2,300 School students get hands on with Physics at Work

The young scientists meet working academic and commercial physicists and get hands-on with practical applications of physics through a series of 15-minute interactive demonstrations.

“Physics at Work helps us showcase the many opportunities available to use physics in a career, whether as a researcher or working in a commercial environment,” explains Dr Lisa Jardine-Wright, Educational Outreach Officer at the Cavendish Laboratory.

“We want our visitors to be inspired to continue studying the subject to A-level and beyond.”

Attendees are finding out how particle physics is helping scientists improve ways of treating cancer, how custard powder can blow up a house, and what it is like to do physics in sub-zero Antarctic temperatures.

Students visit six exhibits in total, in groups of about 15 accompanied by a teacher. Each exhibit includes a short presentation, practical demonstrations, and an opportunity for the students to have some hands-on involvement as well as ask questions.

Students and teachers each receive an information booklet to take away which contains information to follow-up in lessons and also career profiles of some of the role models they saw in action.

“Once again this event has been hugely popular with schools,” Lisa said. “All the places were fully booked within a couple of weeks of invitations being sent out.  We are looking forward to encouraging the next generation of scientists by highlighting  the huge range of career possibilities open to young people who choose to study physics at university.”

Notes:

The Physics at Work exhibition runs from 18 – 20 September and is a major part of the Cavendish Laboratory’s outreach activities, funded by the Institute of Physics and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council along with a number of industrial sponsors with support from a wide range of interested bodies, a list of whom can be found on the Cavendish Laboratory Education Outreach website.