SCS event encourages the next generation of cosmetics scientists

The Engineer Your Future gallery of London’s Science Museum was the setting for the finals of the Scrub Up On Science competition, in which schools were challenged to create a bath bomb or shower gel.

Six finalist school teams were selected from over 200 entries by the SCS panel of judges: Judi Beerling, Barbara Brockway, Sam Farmer, Emma Meredith and Robin Parker with Laurence Jackson School from North Yorkshire, winning the top prize, for their Astronaut Girl bath bomb.

“The aim of the event was to create scientists of the future and get children involved and excited about science,” Dr Emma Meredith tells CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.

“Cosmetics can help this as it gives students a link to everyday products that we use, and this can lead to further engagement in the industry and in science in general.”​

Future scientists​

The event held at the Science Museum in England’s capital invited the finalists to come and present their entries, with five of the six finalists choosing to make a bath bomb.

Along with Laurence Jackson School, Portsmouth High School, Coloma Convent Girls’ School, Charters School, Trinity High School (Glasgow) and Queen Mary’s High School were all awarded Scrub Up On Science Finalists trophies.

“It’s nice to see things you use in everyday life in science. I hadn’t really thought about it before but I now realise why things are so expensive - as I know what goes into them!”​ says Zoe, one of the winners from Laurence Jackson School.

Zoe worked with her classmate Kate on their bath bomb project, and while both girls are still 13, Kate says she envisages a future as a doctor or an astrophysicist, while Zoe is looking to science or ICT.

Nichola Crawford, Director of Learning for Science at the Laurence Jackson School said that winning the SCS Award will have a massive impact at the school, inspiring both teachers and pupils alike.

Scrub Up On Science is the SCS response to many discussions in both Government and academia about the need to link businesses and schools to engage students with STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) that can broaden their career options in the modern workplace.