Nursery school children have won a science prize after trying to work out what would make snow melt faster.

Four young scientists from the nursery class at Wantage CE Primary School carried out a series of experiments when it snowed in January this year.

And earlier this month they were delighted to discover they had won a prize in a Science Oxford competition.

With the help of Cathy Godfrey, their teacher, the children tried all sorts of experiments to find out.

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They put snow in a freezer and on a radiator; they made a mixture of snow, sand and salt - just like the caretaker, Mr Smith - and they watched what happened to the snow that they left outside in the sunshine.

The young scientists did such a thorough job with their experiments that Mrs Godfrey helped them to write it up as a huge poster, and entered it in the Science Oxford Big Science Event competition.

An annual competition, Science Oxford’s Big Science Event challenges teams of children to create their own science experiment or investigation and present their findings to a panel of friendly judges.

Primary school children from 18 schools took part in the Big Science Event grand final online on July 2 to find the most engaging and creative young scientists in the region.

The school was delighted to be announced as this year’s winners, and were the proud recipients of a £250 voucher for playground equipment from the competition sponsors Playforce, as well as prizes of science kits and learning supplies thanks to global healthcare company Abbott, based in Witney.

Headteacher Andrew Browne said: “I am so proud of our nursery children and their amazing teacher, Mrs Godfrey.

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“Our motto in our early years is ‘Be Curious!’ and our young scientists have shown how brilliantly curious they have been.”

Nursery teacher Mrs Godfrey said: “I am incredibly proud of all our children.

“They have been so keen to explore the world around them and curious to find out why things occur in our world.

“Their enthusiasm and the way the children have been thinking about how to carry out their ideas is just brilliant

“The opportunity for our children to be a part of the Science Oxford event has been fantastic.”

The school’s vision is ‘Learning for Life’ where everyone learns, is inspired, flourishes, and enjoys life in all its fullness; in a community of love, respect, hope, forgiveness, courage and thankfulness.

The school for 454 pupils aged 3-11 in Newbury Street was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted inspectors in 2019.

The school is an Academy which forms part of the Vale Academy Trust.