The Ellesmere College Physics Department recently ran its third annual Year 8 Physics Competition producing an enthusiastic response from the year group, with each form putting forward its champions to the Grand Final.

Twelve entries made it to the final stages, where guest judges Louise Paton, Head of History and Ranjit Chatterjee, Head of Middle School and Head of Biology, joined by Year 13 students, quizzed them on their models.

A wide range of topics within Physics was evident, from Optics to Convection, Energy in a mousetrap-powered car, Standing waves, Circuits, Rockets, and from a wildly entertaining demonstration on Friction to a personal blast from the past with Thermoelectricity.

However, as in all competitions, there had to be winners. In third place, Andrew Bolton and Charlie Whitehead offered a model of energy changes within roller coaster rides, and in second place, Rebecca Neary and Catriona Jones recreated a wartime foxhole radio to show tuned circuits. The overall winner was James Schofield who demonstrated Newton�s Third Law using a fan-powered vehicle.

Dale Crawford, Physics Teacher and organiser of the competition commented, �Well done to all the Year 8 pupils who participated in the competition and congratulations to all winners, particularly to James who received a Physics book as his prize which  should allow him to come up with even more ideas for the future!�

Photos : Overall winner James Schofield with guest judges Ranjit Chatterjee, Head of Middle School and Head of Biology and Louise Paton, Head of History.
Second place, Rebecca Neary and Catriona Jones
Third place, Andrew Bolton and Charlie Whitehead

4th March 2010  Back to News