News

Durham University switching children on to science

(12 July 2006)

A Durham University PhD student is getting school children switched on to science with an interactive experiment on light at Science-Live, the country's biggest outdoor science festival, at NetPark near Sedgefield, County Durham.

Helen Vaughan, 25, is contributing to the interactive sessions at the festival, which runs from Monday, July 17 to Wednesday, July 26 and will include an opportunity for school children to have a go at Helen’s experiment. With ‘The Light Labyrinth’, Helen’s activity investigates how light was used right from ancient times through to the modern day. Helen said: “The challenge is to guide a beam of light through a labyrinth using only mirrors and finishes with a discussion about fibre optics and how they are used to transfer information. Today, fibre optics are used in all forms of technology, from telecommunications to medical appliances.” Helen who is studying physics added: “I really want to bring physics and science to life and explain how it underlies everything that surrounds us. I am really looking forward to this and am hopeful that it will be a brilliant success.” In February last year, Helen joined the Science Outreach programme at the University when she became a member of the Durham University Teaching Fellowship Scheme. The initiative places highly qualified PhD students into local state secondary schools where they assist with teaching and bringing up-to-date science into the classroom. Helen was put on a placement at Easington Community School for two days a week over the course of a year where, as well as teaching, she revamped the lesson plans and ran the after school science club. Helen said: “My most memorable time was when I fired a rocket into the ceiling during a lesson. Fortunately, some accidents often bring about a discovery in science and that day the pupils found out that baking soda plus vinegar gives carbon dioxide, that reactions can be violent and that their Teaching Fellow liked to do things differently!” The Teaching Fellowship is one of the many projects the University runs in its Science Outreach programme which aims to stimulate interest in science primarily in schools, and to encourage better understanding of the application of science in everyday lives within the local community. Helen continued: “I decided to join the University’s Science Outreach programme because there are fewer students studying physics than any other science subject and fewer schools have qualified physics teachers now. “I wanted to put something back into education, because I had taken so much out of it, and thoroughly enjoyed my time at school. “My role as a Teaching Fellow was a great experience and it made me realise that it is very important to have Science Outreach. Because I was on the Teaching Fellowship scheme, the University asked me if I wanted to take part in Science-Live and I jumped at the chance. “I still have a year left in which to complete my PhD but I will continue to work in other Science Outreach activities in the future.” For more information on Durham University’s contribution at Science Live or for details on other Science Outreach activities click on the link or call 0191 334 2338.

• www.durham.ac.uk/science.outreach