BUDDING young scientists in Widnes took part in a BBC Live Lesson broadcast live to thousands of schools nationwide Pupils helped to launch the second year of BBC’s ‘Terrific Scientific’ campaign.
The science initiative invites children to take part in investigations in the classroom and send their results to scientists in different universities who use the data to produce reports and academic studies.
Year 5 and 6 pupils from Widnes Academy in West Bank attended the exercise-themed Live Lesson exploring how physical activity affects memory, mood and behaviour.
An audience of 150 school children from across the north west learned how the human body responds to exercise, measured their lung capacity by blowing up balloons, compared pulses during different levels of physical activity and discovered which professional athletes train themselves to have a fast or a steady heartbeat.
The live lesson was presented by CBBC’s Fran Scott and Naomi Wilkinson with Dr Chris and Dr Xand Van Tulleken from CBBC’s ‘Operation Ouch’ appearing as guest presenters.
Widnes Academy is one of thousands of schools carrying out mass-participation science investigations using Terrific Scientific’s free resources.
Results are uploaded to an interactive map which allows pupils to compare their data with that of other individual schools and whole regions across the country.
Last year pupils discovered why some people don’t like to eat their greens, and how the clocks changing can affect sleep patterns.
Johannah Dyer, executive producer in BBC Learning, said: “We’re really excited to enter phase two of Terrific Scientific, with five more mass-participation investigations for the new school year.
“The campaign aims to help pupils understand how science is relevant to their world and inspire budding young scientists, so the Live Lesson is a great opportunity for pupils to see the investigations come to life.”
Dr Xand van Tulleken said: “As Terrific Scientific ambassadors we want all children to love science as much as we do.
“Chris and I acted as guinea pigs for the exercise investigation and I got to run up 32 flights of stairs working up a sweat while Chris just had to lounge around.”
Dr Chris van Tulleken said: “It was all in the name of science!”
To register for Terrific Scientific visit bbc.co.uk/terrificscientific
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