Science at the Urdd: Physics Buskers and new science competitions at the National Eisteddfod in Cardiff

Institute of Physics News

4 June 2009

Physics busking

Students from Cardiff’s local schools were showcasing their knowledge of science by physics busking at the Urdd National Eisteddfod site at Cardiff Bay last week. 

The Urdd has been working with Science Made Simple and the Institute of Physics (IOP) to turn local school kids into physics buskers by teaching them a variety of hand-held demonstrations all illustrating different areas of physics utilising things that can be found at home.

Brand new science and environmental competitions have also been launched in anticipation of the Urdd National Eisteddfod at Ceredigion next year. The local science committee at Ceredigion was keen to introduce new science and environmental competitions so youngsters are given the opportunity to not only investigate new ideas in the campaign to reduce global warming, but participate in the Urdd in new and novel ways. 

Examples of some of the competitions available include youngsters designing and building their very own windmill to produce electricity and budding filmmakers creating mini movies that explain a principle of physics in an entertaining way to non-scientists. At the mini movie competition, the winners will have the opportunity to represent Wales at the National SciCast Physics award.

Angharad Thomas, National Officer of the IOP in Wales and vice-chair of the Urdd Eisteddfod Ceredigion 2010 Science Committee, said “It was great to see the amazed faces of the people who thought they would have a quiet lunch in the Wales Millennium centre last week when they were shown physics tricks. Last week was the start of a busy year where we hope the youth of Wales will compete against each other in new science and engineering competitions”.

Details of the new competitions are available from the Urdd’s website.

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