Slime, fruit and lava lamps pose a challenge at Basingstoke school!

AWE science graduates used a very gloopy mix of materials for some fun experiments at Hatch Warren Junior School in Basingstoke in the Primary Science Challenge.

Pupils took part in three separate experiments – making magnetic slime, lava lamps and ‘electric fruit’ batteries. They also watched demonstrations of scientific principles such as gravity, magnetism and temperature, using more advanced techniques such as working with liquid nitrogen to make super-fast frozen ice lollies.

Divided into three groups, they had great fun with the slime, lava lamps and fruit batteries and a good and not too messy time was had by all. Hatch Warren’s science coordinator Andy Finklaire, said:

“These AWE wonder moments bring science to life. The pupils were excited and engaged which is how science should be in schools, it’s great for students to experience the practicality of science”.

Graduate scientist Dom, one of the AWE presenting team, added: “All the pupils have been so enthusiastic and engaged. It has been fantastic getting involved with this practical science outreach in schools, which is part of AWE’s graduate development programme. It is so important that youngsters learn early on that science is fun and exciting and offers such a range of great opportunities.”

Sapphire aged 10, wants to be a science teacher when she grows up. She said: “It has been lots of fun today making energy from fruit and seeing how may volts it take to make an LED bulb light up”, while Finlay, also aged 10, preferred the slime: “I always enjoy science but it has been great doing real experiments – it was interesting to prove iron is magnetic making the magnetic slime!”.