Small science returns to South West

The ‘Small Science, Big Ideas’ talk returned to South West schools last week, following a very successful tour in July.

Dr Annela Seddon, a physics lecturer from Bristol University, visited a further 5 schools across the region to give students an insight into cutting-edge science on the smallest scale.

The tour started  in Devon at Colyton Grammar School and Okehampton College, then moved onto Cornwall and Launceston College and Penair School Truro, finishing up in the Isles of Scilly at The Five Islands School.  During the week around 1,300 pupils and teachers discovered more about nanoscience and the latest developments in nanotechnology. 

Manipulating small particles with the right sized tools - in the race to build the tallest Lego tower, hands win over chopsticks & oven gloves each time.

Although explaining scientific processes which are far to small to see with the naked eye, or even a microscope, can be challenging, the talk had lots of visual aids, videos and demonstrations.  Everyday items such as Lego, washing-up liquid, a pencil and some sellotape all helped to get the concepts across.

Feeling not seeing - demonstrating the Scanning Probe Microscope.

Recreating a Nobel Prize-winning experiment - making Graphene, live!

The students also discovered how nanotechnology is benefiting us all today, from making computers smaller, to the protective effects of nano-particles in sunscreens and the huge potential for nano-drugs to treat illnesses better. 

They saw how current research being carried out by Dr Seddon’s research group in the Bristol Centre for Functional Nanomaterials is bringing together aspects of physics, biology, chemistry and engineering to develop tiny nano-wires.  These may be able to bring us even more powerful mobile phones and minaturise electronic devices still further.  Many were surprised to learn how interdisciplinary real science is, once you get out of the classroom. 

Nano-scale self assembly in the washing-up bowl

As well gaining an insight into the research process, another valuable aspect to events like this is the opportunity for young people to meet real-life scientists and perhaps be inspired by their career path.  As one teacher commented afterwards “This was a great chance for our students to meet and hear from a researcher, we had a lot of positive feedback.”

In addition, over 100 parents, children and 6th form students attended the public talk at Okehampton College, where they learnt more about the history of nanoscience and the challenges of developing a new technology from scratch. 

Primary students at Five Islands School were also treated to a special talk by Annela & Alison about ‘How Big Is Science?‘.  The 80 Key Stage 2 pupils enthusiastically explored concepts of scale and states of matter with the help of lots of interactive demonstrations.

The Okehampton Times & Scilly Today both carried news of the tour.  Dr Seddon was interviewed on BBC Radio Devon, featuring on the afternoon show with Shep & Jo, and on Radio Scilly.

With visits to 10 Devon & Cornwall schools in all, plus a trip to Jersey & Guernsey, this talk has now been seen by over 3,500 students, teachers and members of the public. 

Words about Nanoscience (a word cloud made up of students' reponses to the talk)

The tour was organised by the IOP’s South West Regional Officer (Alison Rivett) and funded by the South West Branch of the IOP.  Many thanks to all the host schools and all the teachers and students who gave us such a warm welcome!