This month saw the return of the Welston Challenge – an annual competition running since 2007, involving local schools.

Year 4 pupils from St Florence, Manorbier and Sageston schools joined in with the challenge with the Dragon LNG Darwin Experience team.

The day was kindly hosted by the founders of the Darwin Centre, Professor Tony Campbell and Dr Stephanie Matthews at the Welston Court Science Centre in Milton.

Due to Covid, the competition had not taken place since 2019, so the pupils were excited to take part in a round robin of activities, which included a Darwin nature walk, pond dipping, microscopes and bioluminescence in the dark laboratory.

The attending staff from the schools weren’t left out, they were given an introduction to the new microplastic project from the Young Darwinian which will be making its way to Pembrokeshire schools soon.

The overall winners of the day were Sageston CP who last won the trophy in 2016.

Samantha Williams, manager of the Darwin Centre said: “Pupils from all three schools were on task and it was an incredibly close competition but the inquisitive nature of the Sageston pupils shone through.

“It was great to be able to resume this longstanding event and to use such an inspirational space as Welston Court.”

The Welston Challenge will return next September with the Year 4 pupils eager to give Year 3 some pointers for their turn next year.