Paperclip Physics
A team of students from Altrincham Girls Grammar School in Manchester won the grand final of the most challenging science competition Paperclip Physics on 16 March 2005.
The Manchester team won with a dramatic performance which made the process of star-birth easy to understand. They outlined how stars are born, what processes keep them alive and some of the problems with nuclear fusion and fission. In a staged sketch using hula hoops, giant ropes, specially designed hats and costumes, the team acted out the roles of Miss Gravity and Miss Strong Force who struggle against the forces of physics to bring together two charges in the process that keeps stars like our Sun alive.Paperclip Physics is a competition for teams of 15 to 17 year olds studying physics. It has been designed to test their ingenuity, understanding of a physics principle or application, ability to work in teams, and, most importantly, ability to communicate their understanding to others.
In a maximum of five minutes, each team was asked to make a presentation to a panel of three judges explaining the principle or application of their choice. The three judges included a non-scientist, a physics teacher and a physicist working outside of school education. The teams can use posters and demonstrations if they wish but only items that are found in the home are allowed for the construction of the demonstrations.
Paperclip Physics is an ongoing project organised by the Institute of Physics and involves students from the whole of the UK. You can find out details of next year's event here.
