Science on a Smaller Scale

There was nothing small about the number of pupils involved in the Physics labs on Tuesday afternoon, but the average size of the scientists was discernibly smaller than usual, as a group of forty Year 6 pupils from Repton Primary School came for an afternoon visit. With most Reptonians busy on the sports fields, the labs were empty and available for Mr. Wilbraham’s class of enthusiastic budding Physicists to come and try out a bit more practical work than they might usually be able to accomplish on home turf.

The pupils were stretched by finding out how springs behave when loaded, found themselves very much attracted to the work on magnetism, although some did get themselves rather wrapped up in coils when making their own electromagnets.

Mr. Mitchell, Head of Physics, was on hand to assist where necessary, ably accompanied by Physics teacher Mr. Lawrence, and Physics Department Technician Mr. Snider who kindly organised all the equipment for the afternoon. Three of our own lower sixth Physics students also came along to lend a hand, and the labs were soon busy with the sounds of pupils learning about all sorts of Forces.

On returning to school, Mr. Wilbraham reported that the pupils were still “buzzing with excitement when they were picked up by their parents back at school” which seems like a pretty conclusive thumbs up for the afternoon.