Ove Arup Foundation

Benjamin Franklin House Science Day receives Foundation support

The 2009 Benjamin Franklin House Science Day has received an award of £3,000 from the Ove Arup Foundation towards its 2009 Science Day and Science Fair.

The annual three-month project culminates in an inter-schools event, involving up to 250 students in the practical application of scientific knowledge. Students are encouraged to devise creative solutions to scientific and engineering challenges that were encountered by Franklin and which remain relevant today – such as how to generate more heat using less fuel.

The Foundation's grant helped to increase the number of participating schools, and will fund more school visits as part of the project, and the development of new teaching materials.

Rob Taylor, Education Manager at Benjamin Franklin House, commented that the award "ensured this event was a great success. We were fortunate to have Ove Arup expert Angela Malynn with us who made the idea of sustainable building compelling; several children who participated in our follow-on annual science fair choose this as their theme."

He added: "The award also allowed us to invite scientist Dr Bryson Gore (pictured) to perform exciting experiments that cracked and fizzled in illustrating themes relevant to electricity and energy. Ove Arup understands the importance of learning outside the classroom; we are very grateful to have it as a partner."

The Benjamin Franklin House (BFH) charity occupies the former London home of the 18th Century scientist, inventor and US founding father. It uses the historic building as a platform for enthusing the wider public about science and engineering, through a mix of cutting-edge audio, visual projection and live interpretation.

Its Student Science Centre focuses on education and outreach, supporting the National Curriculum and encouraging young people to become involved and inspired in science and engineering.

For more information on BFH, go to www.benjaminfranklinhouse.org.