CURRICULUM & ACTIVITIES
variety of materials to jump the greatest distance.
Another excellent display in the Fermi quiz meant they were
very close at the end, and narrowly pipped to 4th place out of
the 29 schools. The team also correctly estimated the bonus
prize of the number of smarties in the jar as 396, all of which
were eaten in the minibus home!
Some comments from the school team:
PHYSICS OLYMPICS
Four Second Year Physicists competed against more than 100
pupils from across the north of England in a Physics Olympics
designed to test their talent and teamwork skills.
Louisa Chacksfield, Pippa Byron, Tom McDowell and Aleck
Brown were selected to represent Pocklington School on the
basis of their excellent science scores throughout the year.
They travelled to St Peter’s School in York, along with pupils
from 28 other state and independent schools, for a day of
puzzles and thought-provoking tasks testing scientific skills
including accuracy of measurement, estimations, investigation
ability and teamwork. The day consisted of five events testing
a range of scientific skills including accuracy of measurement,
estimations, investigation skills and teamworking.
After a slow start in the first event the team rallied to eventually
win the final task which involved designing a car out of a
variety of materials to jump the greatest distance.
Challenges included designing a crumple zone for a car and
constructing a tower to support as much weight as possible.
Pupils also took part in the Fermi quiz which poses estimation
questions like: ‘How many blades of grass are there on a cricket pitch?’
Pocklington School Physics teacher Phil Anstee said: “This was
the 13th annual Physics Olympics and every year the events really
challenge some of our gifted and talented students. The activities are
time restricted and our team worked well together, delegated tasks and
obtained results in every challenge. These are the kind of skills that all
future employers are looking for in young people.”
The team made a slow start but got into their stride in time to
win the final challenge, which involved designing a car out of a
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THE POCKLINGTONIAN
“It was fun and challenging, I really enjoyed it.” Louisa
Chacksfield
“We worked well as a team. You needed to get a good measurement in
early during the task then build on it. We were improving all the time.”
Pippa Byron
“At first we didn’t work very well as a team but we got better each
round. Firing the car off the ramp was my favourite challenge.” Tom
McDowell
“We figured out pretty quickly that the heavier the car was, the more
speed it would have and the further it would go. We really enjoyed
building it and winning.” Aleck Brown
“A fantastic performance from some very able and enthusiastic young
scientists.” Mr Anstee