SWANSEA UNIVERSITY has given the Urdd National Eisteddfod a boost, with the announcement of an innovative science partnership at the annual youth festival, to be held in Swansea in May.
GwyddonLe (which means ‘science place’), a flagship exhibition, was piloted last year in Ceredigion and proved to be a huge hit, with its range of exhibitions, experiments and other activities for children and young people.
The partnership, which comes at a time of financial worries for the Eisteddfod, is now looking to attract local businesses and ventures to contribute to what it calls “a varied and attractive science experience”.
The university will also hold outreach activities with local schools in the lead-up to the Eisteddfod, which will be held at Felindre on the outskirts of the city, from May 30 to June 4.
Vice-Chancellor, Richard B. Davies said, “Swansea University has a world class reputation for research and teaching and is particularly strong in science, technology, engineering and maths. Through GwyddonLe our staff and postgraduate students will bring science to life in a fun and interactive way for thousands of young people flocking to the Maes.”
Urdd Chief Executive, Efa Gruffudd Jones added, “We’re grateful to the University not only for their support but also their expertise in the science field.”
This partnership is the latest step in a series of developments in Welsh-medium community provision, and builds on the achievements of Academi Hywel Teifi, which was itself officially launched at last year’s National Eisteddfod.