For a number of years now, either side of a Covid gap, the Lower School has offered science workshops to other Norwich primary schools – part of its outreach programme to the community. At the outset, it was agreed that Jonathan Worton, as Science Coordinator, should host the sessions, ably assisted by technician Penny Green, using the purpose-built lab. The idea was not to show off the Lower School or its staff to visiting pupils and teachers, but rather to enthuse them about the application of science and hopefully inspire a curiosity to investigate further. What’s more, by just using ‘kitchen-sink’ materials and easily-sourced items, it is easy to have fun with real science and get hands-on with experiments.
To this end, Jonathan put together a workshop ironically called ‘It’s not rocket science!’, inspired by his love of space. Actually, it is indeed rocket science – around a theme of Newton, rocket history and ways to generate enough thrust to escape gravity and reach the Moon. Visiting pupils – usually around 30 for each session from Year 4 – are all so excited to try catapulting foam thumb rockets across the Hall and upwards to the roof. Jet power is explored through making and releasing balloon rockets, that zoom along strings – can theirs go the whole way and hit the wall? The best reactions though are generated when the children put water and Alka Seltzer pills into film canisters. After a nervous wait, these rockets blast off with a loud pop, hit the ceiling with a bang, and cause screams of joy!
After a short break of juice and school-made cookies, calming nerves and re-energising minds, the children and teachers head out onto the school field (whatever the weather) to test two further methods of propulsion. One pupil is tasked with pumping air into a water bottle rocket – and they soon realise the immense pressure needed. Without warning, the bottle suddenly flies up a hundred feet or more, to whoops of amazement. Then all too soon, as a finale to the 90-minute workshop, all gather round a proper model rocket – sitting on its launch pad, with a solid-fuel rocket engine inside. One lucky child is selected to press a red button…and with a loud, fiery whoosh launches the rocket. It flies almost beyond sight, higher than the Cathedral, until spotted by a keen eye floating back to earth on a parachute.
Another session has come to an end, and the visitors must return to their own school. Encouraging team work, testing knowledge, using investigative skills, generating a love of science, having fun with it – these are the goals of ‘Sensational Science’. And as the children’s excited chatter accompanies them to the coach, Jonathan and Penny know that, once again, it has all been worthwhile.
- Jonathan Worton