University hosts GwyddonLe at the Cardiff and the Vale’s Urdd Eisteddfod 2019
For the ninth year running, the University hosted the GwyddonLe science pavilion at the National Urdd Eisteddfod, the largest touring youth festival in Europe. The GwyddonLe, coordinated by Academi Hywel Teifi, was a huge success and attracted more than 40,000 visitors throughout the week. The GwyddonLe provides children and young people with the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities from the world of science and technology under the leadership of Swansea University’s scientists.
Amongst this year's activities, Swansea University launched its new research vessel, the RV Mary Anning. The vessel, moored in Cardiff Bay, was officially launched by Game of Thrones star, Iwan Rheon. Visitors were also able to take a tour of the vessel with Faculty of Science and Engineering staff during the week.
A public speaking competition, Her Academi Morgan (Morgan Academy Challenge,) was held at the GwyddonLe on Friday 1 June. The event was sponsored by the Morgan Academy in cooperation with Faculty of Science and Engineering and Academi Hywel Teifi. The competition, which was launched in 2018, aims to give pupils the opportunity to display their debating and reasoning skills in addition to receiving feedback from the judges who are leading figures in the field of policy and politics, Jeremy Miles AM and Assistant Director of the Morgan Academy, Dr Aled Eirug. The winner of the competition, winning the Morgan Academy Scholarship of £250 and a Morgan Academy arranged work experience, was Thomas Kemp from Garth Olwg School.
Other activities at the pavilion included the opportunity to code robots, ride a hydrogen bike, learn about plastic pollution and its impact on the environment, help professional astronomers to explore the wonders of the universe and much more. Swansea University also worked in collaboration with external partners who added to the activity and excitement at the GwyddonLe, namely the Institute of Physics in Wales, WWF Cymru, See Science Ltd, Creadigidol, Finning Ltd, Astro Cymru, IBERS Aberystwyth University, and Mad Science.
