Let’s face it, if most people were asked to spend 2 ½ days in their school holidays doing Physics we’d probably hear them laughing a mile away, but this is exactly what 4 of our pupils have just done. The students were chosen to attend the 2 ½ day residential at Rugby School after completing personal projects about something that has inspired them in Science. The competition for the places was fierce but eventually 4 were chosen: Lauren Cheetham, Jessica Riley Green, Emma Potter and Kerry Wilde. They were whisked away by Mrs Fidler in the Easter holidays for team challenges including dragster launches, one minute timers and parachute building. There were also individual challenges such as speed stacking, and an amazing opportunity to indoor skydive. Turns out Physics is actually pretty fun!
After the first day the pupils were amazed to see themselves 4th on the scoreboard, despite having won no challenges. The reason – each challenge was marked on four criteria: teamwork, creativity, knowledge and achievement showing the pupils that not everything is about winning, how you go about solving a problem is just as important.
Going into the final challenge, team presentations, the Burscough group had made it to 2nd place. All 12 schools had a different Physics principle to present with the Burscough girls doing this with their own style and finesse, dressed in matching ‘geek outfits’. The topic of ‘pressure’ was covered wonderfully and involved a giant drawing pin, marshmallows and an elephant complete with red stilettos... They will repeat this presentation soon in an assembly to help Year 9 with their revision.
Throughout the whole experience pupils were asked to fill in a journal about their experiences, including notes from two lectures. There were individual prizes awarded for these which caused big discussions in the judging panel over first place. In the end, a joint first prize was awarded – to 2 Burscough pupils! Kerry and Emma were commended on their presentation skills and note taking that was classed as “undergraduate level”. An amazing feat considering there were 48 journals submitted!
Then came the icing on the cake, 4th place was announced and Burscough Priory Science College was yet to be mentioned, this meant they were definitely getting a trophy – the girls were looking at each other in amazement. 3rd place, still no mention, 2nd place, not Burscough meaning, could it be true, they were first! I wish everyone could have seen the teams faces at the time, they were truly shocked, and very excited! I don’t think I have ever been on a more rewarding trip, especially after the round of applause for the teachers at the end with our girls once again doing this in their own style! I spent 3 days as the proudest teacher in the country- well done girls!
The aim of Extreme Physics is to encourage more pupils to continue studying Physics at post-16 and was only possible due to the generous sponsorship of The Ogden Trust and Institute of Physics. It is hoped that a similar event can be organised in the North West region next year and any potential sponsors or teachers who would like to be involved are asked to contact Maggie Fidler at Burscough Priory Science College by email mfidler@bpsc.co.uk
