Capow expo on wastes

Bailey Ngataierua (10) has a close look at a cicada shell, as part of the group's work on invertebrates.

Pupils from Stratford Primary and Matapu school have been working on a range of scientific explorations. Last week they shared their findings at an expo at Stratford Primary School.

Pupils from Stratford Primary and Matapu school worked together on a range of Curious Minds projects.

Pupils have used science to find answers to a range of questions, from which compost item makes the most CO2 to which method of composting organic waste works best.
CAPOW stands for Curious About Processing Organic Waste, and the project has been lots of fun, says Billy Rova, 10 .

Billy Rova (10) explored the CO2 emissions from a range of compost items.

"It's been good not just finding out answers to things, but also thinking of what questions we want answered and also learning about how we can scientifically get those answers."

The group was helped by scientist John Coplestone from Industrial Chemical Services, Stratford, who introduced them to soil testing and how to study the various micro organisms in their compost and soil.

Amy Vickers (10) takes a close look at a white butterfly.

The two schools were funded by Venture Taranaki as a pilot scheme as part of Curious Minds Taranaki.