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School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science

How Science Works Day

Potteries Museum, Stoke, Wednesday 2 July 2008

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Helen Dutton and James Winterburn presented a ‘World of Waves’ at The Potteries Museum, Stoke-on-Trent. This was part of the ‘How Science Works Day’ which attracted numerous presenters including the army, NHS and ourselves! The ultimate aim of the day was to allow current Year 10 students to make a link between their GCSE science and the reality of modern scientists work.

The day kicked off with a superbly funny yet informative presentation by Dr. Graeme Jones from Keele University entitled Sex, Lies and Sticky Tape! This talk had single-handedly captured the students’ imagination which consequently meant they were much more respective and interactive during our session! Small groups of 6 – 12 students visited at any one time and although the 20 minute presentation was repeated seven times each time was different and enjoyable.

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James initially spoke about sound waves and demonstrated the difference between light & sound waves with the help of a slinky and a couple of willing participants! Straws were used to show how sound travels and how the wavelength affects the sound we hear. Much fun was had blowing through straws and the students eagerly pocketed them to play tunes on the bus home! Helen demonstrated how sellotape has the ability to seen through cross polarisers and how the colour seen alters depending on the thickness of the sellotape. We spoke about science in everyday life and gave examples of how we use it in our chosen careers. We finished the presentation having some fun with a portable microscope, DinoLite, where the students eagerly looked at varying textures on their bodies and clothes. We produced worksheets for them to take away for future reference and we hope we inspired at least a few of them to take science further!
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