Press Releases

Under pressure at the Summer Science Lecture – University of Reading

Release Date : 14 June 2004

Students from 12 schools in Berkshire will enjoy participating in one of three exciting 60-minute lectures at the University, learning how scientists use pressure to help our lives. Some 720 students, 240 at each performance are attending the talks. Key stage 3 pupils (years 7-9) will represent schools from Slough, Reading, Wokingham, West Berkshire and Maidenhead. These audience participatory lectures, given by Mrs Averil Macdonald of the University's Department of Physics, show the unlikely link between objects such as exploding aerosol cans and razors, fizzy drinks and saline drips. Students will discover, through a variety of amazing pressure experiments, how to get a hard boiled egg into a milk bottle, how to create their own mini explosion using a film canister and how to crush a can using cold water. Mohammed Ansar, from the University's Widening Participation Office and the event organiser, says: "We are amazed by the response we have had from schools. Using items such as Airzookas, Magdeburgh Hemispheres, space rockets and jumping smiley faces, students will see how pressure is used everyday to make our lives easier and in some cases more fun. "This will be an exciting lecture with lots of bangs and whistles. Most importantly, the students will get the opportunity to get onto the stage and participate themselves." End Reporters and photographers are welcome to attend the lecture: WHEN: 15th June 11.00am and 1.00 pm 16th June 10.00am WHERE: Madjeski Theatre, Whiteknights Campus, The University of Reading For more information, please contact: Mohammed Ansar Widening Participation Co-ordinator for Science The University of Reading 0118 378 6127 E-mail: m.ansar@reading.ac.uk