Swansea University’s commitment to encourage youngsters with a passion for learning has been highlighted once again at this year’s Swansea Science Festival.
The event, the largest festival of its kind in Wales, has become an annual favourite for pupils and this year they can once again enjoy real-life sessions as well as joining in online too.
Besides the Science Festival, the University has also been helping encourage pupils to show off their talent and imagination through its University of the Future competition.
The competition, which was inspired by the University’s Centenary in 2020, asked pupils to imagine what the University would look like in 100 years’ time and had the backing of bestselling children’s author, David Walliams.
Divided into three categories for pupils in Key Stages 1, 2 and 3, it had different challenges for each age group
Jack Mabbett, who was the winner of the KS1 section, drew a colourful picture of his University of the Future which featured robots teaching students
He said: “I’m so glad everyone liked my design! I loved taking part in the competition because I really like designing new inventions and being creative.”
KS2 winner Amelia Johnson wrote a short story imagining Swansea University rebuilt under water which has been brought to life in an animation narrated by David Walliams.
For Amelia, who hopes to eventually study medicine, her success brought her another connection to the best-selling author.
She said: “I entered because I love writing stories. I was a finalist in the BBC Radio 2 500 Words children’s writing competition in 2019 and got to go to Windsor Castle, where I met… David Walliams!”
Winner of the KS3 category was Yusef Butt who created an animated presentation of his vision of how Swansea University would adapt and change. He said: “I am into sci-fi, robotics, engineering and the future of the world so I thought the competition sounded like fun.
“I learned many new skills such as 3D modelling and used my imagination to a new extent. Now my aim is to attend university because it would give me new opportunities for a brighter future.”