Science isn't like work to us, it's more like a game

Jan 22 2008

PEERING into her microscope, 12-year-old Zynap Farah is keen to share her findings.

"Our group is taking DNA from an onion," she says.

"First we are looking at a normal onion, then we are going to look at a rotten one and compare them.

"I joined the club last term because I have always enjoyed science and the things we have done so far have been a lot of fun."

Also in her group is 11-year- old Shakila Begum who enjoyed last term's subject - attempting to solve a crime using forensic science.

"Someone had stolen a guitar from Busted and we had to find out who had done it," she says.

"They had left a bit of their clothing so we were comparing the fibres to find out who it was. The suspects included S Club 7, Miss Dynamite and James Beattie."

Classmate Desmaleigh Carlton, aged 11, also enjoyed last term.

"It was really good fun as we looked at all of the fabrics under a micro-scope and had to compare them," she says. "I would really like to do something in forensics when I finish school."

And Alisha Ullah, aged 11, says Young Engineers' Club is very different from a lesson.

"It is really good fun because you are finding things out," she says.

"It isn't like work, it is more like a game. Last time we were trying to find out who had stolen the guitar and this time we are taking DNA from onions."