Science Workshops
Each workshop is about 50 min + Q&A
These workshops can be run one-to-one or with groups both online and in person. I can do most of the workshops for 9 years and above.
Note: primary = P
Secondary = S
Sixth Form and Uni = 6F
jphcreativescience@gmail.com
C60, Buckyball
(P, S, 6F)
This is the story of the 60 carbon atom Nobel prize winning football shaped molecule that has led to a revolution in carbon nanotechnology.
The discovery takes us from the immense worlds of astronomy to the tiny worlds of atoms, we will make our own molecular model of C60 during the workshop.
Note: C60 kits will need to be posted out to you to arrive before the workshop.
The Platonic Solids and Eular's Law
(P, S, 6F)
Over 2200 years ago the Greeks wrote about five shapes called Platonic solids. We will explore the patterns, symmetry and structure of these unique shapes.
Includes downloading paper nets to make up before or after the workshop as well as a icosahedral map of the world.
Hot Air balloon (P, S)
You don't need specialised gas burners or a huge silk balloon to take off up into the air.
We will explore the mathematics, physics and engineering required to make your very own solar powered hot air balloon from cheap and easily available parts.
Electricity (P, S)
What is electricity, how can we make it and how can we harness natural forces to power a generator?
We explore all these and also show the Pelton water wheel Jonathan made in the Colorado series of the BBC Rough Science TV series.
Castaway Science
(S, 6F)
Ship-wrecked or cast-away on a deserted Island could you use science to find out where on the Earth you were?
We will explore the science behind Time, latitude and longitude.
Rough Science (P, S)
The BBC filmed six series of Rough Science that have been shown in over 90 countries !
We will send you a link, you watch the programmes and then you ask Jonathan any questions you like :-)
Radio (P, S, 6F)
Radio has provided world-wide communication and even facilitated space exploration, TVs, mobile phones, Wi -Fi, blue tooth, walkie-talkies and countless other applications.
We will go through the basics of radio wave transmission and reception with experiments and take you right up to date by sending you a live message through a Geostationary satellite!
Mentoring (P, S, 6F)
Jonathan regularly mentors children and adults.
He runs bespoke workshops as well as teaching them science and helping with school science.
Please contact him for more details.
Scientist view of the Universe (S, 6F)
This is a short tour of how we know what we know about our universe - including stars, planets, galaxies, atoms, molecules, waves and light.
The Earth's Atmosphere (P, S)
The thin layer of air around our planet - our atmosphere - is crucial for life.
We will explore how our atmosphere creates all sorts of optical phenomina you can see while you are out and about
as well as describe how you can make your own sensitive homemade water barometer to measure pressure changes with weather and altitude.
Geodesic Dome (P, S)
Richard Buckminster Fuller was the world famous inventor of the Geodesic Dome.
We will explore the maths and engineering of these fascinating and useful structures including making your own small paper Geodesic dome.
Lighthouses & the Fresnel lens (S)
Even today in our GPS-computer driven world, lighthouses still save thousands of lives a year.
The key to the light house is the wonderful Fresnal lens that beams out the light for miles and miles.
The workshops describes the Fresnel lens including video clips from Jonathan's visit to the Gatterville lighthouse for the BBC COAST TV series.
The Science of Balance (P, S)
If you are a dancer, juggler, builder, scientist or engineer you need to understand balance.
This workshop explores the science of 'moments' which is at the heart of balance,
including experiments you can do using Lego (you will need some basic Lego with you).
Parabolic Solar heater (S, 6F)
We explore the science and mathematics of a shape called a parabola that will enable us to design our own solar heater, providing free energy from the Sun.
We will also show clips from the BBC Rough Science TV series where Jonathan built a parabolic solar furnace on location in the Caribbean.
Spectroscopy of C60 and the Fullerenes
(S, 6F)
C60 and the Fullerenes have a wonderful set of spectroscopic features. Here we explore the mass spec, IR, UV and NMR signatures of C60 and C70 revealing the rich symmetry of these fascinating structures.
Mentoring (P, S, 6F)
Jonathan regularly mentors children and adults.
He runs bespoke workshops as well as teaching them science and helping with school science.
Please contact him for more details.
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