Question: you said you would do some work in ethiopa with the money but what type of work would you do.

James Jennings answered on 14 Jun 2011:

That’s an important question, I’m glad that you asked it. The work would be mostly at schools over there- talking science with people that are around your age. I would like design some classroom demonstrations, and talk through them with the pupils. The demonstrations would have a “green chemistry” theme- so would probably be related to renewable energies or extraction of natural products- I have a few ideas in mind!

It is important that the children learn about these topics, as Ethiopia has an increasing need for energy and technology. The country also has access to alot of natural resources that could be used to help the country develop. I think that having someone from outside the country explaining the importance of green chemistry could really get the pupils interested in science as a career.

I would also like to organise school trips to the universities over there. From my own experience, visiting universities at a young age was important, and definitely inspired me to work hard so that I could go!