www.npl.co.uk
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About NPL
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
is the United Kingdom's national standards laboratory, an
internationally respected and independent centre of excellence in
research & development and knowledge transfer in measurement and
materials science. For more than a century we have developed and
maintained the nation's primary measurement standards - the aim being
to ensure accuracy, consistency and innovation in physical
measurement. NPL’s mission funded mainly by the Department of Trade &
Industry within the National Measurement System (NMS) is to provide
the UK with the infrastructure and measurement science vital to
innovation, productivity and the quality of life. |
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NPL & Education
NPL also take a considerable interest in supporting the
education of physics and public understanding of science under the General
Activities Programme, which is funded by the Department of Trade and
Industry (DTI).
We have recently joined the national Science & Engineering
Ambassadors scheme. NPL Ambassadors are now involved in a wide range of
activities including science demonstrations, clubs and competitions with
local schools and organisations. We hope that the scientists will
demystify the life of working scientist, provide positive role models and
inspire youngsters to pursue scientific fields such as physics.
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NPL
has 14 Science Ambassadors in different areas of research, such as
electrical, acoustic, temperature. Within a year NPL has reached over
1,160 pupils from primary, secondary and 6th Form. One of
the most popular demonstrations is on acoustics. This practical
demonstration included electronic synthesisers and an array of
acoustical instruments, and shows how the physical properties of
acoustics relate to music. Our various demonstrations on temperature,
light, electricity illustrates how physics makes up an important part
of our daily lives and is not something that just exists in textbooks.
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Below are some comments from teachers about the programme:
- “The children were
excited to see practical demonstrations with substance”.
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“Yes, [class was interested by the presentation] because they were
seeing things that they hadn’t seen before and that we can’t demo in
school.”
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“They inspired the children”.
WEBSITE
Encompassing our educational goals, NPL
has launched an educational website called the learning room.
The website is packed full of ideas, resources, events
and activities that can help support the education of physics, aimed
at science teachers and their students.
The
website includes the following: |
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Reading Room: This is the place to be to find out more about physics
and measurement through NPL's helpful literature & publications. It is
set up to assist pupils as well as teachers!
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Science & Engineering Ambassadors: This page explains the national
scheme, an exciting initiative bringing scientists & engineers together
with young people in a unique learning experience.
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Web
Experiments: This page consists exciting Web Experiments links
offering a range of activities within them that will take from about 30
seconds through to a couple of hours.
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Mainly for Teachers: This page was created as a resource for
teachers … brush up on metrology or find helpful worksheets for the
classroom.
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What's Happening: This page has the latest educational news stories
and NPL sponsored community events … read about NPL the Science &
Engineering Ambassador events, our National Science Week activities and
much, much more!
For more
information on NPL’s educational programmes please visit our educational
website called the learning room
at the following address:
www.npl.co.uk/thelearningroom
Other learning resources we produce include a physics
revision guide and classroom science posters on various science topics,
such as electricity, acoustics, and temperature to name a few.
EVENTS
We also regularly take part in science
festivals and also run our own educational events such as the annual Water
Rockets Competition. For more information please go to the following
address:
www.npl.co.uk/waterrockets
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Since 2001, local schools and businesses have been
invited to compete against the NPL Scientists. The idea of the
competition is to launch a rocket using water pressure, and see how
long that rocket can remain in the air for. Each rocket is fired from
the edge of a landing zone, towards its centre, which is approximately
200m x 200m. All rockets must fall within the landing zone, although
distance travelled does not count toward the final scores – so a
rocket may stay in the air for some time, but only travel a couple of
meters, and still win. |
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In 2003, a
total of 57 teams in two sessions – morning session open to schools and
second session open to youth groups & public - competed to see which team
could keep their water rockets in the air for the longest amount of time.
Schools, youth groups, and the general public competed, along with teams
from NPL, the RAF, Qinetiq, the Meteorological Office, and even
international teams, from France, Germany and the USA - including the
world record holder for water rocket altitude.
Most
importantly, since 2001 the event has raised much needed funds for the
Shooting Star Trust, which helps children who are not expected to live
beyond early adulthood. In particular, the Trust is raising funds to
build a Children’s Hospice in Hampton, Middlesex, to provide short-term
(respite) and longer-term care for terminally ill children. The Hospice
is due to open in Summer 2004. In 2003, the competition raised over
£1,200 towards the cause, bringing the event’s cumulative total to over
£2,500, and it is hoped that this will be beaten next year.
www.npl.co.uk
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