Students explain science with Paperclip Physics
Posted on 2 March 1999
'Paperclip Physics' is a new competition run by the Institute of Physics for sixth form students. The challenge of the competition is for a team of between three to six students to explain a physics principle, using only equipment founding a typical home, to a non-scientist.
"The ingenuity that this challenge stimulates is always entertaining, visual and impressive!" says Dr Sarah Thompson of the University's Physics department.
The competition is organised regionally with winners going on to a final in London on 17 March during Science and Engineering and Technology week (SET99). On Wednesday 3 March eight schools from the region will battle for their place in the national final.
Each stage of the competition is judged by a panel of three: a non-scientist (who chairs the proceedings), a physicist and a physics teacher. The non-scientist judge at the National Final will be Gillian Cross, the author of The Demon Headmaster.
Notes to editors:
- Photographers and reporters are welcome to attend the competition. The judging will start at 2.00pm in the Physics department teaching laboratories.