Science Roadshow on it’s way!

For Immediate Release
July 2007

“Science Roadshow on it’s way!”

The ever-popular Science Roadshow is once again returning to Auckland. The Roadshow is being hosted by various Intermediate and Secondary Schools throughout the city between the 23rd July & 23rd August. Several thousand local school students are expected to experience the hands on science fun.

The Science Roadshow features two live demonstration shows each year and more than 60 hands on exhibits with which to explore a range of science themes. This year’s shows demonstrate the exciting science of “Balloons & Bernoulli” and “Spectacular Changes”. The interactive exhibit themes include; illusions and puzzles, communication, motion, materials, electricity, and in association with Anchor Milk a range of exhibits on human performance.

The “Balloons & Bernoulli” Show examines air pressure through some interesting demonstrations. Also how a fast moving fluid like air can cause some very peculiar physical effects. How planes fly; why the curtain blows in to you in the shower; and what happens to a balloon in a vacuum are just some of the questions answered during this interactive presentation.

“Spectacular Changes” acts as the annually chemical demonstration and examines how changes can be either physical like melting, freezing, and boiling, or chemical, such as a reaction or combustion. Vivid colour changes, strange liquid solids, and a fiery finish combine to make a truly stunning presentation.

In between the two demonstrations the students have a chance to freely explore the interactive exhibits. A major section within the 2007 exhibits is the Anchor Human Performance theme. Students have the chance to test their strength arm wrestling a machine, see how fast they can throw a tennis ball, and measure exactly what their body is made up of with Anchor’s Body Composition Detector – generously on loan to the Science Roadshow for 2007. Other exhibits include arching sparks with Jacobs Ladder, a Chaotic Pendulum, and Gyroscopic Briefcase to name but a few. Science Roadshow Manager, Luke Benton, says he is excited once again to see a great collection of fun, interactive and educational exhibits travelling the country. Mr Benton is also particularly fond of performing this years shows in front of large audiences of enthusiastic students.

An annual event since 1990, the Science Roadshow last year saw more than 50,000 students from close to 700 schools nationwide! This years tour began in February and is set to once again visit almost one hundred venues throughout New Zealand. The Science Roadshow recently opened to the public at Wellington’s CapitalE with approximately 4000 visitors during the eight day venue. Thousands more are also expected at MOTAT during the September School holiday period in late September and early October.

“We aim to provide young people with an interactive science and technology learning experience, without the constraints of their normal classroom environment,” says Roadshow Director Ian Kennedy. “Visitors to the Science Roadshow are directly and actively engaged with the learning medium, and this hands-on fun is a great way for students to learn about science”.

For more information on the Science-Technology Roadshow and other Roadshow Programs check the website www.roadshow.org or contact the Science Roadshow Team on 0274 332788.

ENDS

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