NSTF has opened the 3rd edition of the NSTF Science Days in Gozo, which is being held at Gozo College Boys' Secondary School, Victoria.

Partnering with Gozo College and sponsored by the Ministry for Gozo, NSTF Science Days opened yesterday and lasts until the Awards Night on Thursday, the 3rd of March at 6.30pm.

First launched in 2014 at the Ministry for Gozo, the NSTF Science Days in Gozo forms part of the annual showcase of Gozitan student submissions for the NSTF Science programmes of artwork and photography with a scientific theme, as well as scientific research and experiments carried out by the students themselves.

NSTF Science Days in Gozo aims to expose the potential of Gozitan students through such programmes and increase the number of young people who embark on a career in the world of science.

Mr Stivala, General Secretary of NSTF, said that there has been over 400 entries for the various NSTF Science contests this year, with the presence of the NSTF programmes in Gozo is continuing to grow.

The programmes include the NSTF Science Art Contest, NSTF Primary School Contest for Young Scientists, NSTF School Contest for Young Scientists, School Lab (organised in collaboration with the British Council) and the NSTF Science Photo Contest.

Besides the student exhibitions which are the focus on the NSTF Science Days in Gozo, this year's third edition will also feature a number of local/ international science communicators delivering interactive sessions, namely:

1. SHARK LAB – Discovering Sharks – Everyday

The workshops will be based around "Discovering Sharks" and will explore these amazing and often misunderstood animals. We will explore the sensory systems and range of senses sharks have evolved since they first appeared in the waters of the place we call the blue planet.

2. CATHERINE MEYER – Little Scientists' Workshop – Everyday

This workshop will include plenty of activities for young students related to the Science Days' projects and various other scientific phenomena.

3. STC & MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY – Everyday

The workshops and demonstrations will emphasise the use of robots in everyday life and the evolution of robotic technology and intelligence along the years. Students will be given the opportunity to learn how to programme NXT robots, they will be presented with a robotics challenge, where they need to put what they have just learnt to practice, and students will be able to see more advanced robotics in action, a brief explanation will be given by a Middlesex academic.

4. DAVID M. FENECH – Betting & Probability – Tuesday

The workshop is going to be about investigating betting. The students will be investigating whether it is worth it to bet in sport or not. This will be done by investigating probability.

5. DEPARTMENT OF E-LEARNING (MINISTRY OF EDUCATION) – Lego We Do Robotics – Everyday

Lego We Do Robotics Construction Sets introduces learners to robotics. Learners are familiarised with the different construction sets and are made aware of the different parts found in the construction sets and the procedure they are going to follow to construct their model in pairs. The idea underpinning this procedure is to give learners an overview what motors and sensors can do in different learning situations. Learners are also familiarised with the software to program the model.

6. MCAST, GOZO – Various Workshops – Every day

– Floppy music: What could possibly old floppy drives, power supplies and an Arduino microprocessor give you? Music! In this project, we are using old floppy drives as our musical devices.

– Raspberry Pi Home Automation: A Raspberry Pi will be used to remotely control basic home functions. A web page, running on this embedded type of computer, will allow the user to turn on and off home lights and other devices!

– The Electronics Design Process: Samples and demonstrations of the electronics design process will be presented.

– Controlling a motor: Students will be able to see how a motor is controlled by the use of contactors. The student can wire simple switching methods and view the various types of switching contacts.

7. CELL EXPLORERS – The Respiratory System – Every day

The children will learn about the anatomy of the respiratory system – they will learn the name and function of the respiratory organs and play a group game to reinforce this learning. Children will also learn about the mechanics of breathing through building a simple lung model. Furthermore, the concept of lung capacity will be discussed.

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