Pfizer researchers have been inspiring hundreds of East Kent youngsters to follow in their footsteps and discover the excitement and importance of science. Staff from the company’s European Research and Development headquarters, at Sandwich, captured the imaginations of almost 2,000 primary school pupils at the 15th annual Pfizer Science Jamboree.

Year 6 children from primary schools across East Kent were treated to a whole host of weird and wacky experiments and demonstrations as well as the breathtaking Pfizer Air Show. This year the show included inflating hot air balloons, speeding rockets, mechanical birds and ping pong balls travelling at 200mph to demonstrate the laws of physics.

James Graham, Associate Director at Pfizer for Academic Liaison, said: ”Young people are naturally curious and love discovering how and why things work but they don’t always make the connection between that enthusiasm and what we call science.

“The Science Jamboree is designed to show how science can be fun and our aim is to inspire the children so they’re encouraged to study sciences during their secondary education. They’re the potential young scientists of the future without whom Pfizer and the pharmaceutical industry would not be able to continue with the work of discovering and developing medicines to improve world health.”

The two-day Science Jamboree, held at the Pfizer Social Club, Sandwich, also included demonstrations led by Kent Wildlife Trust and the Thanet Coastal Project.