The dedicated team took a selection of ‘hands-on’ experiments to the International Experience for Guides and Scouts - an event that takes place for one week, every four years. 6,000 youngsters from over 40 countries descended on Windsor Great Park for fun, adventure and challenge.
There was a range of activities for children of all ages to take part in, including the Eureka Science tent, in which the Syngenta stall became the focus. “We were absolutely mobbed by kids as word quickly spread about how exciting our stall was,” said exhausted Helen Jones (a Jelaott’s Hill education specialist) at the end of the week.
To entertain the 400 visitors passing through the tent each day, the enthusiastic Syngenta team provided an impressive array of science experi
ments, including DNA extraction from strawberries and bubbling volcanoes to demonstrate acids and alkalis. At the event renowned for its international emphasis, one Syngenta scientist faced a particular challenge – to explain DNA extraction in French! Perhaps the most frequently asked question around the camping site, however, was “where are the cockroaches?” as news travelled fast that Syngenta had also taken a selection of pet insects, including hissing cockroaches and a giant African land snail.
Nigel Smetham (Science Programme Co-ordinator for WINGS) said: “The contribution from Syngenta made sure we had a quality programme that engaged young people. The throng of people around your activity clearly showed the impact created”.