Former BBC weather presenter Heather Reid is to judge the efforts of Scotland’s best young scientists and engineers at an event in Perth.
The Big Bang Scotland is a one-day fair on June 13 to highlight innovations, inventions and investigations underpinned by science, technology, engineering and maths, all vying for a range of awards.
Schools have until March 31 to register their projects for the event, being held at Perth’s Concert Hall and Museum and Art Gallery.
Heather, who left the BBC in 2009 to work on science education projects, is keen that there is a good representation of local schools.
“It provides a tremendous opportunity to develop team building and communication skills while gaining an appreciation of how science, technology, engineering and mathematics influence the world around us,” she said.
The national contest is open to pupils aged 11-18 in Scotland, including those in youth groups such as Scouts and Girl Guides. Pupils can choose to work individually or in teams and last year the event attracted nearly 250 entrants from more than 30 schools.
Judging will culminate in an awards ceremony with prizes including Scotland’s best overall science project and Scotland’s best overall engineering project. Some winners will be invited to compete in the finals to be hosted at the NEC in Birmingham next year.