As part of National Science Week, FLEET’s Education & Training Coordinator visited a local kindergarten and primary school to perform a FLEET Geeks Physics Show. Dr. Dianne Ruka wowed the students, demonstrating a variety of physics concepts, including motion, forces, angular momentum and static electricity. Many of these demonstrations were performed as ‘magic tricks’, though Dianne explained that magic is just science that you don’t know how to explain… yet. Prior to her visit at the primary school, students were asked to describe what they thought a scientist did. They were also asked to draw a picture of a scientist. There were many Einstein-like images and claims that scientists worked with potions. It was great to challenge the students with the idea that a scientist can be anyone, including a woman, or even themselves, questioning and observing the world around them.
