The two organisations will work together to focus on the science activities at the youth Eisteddfod which will take place on the Felindre site in the city from 30 May to 4 June 2011.

(Pictured: Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, Professor Richard B Davies and Professor Iwan Davies, Pro- Vice Chancellor, Swansea University).

“I’m delighted to announce the partnership between Swansea University and the Urdd National Eisteddfod today,” said Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru. “GwyddonLe is an innovative project and one of the festival’s flagship exhibitions and we’re grateful to the University not only for their support but also their expertise in the science field.”

The partnership between Swansea University and the Eisteddfod will be visible on the Maes (Eisteddfod site) in the form of the Science Pavilion – GwyddonLe. New to the Maes last year, it proved to be one of the most popular attractions of the festival, held in Ceredigion. Full of interactive exhibitions, weird and wonderful science experiments and fringe activities, GwyddonLe received very positive feedback from children and young people.

Work is already underway to ensure this year’s GwyddonLe will be the best yet and talks are ongoing with a number of local companies and organisations with the aim of working in partnership to provide a varied and attractive science experience. A working group has already been set up and the University is playing a pivotal role with two University experts in the field of science, chairing the group.

In addition to the activities on the Maes, Swansea University proposes to run outreach science activities at local schools in the run up to the Eisteddfod. Work undertaken by the school children will later be seen at the Eisteddfod.

Professor Iwan Davies, Pro- Vice Chancellor, Swansea University, explained: “The partnership between the Urdd Eisteddfod and Swansea University builds on the success of the Academi Hywel Teifi, announced at the 2010 National Eisteddfod, to provide a focal point for learning and teaching through the medium of Welsh in the South-West Wales region.”

Swansea University currently has 3,500 students who speak Welsh, the highest number in the region, and provides opportuniities for hundreds of people learning Welsh through facilitating the teaching of Welsh as an academic discipline and promoting Welsh medium scholarship.

Vice Chancellor of Swansea University, Professor Richard B Davies concluded: “Swansea University has a world class reputation for research and teaching and is particularly strong in science, technology, engineering and maths. Through GwyddonLe our staff and postgraduate students will bring science to life in a fun and interactive way for thousands of young people flocking to the Maes - encouraging them to pursue careers in the key strategic growth areas that underpin economic growth and prosperity.”

NOTE:

The Urdd National Eisteddfod, Swansea 2011 will be held at Felindre between 30 May and 4 June 2011

The Urdd National Eisteddfod forms part of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales’ Largest Youth OrganisationUrdd Gobaith Cymru has around 50,000 members between 8 and 25 years old. The Urdd aims to give the children and young people of Wales an opportunity to live their lives through the medium of Welsh, developing confidence and respect for each other and the people of the world Urdd activities include tours and visits, sports, Eisteddfodau, magazines, adrannau and aelwydydd and residential centres

This news item has been published to the website by Katy Drane, Swansea University’s Public Relations Office Tel: 01792 295050. Email: k.drane@swansea.ac.uk