Science in schools competition gets children's fingers green

Pupils around England are becoming "green-fingered" as part of a new science-in-schools competition.

The botany and enterprise project, called "Making a Mint", is being organised by the National Endowment for Science Technology and the Arts (Nesta) in partnership with Planet Science.

It is aimed at seven to 14-year-olds and all entrants will receive a free pack of mint seeds with which they are set the challenge of adding as much value to as possible.

Competing teams will then sell their minty products and record their profits and losses on "specially designed balance sheets".

The closing date for the event is July 6 and the winners will receive £1,000 for their school in either Amazon or Garden Vouchers.

Judges will be looking for a combination of growing success, innovation, and money-making "know-how".

Ideas could range from making and selling mint tea to producing a booklet about the uses of mint.

Nesta is devoted to supporting talent, innovation and creativity in the UK and aims to "transform" the UK's capacity for innovation.