Oxfordshire pupils go wild with Dr George McGavin

Photos by Karen David

World famous scientist, explorer and TV presenter Dr George McGavin joined more than 100 pupils from county schools at a Café des Sciences on Biodiversity hosted by St Edward’ School. Dr McGavin took the students on a whirlwind journey of the world’s species, sparking discussion and debate on the critical role of biodiversity in science and the environment.

Dr George McGavin comments: “This is the International Year of Biodiversity and all over the world we are doing more to raise awareness, especially among the younger generations, about how important it is to learn about and conserve all types of species. Ideas such as the Café des Sciences, where students get outside the classroom and are given a choice of topics they can discover and debate for themselves, are a great way to excite their enthusiasm.”

On the menu for discussion were ‘Why the need for biodiversity and the benefits it brings,’ and ‘How we can stem or prevent the loss.’ After the talk pupils discussed their ideas with Dr McGavin. Schools brought poster displays they had created on biodiversity issues which were judged by Dr McGavin at the end of the evening. Cherwell School won for Most Creative, and Didcot Girls’ School won for Most Scientific Content. Matthieu Marshall of Cherwell School and Eleanor Suter of Didcot Girls School accepted their schools’ awards from Dr McGavin.

Students attending were all Years 8-11 (13-16 years) and were from Cherwell School, Didcot Girls’ School, Headington School and St Edward’s School.

Café des Sciences is supported by St Edward’s School, Oxford and Oxford International Biomedical Centre, a registered charity which promotes healthcare, research and education, with an emphasis on giving state school pupils some of the advantages in science education that their peers in the independent sector receive – www.oibc.org.uk.

Dr George McGavin with Kendall Williams of St Edward's School