These action-packed shows are designed for audiences of up to 120 students and they generally last 60 minutes (although this can be tweaked to suit your timetable).
The hidden world of forces
Forces surround us. Although we can use them to predict and explain how almost everything moves around us on Earth, we cannot see them and often, because they are balanced, we don’t even feel them.
This interactive show explores some of the most important ideas and misconceptions about forces in a non-threatening way through counter-intuitive revelations and dramatic demonstrations. Find out why astronauts appear to float in space; discover the enormous power of air pressure; pit your strength against friction; dare to travel on a hovercraft; and witness the explosive water-and-air-powered ejection seat.
The exact concepts discussed in the show and their treatment will depend on the nature of the audience, but they will include topics such as: effects of forces; balanced and unbalanced forces; free-falling; the normal force exert by a table on an object sitting on it; inertia; action and reaction forces; friction; air pressure; the stability of rotating objects.
An absolutely fantastic show! Everyone was engaged from the start. The show inspired both teachers and pupils alike!! Emma Collen, Hazelwood College Belfast
An engaging show, delivered brilliantly and thoroughly enjoyed by pupils and staff. Linked in well with KS3 curriculum. Would highly recommend the shows. Mrs C Murray, St Colmcille’s High School Crossgar
Chemical connections
Students often think of chemicals as some unusual substances scientists experiment with in laboratories. In fact, chemicals underpin and connect much of our everyday lives.
This spectacular show blends classic, high-impact chemistry demonstrations with the interesting connections that the principles underlying these demonstrations have to our lives.
What’s the connection between cornflour slime and quicksand? Why does tonic water glow in UV light? How can polymers seem to make water disappear and snow appear in front of your eyes? What happens when you light a Pringles can full of hydrogen gas?
Topics: density; solids; liquids and gases; physical changes; chemical reactions; acids and alkalis; fire triangle; polymers; catalysts; chemiluminescence.
The magic of science
Welcome to the mysterious world of the science magician where nothing is quite as it seems – where tins appear to defy gravity and roll uphill; metal rods sing; water seems to remain inside an upside-down glass; marshmallows expand; and borrowed £20 notes refuse to burn (hopefully).
This is magic with a difference – in this exciting show the audience will be encouraged to figure out the science behind the tricks. The show uses impressive demonstrations, humour and lots of interactive techniques to engage all of the audience.
Topics: inertia; friction; gravity and centre of mass; air pressure; sound production; volume; absorption; polymers; heat capacity; pressure; g-force and centripetal force.
A great show, capivated all the pupils including those most challenging to motivate in the classroom.
Janice Kirby, Ballyclare Secondary School