Solar powered cars, exploding gases and a light sensitive automatic camera are just a sample of the topics being covered in the University’s Schools’ Masterclasses this week.

Over 500 pupils from throughout East Anglia, the Midlands and London are sampling life at the University in a series of classes and activities at several of the Colleges.

Students between the ages of 13 and 16 are visiting Cambridge to learn more about the world of science and its applications in everyday life.

The groups are attending a number of talks and activities organised to develop interest in the area of science and give the pupils a better understanding of higher education.

The University Eco Racing Team are giving pupils the opportunity to design and build their own solar car. The teams of teenagers must consider components, aerodynamics, aesthetics and performance when developing their vehicles.

David Ansell, a member of science education group the Naked Scientists, also features with a talk and demonstration that looks at the behaviour of gases, with the help of a vacuum cleaner-powered Bazooka.

The pupils also get the chance to take part in a panel debate about the causes of obesity organised by Triple Helix, a student run organisation concerned with scientific discussion and thought. Miriam Ogden offered an explanation of how the brain interprets what the eye sees and converts light into three dimensional colour images.

Festival and Outreach Officer, Shelley Bolderson said; “The Schools’ Masterclasses are a way of raising students’ aspirations of applying to Cambridge or a similar University, by giving them a glimpse of life at a higher education institution and an insight into scientific study at University. We hope to inspire students by showing the fun side of science and making it relevant to everyday life.”

The Masterclasses, which are in their second year, are part of the build up to the Cambridge Science Festival. To coincide with the Festival the Community Affairs Team have also organised a series of school road-shows where University academics and other experts are travelling the county to deliver science talks and demonstrations at individual schools.

The Cambridge Science Festival is the UK’s largest free science festival, with over 130 events for people of all ages. Running from March 10 to 20 the Festival will feature lectures and exhibitions for all ages, and a weekend of free hands-on activities for all the family on 15 and 16 March.

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