Sixth form students of maths and physics were invited to consider ‘where they are and where they are going’ during the University of Cambridge Science Festival in a free workshop designed to encourage and equip them to study physics, engineering and maths at university.
More than 50 Year 12 physicists from schools across Cambridge including The Perse, The Leys, Netherhall, Hills Road Sixth Form College and Parkside gathered for the inaugural workshop of the University of Cambridge Rutherford School Physics Partnership.
The workshop, held at The Perse School, focused on the topic of vectors. It was designed to help sixth formers develop their problem-solving skills and gain practical physics expertise beyond A level.
Co-Director of the project Professor Mark Warner, of the University of Cambridge, explained:
“Physics is often seen as the "geeky far right" of the sciences but in reality physics and physicists cross all the boundaries of science. Physics will help us to solve many of the big questions we face in the modern world, such as energy production, while also making our lives more entertaining, such as driving the technology behind developments like 3D TV.”
Students watched engaging demonstrations, ranging from a tennis ball on a string to an over-sized rubber band, to highlight the significance of vectors in everyday life and scientific research. They worked in groups to solve complex and challenging problems based on vectors, using both their maths and physics skills, and applied their knowledge to unfamiliar situations. At one point they
were asked: “If a poisonous gas was to be released into the room, would we be more concerned
about diffusion or convection in the room as a means of spreading the gas?” The students were exploring the vectors involved in “random walks” and discovered that random motions add up slowly – diffusion is much slower than convection. Stop drafts if there is a poisonous gas present!
Eliza McIntosh, a teacher of physics at The Perse, said:
“We’re delighted to support this important initiative by hosting the workshop. It was a great opportunity for students to practise the skill of deconstructing problems and generating ideas, and will help sixth formers in their current studies and later at university.”
After a series of pilot workshops at The Perse and other schools across the country, the Partnership intends to roll out similar workshops nationwide to complement the online resources available at www.rutherford-physics.org.uk
Further information about the project: David Taylor dst28@cam.ac.uk