TI Geenock Managing Director Gerry McCarthy joins pupils from Newark Primary School at a recent science workshop sponsored by TI.

TI is donating $50,000 to enable Generation Science to offer a free science workshop at all 22 primary schools in Inverclyde, where TI's Greenock, Scotland, fab is located.

As part of the sponsorship, pupils from Newark Primary School will mix up some powerful concoctions in the lab as part of Generation Science, a touring program of science shows delivered by the Edinburgh International Science Festival.

"Fizz, Boom, Bang" is a chemistry workshop where pupils explore the mysteries of mixtures and learn how chemicals react by fizzing, changing color and sometimes even going BANG!

"We are delighted to be involved with Generation Science again this year and to play our part in promoting science in our local primary schools," said TI Greenock Managing Director Gerry McCarthy.

"The shows offer children a fantastic, fun insight into how science can impact our everyday lives."

The $50,000 sponsorship is in addition to the three year funding TI recently donated to Inverclyde Council to improve math and science teaching in local secondary schools.

"So we are supporting Inverclyde youngsters throughout their school education," McCarthy said.

Making science fun
J. Leicester, head teacher at Newark Primary School, said: "We are delighted to welcome the Generation Science tour to the school. 'Fizz, Boom Bang' is an excellent way of engaging our pupils in science using some of the simplest experiments to create spectacular results.

"It is hands-on and makes science fun and enjoyable."

This year, Generation Science celebrates its 21st year of touring science shows all over Scotland, engaging more than 1 million pupils through bringing science to life, and educating and exciting pupils by the true wonder and meaning of science, Joan Davidson, Generation Science manager said.

"Our workshops and shows cover six different strands of the curriculum for excellence and are designed to make learning and teaching science not just simple and fun, but truly inspirational," Davidson said.

"Fizz, Boom, Bang" is one of 16 shows and workshops provided by Generation Science that are designed to make science fun, exciting and easy to understand and to help teachers cover the school science curriculum.

The Generation Science tour reaches more than 55,000 primary school children and over 600 schools in 31 Local Authority areas annually. It is the largest school science touring program in the United Kingdom (UK) and has activities for all ages, from infant classes to upper primary.