Physics gets creative at Bath Taps

With National Science & Engineering Week in full swing, the annual Bath Taps Into Science Fair once again attracted crowds of children and adults keen to have some science fun!  This year the Institute of Physics stand was a little different, with some new ‘Creative Physics’ activities making their debut.

 Aided by some very enthusiastic students from the Physics Department at the University of Bath, visitors to the stand could try their hand at…

…making a Galaxy Suncatcher…

…designing their own Planet…

…or even creating a Particle Collision mobile!

Over the 2 days at the University of Bath and Green Park Station more than 500 children and adults came along and made something to take away with them. It’s no surprise that we got through 15 kg of rice, over 700 balloons and lots and lots of glitter!   

Much fun was had by all (even if some of it was quite sticky) and some wonderfully original creations were produced. People really got to use their imagination whilst finding out a bit more about some different areas of physics. Some were surprised to learn when talking to the student volunteers that that being a physicist isn’t all about learning facts and figures ~ you can be imaginative and creative too.   

No-one was too young (or too grown-up) to have a go…

You can see the stand and the rest of the Fair in full swing in this video here: http://vimeo.com/21706314.  Watch out for the ‘Creative Physics’ activities at more IOP events across the South West this summer…

Bath Taps is organised by the Maths Department at the University of Bath and this year was pleased to receive a grant from the SW HE STEM Programme, as part of the Student STEM Communicators project.