Hatfield school science students demonstrated a huge variety of research in a competition judged by an expert panel, probing topics as varied as whether hair colour affects static electricity and the dangers of fake beauty products.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Hannah Abbott, Carys Burton, Zuhaira Islam and Aimee Henry.Hannah Abbott, Carys Burton, Zuhaira Islam and Aimee Henry. (Image: Archant)

Nineteen teams from Years 7, 8 and 9 showcased their projects at Bishop’s Hatfield Girls’ School’s Science Fair, explaining their work and giving practical demonstrations to judges, parents, and other visitors.

Head of science Nana Asante-Ansong said: “What is impressive is not only that the pupils decided the focus of their projects themselves, but that they also subsequently worked independently and in their own time to complete their project and prepare their presentations.

“A huge variety of scientific investigations was on display ,including ‘What causes tornados?’, ‘Does dark chocolate make you feel relaxed?’, “congenital myotonic muscular dystrophy’, and ‘pH scale and plants’.”

First prize went to a Year 8 team who compared different hand-sanitising products.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Rheilly Evans, Rihanna Reed-Purvis, Scarlett Grey, Poppy Rawle and Lily LevertonRheilly Evans, Rihanna Reed-Purvis, Scarlett Grey, Poppy Rawle and Lily Leverton (Image: Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Izzy Carpenter and Gillian Martin ( Judge for Science fair)Izzy Carpenter and Gillian Martin ( Judge for Science fair) (Image: Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Eleanor McLaren Dudley, Georgia Childs-Cartwright, Jean Tongola and Amne Nibibira.Eleanor McLaren Dudley, Georgia Childs-Cartwright, Jean Tongola and Amne Nibibira. (Image: Archant)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Ibtisam Minaoui, Emma Sepp, Maryam Ahad and Shajeeya Javed.Ibtisam Minaoui, Emma Sepp, Maryam Ahad and Shajeeya Javed. (Image: Archant)