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‘Top-secret’ experiment brings science to schools... on a lorry
A new spy-themed experiment, launched this week on board the educational roadshow ‘Lab in a Lorry’, has been developed by staff at The University of Nottingham’s School of Physics and Astronomy thanks to funding from East Midlands Development Agency (emda).
The Lab will be visiting Djanogly City Academy Nottingham at their Gregory Boulevard site from February 10 to 12 where the first pupils will be able to explore modern computing power and data access/storage within an exciting ‘secret agent’ exercise.
Pupils will be tasked with becoming secret agents, using the equipment to eavesdrop on an enemy and communicate secrets to other agents, using the latest technology.
Originally a joint initiative between the Institute of Physics and the Schlumberger Foundation, the East Midlands Lab is currently being funded via a grant from emda’s £9m Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme.
The Lab in a Lorry travels around the East Midlands, usually spending one week in each county per half term, with two or three days at each school. The 44ft lorry is working exclusively with pupils in the East Midlands for three years, offering 11 to 14 year olds the opportunity to explore science through specially created, hands-on experiments. With interactive displays, explanations as to why the sky is blue or demonstrations on the power of sound through a smashing glass, each young person can see, hear and feel why science is fun.
Diana Gilhespy, Executive Director of Regeneration at emda, said: “We’re really proud to support the ‘Lab in a Lorry’ project as it continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers across the region. This new experiment will no doubt grab the imagination of the students and encourage many more young people to take an interest in these subjects as the lab continues its tour.”
Chris Staddon, a Senior Experimental Officer in the University’s School of Physics and Astronomy said: “I have been volunteering for the Lab in a Lorry for several years now and it is really great that the opportunity arose for us to develop the new experiment which reflects the research going on in school on magnetic data storage. The timing was also perfect to launch the experiment at Djanogly City Academy.”
Chris is also working with colleagues at the University and Nottingham University Samworth Academy science staff to set up a Science and Engineering after school club with funding from Nottinghamshire Education Business Alliance (NEBA).
Dr Ben Wong, Science Teacher at Djanogly City Academy Nottingham said:
“This is an excellent opportunity for our students to gain hands on experience with interactive experiments and explore different aspects of science. Our Year 8 students are currently working on a physics project and this will be a great opportunity for them to enhance their learning. During the visit over 500 students from Year 7 & 8 will have the chance to visit the lorry.”
Further details about emda’s STEM programme are available at www.emstempartnership.org.uk. Go to the ‘What is STEM?’ page and click on the ‘emda STEM Programme’ link.
— Ends —
Notes to editors: The University of Nottingham is ranked in the UK's Top 10 and the World's Top 100 universities by the Shanghai Jiao Tong (SJTU) and Times Higher (THE) World University Rankings.
More than 90 per cent of research at The University of Nottingham is of international quality, according to RAE 2008, with almost 60 per cent of all research defined as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’. Research Fortnight analysis of RAE 2008 ranks the University 7th in the UK by research power. In 27 subject areas, the University features in the UK Top Ten, with 14 of those in the Top Five.
The University provides innovative and top quality teaching, undertakes world-changing research, and attracts talented staff and students from 150 nations. Described by The Times as Britain's ”only truly global university”, it has invested continuously in award-winning campuses in the United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. Twice since 2003 its research and teaching academics have won Nobel Prizes. The University has won the Queen's Award for Enterprise in both 2006 (International Trade) and 2007 (Innovation — School of Pharmacy), and was named ‘Entrepreneurial University of the Year’ at the Times Higher Education Awards 2008.
Nottingham was designated as a Science City in 2005 in recognition of its rich scientific heritage, industrial base and role as a leading research centre. Nottingham has since embarked on a wide range of business, property, knowledge transfer and educational initiatives
(www.science-city.co.uk) in order to build on its growing reputation as an international centre of scientific excellence. The University of Nottingham is a partner in Nottingham: the Science City.
About emda
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) is one of nine Regional Development Agencies in England, set up in 1999 to bring a regional focus to economic development.
Ten years on, independent evaluation shows emda has:
· Had a significant impact on the region's economy
· Generated economic benefits that substantially outweigh its overall costs
· Put back over £9 of economic output (or GVA) into the regional economy for every £1 it spends
· Produced more than £1 billion in economic benefits per year
· A wider impact on people, places and businesses in the East Midlands that cannot be captured by figures alone.
emda is committed to supporting the region through the current downturn and has put in place a range of measures to provide real help during these challenging times.
Over the long term, emda's aim is to deliver the 2006 Regional Economic Strategy (RES) by working in partnership with public, private and voluntary organisations. The RES highlights the themes of productivity, sustainability and equality and sets out key priorities until 2020 to ensure the vision for 'a flourishing region' can be achieved.
For more details visit www.emda.org.uk
More information is available from Chris Staddon, School of Physics and Astronomy on +44 (0)115 951 5181, chris.staddon@nottingham.ac.uk; Media Relations Manager Emma Rayner in the University’s Communications Office on +44 (0)115 951 5793, emma.rayner@nottingham.ac.uk; or Jenny Hutson/Dianne Allen, Gemini PR & Marketing on +44 (0)115 852 3850.
More University of Nottingham news: http://communications/nottingham.ac.uk/
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