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DOZENS of schoolchildren were enthralled when IChemE’s North-West Branch, helped by the engineering company Atkins and volunteers from IChemE’s whynotchemeng campaign, visited Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry for some hands-on experience with science and engineering.

Activities included making the bounciest ball possible by experimenting with different quantities of borax, PVA glue and water; looking at the properties of cornflour (is it a liquid or a solid?); firing canisters out of a vacuum bazooka; making CO₂ rockets using Alka-seltzer; and using a fruit to generate enough electricity to power a clock. To top it all off, there was a fiery demonstration to show how much energy is stored in food.

The visiting children – mainly members of local youth organisations, along with a good number of schoolchildren – soon discovered that science and engineering are anything but boring. "I enjoyed it all. I learnt that there is energy in food that can make fire; I was surprised by how big the flame was" one 12-year old boy, commented.

Robin Holgate, head of interpretation and learning at the museum, added: "It is vital to have real working scientists engaging with the museum visitors. We are extremely grateful to have had IChemE here today, and you have personally interacted with a great number of visitors. We hope to have you again in the future for another Meet the Engineer event.”