Otley Science Fair

Leeds Beekeepers participated in the 2021 Otley Science Festival held at the old Courthouse. The Festival is an independent, wholly volunteer-led event to promote and celebrate how science, technology, engineering and arts projects work together to improve our world. With Covid precautions being a feature of the event, we managed to obtain a table inside the courthouse along with other exhibitors including Bradford and Leeds Grammar Schools, Bradford University and the Leeds Institute of Engineering. Fresh air was ensured by limitations on numbers and open doors throughout. The RSPB and the Institute of Physics were safest of all with stands outside the main entrance – not the best place on a chilly November day!

The cut-away hive was a great aid in helping us explain the activity within the hive. Our posters of Asian hornets and photographs of varroa mites highlighted the threat to bees and the need for action to ensure healthy colonies. Andy’s slides of bee parts were a particular point of interest to youngsters using hand lenses to view the features more closely. The bee legs, wings and mouthparts were the most popular. Sanitiser and alcohol wipes were in good supply for use between each visitor.

Thanks to everyone who helped – Trish Narayan, Alison Elgie-Heaton, Katey Slater and Cath Graham – a totally ladies day this year!

For those interested in science the event is a good day out with stands from numerous organisations, I used a 3D Virtual reality viewer for the first time and Katey tried her hand at origami, just two of the activities running alongside us on the day. Maybe join us next year as a volunteer at the Science Fair?

Cath Graham