Fantastic Forces at Salisbury High School: Collaborative Outreach Project
Year8 students from Salisbury High School were awarded for their winning kinetic sculpture designs last week as part of an innovative project between Engineering Sciences, Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) and The Nuffield Theatre, Southampton.
Designs were judged by academics, members of staff and guest judge Lucy Salisbury, Head of Outreach and Access from The Roche Court Educational Trust, Salisbury.
Between January to March this year staff and students from Salisbury High School took part in a variety of science and drama workshops on campus and in school looking at how forces effect us on earth and in space. These workshops were led by academic staff and research students from University of Southampton. During in school workshops participants also had the opportunity to work with current undergraduate engineering students to build a rocket which was then launched on school grounds.
This was followed by a design challenge where students had to design a kinetic (moving) sculpture which explains some of the topics discussed in workshops. The winning design by Jack Reeve, Megan Robertson and Katie Weeks entitled ‘Sound Slide' was an interactive playground which had a variety of activities engaging users into learning more about forces.
Runner up designs by Leon Porter and Brandon Nees discussed how different tones of sound are created by wind chimes. The second runner up Harry Richards, Ashley Thomas, Joe Skilling and Jake Quinn designed a sound wheel where users manually turned the wheel to create sound as wind moved through tubes as they turned.
Dr Steve Dorney, Public Engagement Manager, ISVR commented "the students had an extremely positive attitude towards the Forces project - they were buzzing about it and several students mentioned that it had made them stick with science. They clearly thought the overall project was "cool"!"
Salisbury High School is still seeking funding to create the winning design which is hoped to be a continuing teaching resource for students to learn about forces in action. We are keen to hear from industry or funding bodies who would be interested in donating time or resources. For further information please contact Sesout@soton.ac.uk
For further information
SES Outreach: www.soton.ac.uk/ses/outreach
ISVR Outreach: www.isvr.soton.ac.uk/outreach
The Nuffield Theatre: www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk
The Roche Court Educational Trust: www.sculpture.uk.com/education