Physics down in Dorset

The final hands-on physics event of the summer took your Regional Officer and a bunch of cheery IOP volunteers down to the 2010 Dorset County Show.  Once again we were invited to attend by the Thomas Hardye School (a Specialist Science College in Dorchester) and the fun stand attracted much attention from children and adults alike!

A variety of experiments and demonstrations entertained visitors: for the brave ones the ‘Waterproof Hanky’ provided a potentially wet challenge; the musical ones enjoyed listening to coat-hangers and making ‘Loud Lollies’ (about 300 were produced before we ran out of lolly sticks on Sunday afternoon!); and everyone who saw them were intrigued by the gripping rice and diving ketchup sachets…

Over the 2 days of the show between 800 & 1,00o people visited the stand, from the local area and much further afield.  It was particularly encouraging to see how many young girls were so interested in the experiments and keen to have a go!

Many thanks to all the hard-working & enthusiastic volunteers as well as the 6th form students from Thomas Hardye School who took part and helped out!