Matt,
I can think of one ludicrously safe idea which may seem a bit childish (it
is aimed at children) but it might also be a good eye opener. It simply
calls upon small teams to use the extent of their scientific understanding
to construct a paper aeroplane that will stay in the air for the longest
period - I believe the record is about 18 seconds. With young people it
gets them to working together, but with knowledgable scientists it might be
hilarious watching them attempting to apply the knowledge to a practical
task, and very possibly failing!
Its fun for anyone to make and chuck paper aeroplanes around the place, so
it will certainly be enjoyable. It might demonstrate that the application
of knowledge is not necessarily straight forward, and the only safety risk
is trip hazards and papr cuts!
Aaron
>From: Matt Bagley <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: "psci-com: on public engagement with science"
><[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Quick experiment/ demo
>Date: Mon, 17 Sep 2007 14:02:24 +0100
>
>Thanks, all of those are ace! Sadly, were fighting against an anti-fun,
>anti-anything, anti-everything health and safety officer so I wont be able
>to do many of them, but Im thinking I might sell tickets to an after-show
>party in the car park afterwards as its probably more profitable than the
>contract were bidding for anyway.
>
>Many thanks all, you've been a great help. Im just off to pre-singe my
>eyebrows in an act of pre-emptive spite to upset the H&S stormtrooper.
>That'll learn him.
>
>Best wishes and thanks again all,
>Matt.
>
>MATT BAGLEY BEng(Hons), MA
>Tall Person That's Really Good at Inspiring People to Become Cool Things
>(Even if They Don't Want To Become Cool Things).
>CAMOUFLAGED LEARNING | EDUCATION THROUGH ACTION
>WWW.CAMOUFLAGED-LEARNING.COM
>phone - 01493 393980| mobile - 077601 78040
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Jenny Shipway" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 10:36 AM
>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Quick experiment/ demo
>
>
>Matt,
>
>If Alka-Seltzer is too messy, you can do the same with a small piece
>of dried ice in each canister. No mess at all (but watch the bits,
>which might flick out as the canisters pop).
>
>Hydrogen balloons are tidy too (except when they slightly melt and
>start burning on the floor.. but that only happened once!). The
>pressure wave from the explosion gives a really good sensory
>immediacy. Have at least 2m clearance zone.
>
>Blow bubbles with methane and set light to them. Or is that too messy?
>
>Fun fun fun...
>
>Jenny
>
>
>
>
>On 9/17/07, Matt Bagley <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>>
>>
>>Hi Laura/ All,
>>
>>well, if it helps I recently did alka-seltzer and film canisters
>>synchronized to music as a silly little sign off, which they liked but
>>thought was 'too messy'. So what we need is something fun, quick,
>>brilliantly impressive but without any mess. But still fun, obviously. For
>>an audience that wants to be entertained, but only within limits. Tough
>>call, huh?
>>
>>Id really appreciate any thoughts you have folks, Im really struggling to
>>come up with something that's spectacular yet restrained.
>>
>>best wishes,
>>Matt.
>>
>>Ps in response to Aaron's questions, the audience will be scientifically
>>knowledgeable, and there will be about 30-40 of them. The activity itself
>>really need only be impressive as hopefully the few minutes of explanation
>>that preceded it should be enough information. Its just a fun closer
>>really.
>>As for resources, Im confident we can get most things in time, though
>>plutonium may be a bit more of a stretch.
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>
>>From: Laura Miles
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>
>>Sent: Monday, September 17, 2007 9:50 AM
>>Subject: Re: [PSCI-COM] Quick experiment/ demo
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Hi Matt –
>>
>>
>>
>>I didn't reply to this because I wasn't sure what sort of things you were
>>after. Can you post some examples onto the list?
>>
>>
>>
>>Best wishes, Laura
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>>
>>
>>From: psci-com: on public engagement with science
>>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Matt Bagley
>>Sent: 15 September 2007 17:28
>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>Subject: [PSCI-COM] Quick experiment/ demo
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>No thoughts on this at all folks? Id be really grateful for anything you
>>could suggest.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Best wishes,
>>
>>
>>Matt B.
>>
>>
>>
>>----- Original Message -----
>>
>>
>>From: [log in to unmask]
>>
>>
>>To: psci-com: on public engagement with science
>>
>>
>>Sent: Friday, September 14, 2007 9:19 AM
>>
>>
>>Subject: Quick
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Hi All,
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Im in need of a quick, fun, hugely impressive and contract- winning
>>experiment for a meeting with a large group of adults, most of whom have
>>seen all my best crowd pleasers before. Its only a ten minute slot I have,
>>so Ill probably only have 2 or 3 minutes to do something, but ideally Id
>>like it to be something we could all do together. Anyone have any ideas
>>for
>>stuff that would set their world on fire without setting their world on
>>fire?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>Best Wishes, Fellow Folks Who Aren't Able To Go To York,
>>
>>
>>Matt.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>MATT BAGLEY BEng(Hons), MA
>>Tall Person That's Really Good at Inspiring People to Become Cool Things
>>(Even if They Don't Want To Become Cool Things).
>>
>>CAMOUFLAGED LEARNING | EDUCATION THROUGH ACTION
>>WWW.CAMOUFLAGED-LEARNING.COM
>>
>>phone - 01493 393980| mobile - 077601 78040
>>
>>
>>
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