Physics Busking on Grafton Street
Eilish McLoughlin, Dublin City University
07 June 2007
Kevin Murphy demonstrates pressure using two syringes and tubing
On Saturday 26 May a group of enthusiastic second level science teachers and pre-service science teachers set up stall on the bustling shopping destination of Grafton Street in Dublin, armed with exciting and interactive demonstrations for showing physics to the passing public. This team of innovative science teachers had already represented Ireland at European Science on Stage 1 and 2 Festivals, and included Eilish McLoughlin, Paul Nugent, Vida Given, Alison Graham, Rachel Linney, Audrey Byrne, Kevin Murphy, Rory Geoghegan, Brian Masterson, and Michael Grehan. The team was completed by four new graduates from the BSc in Science Education in Dublin City University: Sinead Prior, Sarah Mulvey, Fiona Sharkey, and Jonathon Dunne.
Members of the public got to partake in demonstrations of Archimedes Law of Forces shown with a tug of war, Bernoulli’s Law for Fluid Flow with a giant windbag, Faraday's Law of Induction shown with a simple motor, a vortex blower, musical straws, windmills and rockets. The event was available freely to the passing public and was sponsored by the Institute of Physics Public Engagement Grant Scheme which aims to raise public awareness of physics by bringing physics to the people, inspire and enthuse people of all ages, and reach audiences beyond the classroom and workplace. Science on Stage demonstrations can be found at www.scienceonstage.ie.
Pictures from the day by Michael Grehan
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Alison Graham demonstrates the principle of rocket propulsion
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Paul Nugent AKA Albert Einstein with a vortex blower
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Kevin Murphy demonstrates pressure using two syringes and tubing
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Paul Nugent demonstrates the Doppler effect by spinning a buzzer