On Thursday 7th and Friday 8th October, the Sci-fun group were showing their presentations and hands-on activities to S1 and S2 pupils at the High School. This involved an eye opening talk about how science plays a crucial role in sport, from how muscles work to why we have reaction times. These presentations were very interactive, and volunteers from the audience willingly helped out with the practical demonstrations.

Presenting, are three students working on their further education. Lindsey, Karine, and Rachel are studying all ranges of science from a BSc in Biology and Science Communication, a PhD in engineering and plant genetics to a Maths Degree; they uphold very high standards and have a wealth and breadth of knowledge, which they share with the pupils.

‘We always say to them that we have two aims’, commented Lindsey, ‘One: to have fun, and two: to teach them some science. They sometimes groan at the latter, but when we ask them at the end if they’ve learned anything, they mostly have and have enjoyed it as well.’

Sci-fun visits around 100 schools each year, giving two presentations themed around sport. The first focuses on chemistry and biology, and the second concentrates more on physics and biomechanics. In between these, pupils are allowed to traverse around the different hands-on activities that range from a voice detector to various tricks of light and mind puzzles. There was even a heart rate monitor which could tell how alive you are to a fairly accurate degree.

A first year pupil said ‘I think that Sci-fun should come to school more often, because it is an exciting experience for people of all ages,’ and added: ‘I’m more interested in science now because sometimes it seems quite boring, but this shows that there is more exciting things about it. It’s the best science lesson that I’ve ever had!’

One of the favourite activities was the giant bubble maker. Everyone had fun swallowing each other with the huge ring and tyre that created some awesome globes of colour and light. Just like their last visit several years earlier, this year’s Sci-fun has been both enlightening and exciting for all who took part. To find out more, visit www.ph.ed.ac.uk/scifun/