BUDDING scientists from Wirral primary schools are being invited to get into the lab and enter a regional competition. 

The Big Science Event 2015 is a celebration of school science across Wirral and West Cheshire.

It challenges primary schools to devise and carry out an investigation about a topic that interests them and create a poster illustrating their experiment.

In-school judging takes place from February to May followed by a grand final and prize-giving celebration on June 9 at Discovery City Learning Centre in Prenton.

Finalists will give live presentations and answer questions from the Big Science Event judging panel.

The winning team will win £1,500 worth of brand new science-themed playground equipment for their school from the UK’s leading school playground company, Playforce, which sponsors the Big Science Event.

More than 1,400 children took part in last year's contest, with 12 school teams selected making it to the finals.

The winner was Overchurch Infant School in Upton whose investigation into how ice melts impressed the judges.

Dr Anne Buckley, science consultant at Discovery City Learning Centre said: "After last year's hugely successful first Big Science Event, I'm delighted that we're celebrating school science achievement in Wirral and West Cheshire again in 2015.

"The quality of last year's entries was superb and I hope even more local schools will be encouraged to take up the challenge." 

Dr Colin MacAdam, managing director at Playforce said: "It's an honour for us to be part of the Big Science Event and to support Discovery City Learning Centre for a second year.

"We're looking forward to seeing some impressive school teams again this year."

Primary schools are already registering to take part. Registration forms are available from www.discoveryclc.co.uk/BigScienceEvent.html