CHaOS visits Portsmouth with Trinity College

From the 9-11 July, CHaOS ran three days of science events for Portsmouth schools, kindly hosted by Admiral Lord Nelson School and Hayling College.

CHaOS – or ‘Cambridge Hands-On Science’ – is a voluntary organisation led by students from the University of Cambridge, which provides public science events and sessions for schools as part of their Summer Roadshow.

Alex Davies, the current CHaOS President says, “CHaOS is all about breaking down the barriers that prevent children and families seeing that science is fun, relevant and something they can understand."

The Cambridge student volunteers, including three from Trinity, brought a variety of science activities to Portsmouth pupils in years 6, 7 and 8. Hands-on experiments ranged from getting messy with cornflour to discovering the physics of light and sound.

Trinity College contributed towards the cost of the events, so that Portsmouth students could experience the CHaOS Roadshow free of charge.

Stephen Labedz, Headteacher at ALNS, commented, “the feedback from our students, staff and partner schools has been glowing and I am sure we have managed to inspire some young scientists.”

Further praise for CHaOS was heard at Hayling College, with Martin Vugler, Head of Science, saying that CHaOS “gave pupils an insight into science beyond school and dispelled pre-conceived ideas of what scientists are like. The team were exceptionally talented in their areas and enthused every pupil they spoke to. It was a privilege to have them at the Hayling College.”

"Trinity College’s history of scientific excellence meant that we welcomed the chance to offer younger students in our link areas an opportunity to experience science beyond the school syllabus, as well as to meet Cambridge University students who are passionate about science," added Jess Munro, School Liaison Assistant at Trinity College.