsorship of the event and the Royal Society for its support with the event.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

Craig Brierley, Press Officer, the BA
Tel: 020 7019 4947
Email: craig.brierley@the-ba.net

Note for editors

1. The BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) is the UK's nationwide, open membership organisation dedicated to connecting science with people, so that science and its applications become accessible to all. The BA aims to promote openness about science in society and to engage and inspire people directly with science and technology and their implications.

Established in 1831, the BA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual BA Festival of Science, National Science Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges.

2. The BA CREST Science Fair will take place at the Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG. For further details, please contact the BA Press Office.

3. The BA CREST Awards is a project-based award scheme for secondary-age students aiming to recognise and accredit students' achievements in science, engineering and technology. More information is available here.

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