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Researchers from Heriot-Watt University have organised and participated in Native Schools sessions, promoting science and language integrated learning to more than 60 pupils.
It is an extraordinary volunteer effort from all mentors who share their scientific and technical knowledge in their mother tongue.
Two Native Schools events took place in Edinburgh under the lead of two postdoctoral fellows from Heriot-Watt. Dr. Ana Catarino, a Marie Curie fellow in the School of Life Sciences, together with colleagues, talked about mechanical engineering, chemistry, biology and programming to pupils at Lusofonias, the Portuguese School of Edinburgh. Dr. Stephanie Zihms, a postdoctoral research associate in the School of Energy, Geosciene, Infrastructure and Society, and her team engaged with pupils from the AllemannFun German Saturday school in Edinburgh, covering topics such as robotics, chemistry, biology and bookmaking.
Language skills and a passion for science
The Native Schools projects is under the umbrella of Native Scientist, a non-profit enterprise that fosters bilingualism through science outreach. The goal is to improve children's multilingual skills, while inspiring a passion for science.
Dr Ana Catarino said, “The relationship we have with the pupils and parents from Lusofonias has, over the past year, been a rewarding experience. I am happy to see Native's community growing and reaching more children in Scotland. These activities are also a key opportunity for foreign researchers to network in Scotland and in the rest of the UK, while developing their communication and outreach skills.
“It is an extraordinary volunteer effort from all mentors who share their scientific and technical knowledge in their mother tongue.”