Today, we had some cool dudes come in with awesome science equipment. We had Katy from Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre and Graham from University of Canterbury who hosted and explained this whole event. There were a lot of things on the table, including a leaf blower and cylinders of liquid nitrogen.
First, we got some packs that had 6 chops of pipe cleaners, 2 different sized rings, and a bead on a wire. Katy introduced us to The Arts Centre, and gave us a virtual tour on a video. Next, we learnt a bit more about the history of The Arts Centre, how it used to be a university, and how famous people of New Zealand went to the old university Canterbury College. Then, using the packs we got, we made a model of a carbon atom.
After the little craft, we moved on to the show of science experiments. The first demonstration was a ball and a leaf blower. Blowing a ball with holes made it higher than blowing a normal ball, but both balls could be tilted at an angle. The reason for this is because the leaf blower creates the Coanda Effect, so as the stream of air hits the curved surface of the ball, the air wraps around and clings to its shape.
Other experiments included liquid nitrogen and magnets. The year 6 and 7 kept getting picked to be a volunteer in demonstrating experiments, like pressing buttons and rolling magnetic balls. They were dangerous experiments too, like the magnet was a gun that can shoot and an aluminium ring, cooled with liquid nitrogen, flew out and almost freeze burned my classmates. Luckily, they dodged, avoiding what could have been worse.
Most other demonstrations went as planned. Objects flew, but was safely caught such as the steam engine. Some experiments required volunteers to help the demonstration like shaking the liquid nitrogen off a shrunken balloon. All the volunteers were either from year 6 or 7. I am a year 8, so I would have preferred to have a chance of demonstration, but unfortunately they never picked someone that wasn’t leaving soon.
Overall, I didn’t think this was the best show I’ve ever seen. I had seen this show in year 6, and they did the same experiments again. They also didn’t pick people like my class and I who are leaving very soon, so I didn’t think that was very fair. Back in year 6, they also didn’t pick much year 6 volunteers, but at least back then the show was new and interesting.
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What type of shows do you like?