Lab In A Lorry Visits Christ College

Lab in a Lorry, a mobile science lab for young people, has spent two days at Christ College Brecon to help connect young people to science.

Designed to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers, Lab in a Lorry offers 11-14 year olds the opportunity to explore science through specially created interactive experiments.

With two lorries available as part of the scheme, each lorry is fitted with three distinct lab areas where groups of up to six young people can take part in each of the fun and informative experiments.The programme is delivered by volunteers – all scientists and engineers – and with at least one volunteer mentor to every six students, everyone gets to try their hand at experimental science and think about the surprises and questions that arise.

All of Christ College’s pupils in years 7, 8, 9 and 10 had the opportunity to visit the Lab in a Lorry on either the Tuesday or Wednesday. They saw three great experiments covering applications of fibre optics, a resonating wine glass and explaining why the sky is blue. The reaction of pupils was overwhelmingly positive both about the exciting demonstrations and the Lab in a Lorry itself.

The Lab in Lorry visit was timed to coincide with the Institute of Physics Conference held at Christ College on Wednesday. With just over a hundred visiting Physics teachers, students and members of the IoP using both the Hubert Jones Science Centre and Y Neuadd Goffa – The Memorial Hall as venues, Science was very much the order of the day.

The IoP held two main lectures, eight workshops, hosted exhibitors and equipment displays. Christ College M11 pupils were fortunate to be able to attend the lecture on “The Magic of Microwaves” by Professor Peter Barham and all those in the Sixth Form studying Physics were able to attend the lecture “Thunderbolts and Lightening” by Dr Rhys Phillips.

Schools can request a visit from Lab in a Lorry through the website www.labinalorry.org.uk which also contains information on how to become a volunteer.