A LUCKY group of schoolchildren in Long Ashton has been given the chance to monitor earthquakes around the globe after a seismograph was set up at their school.

North Somerset Times: Children with seismograph they hae been using to record earthquakes around the world. with their models.Children with seismograph they hae been using to record earthquakes around the world. with their models. (Image: Archant)

In March, Birdwell Primary School was awarded a grant, in conjunction with Dr Paul Denton of the British Geological Survey and Dr Anna Horleston of Bristol University, for a project called Small or Far Away.

During the project, year five children will explore the causes and effects of earthquakes and will show how the development of seismographs has helped save lives around the world.

Birdwell has become the first primary school in the country to have a seismograph and it will allow children to see how earthquakes are recorded.

Class teacher Vika Moisey said: “This project will culminate in a brilliant workshop and presentations event, created by Birdwell’s year five children for their parents and other invited guests.

“All the ideas for the event have come from the children - one child has come up with the idea of making cakes which show the layers of the earth and another child suggested making lots of cakes, sell them to our guests and then donate any monies raised to an earthquake disaster fund.”