08 Dec 2017

  • National Grid treats Bedworth school children to electrifying lesson
  • Pupils enjoy hair-raising experiments with electricity during school science show
  • National Grid working locally on £15m project to upgrade power lines

A visit from National Grid left youngsters at Goodyers End Primary School in Bedworth buzzing. More than 160 students were given a hair-raising insight into electricity through a hands-on education session powered by National Grid and education provider, Mad Science.

National Grid has been refurbishing a 20km stretch of overhead power line between Hams Hall near Coleshill and Bedworth and organised the session to teach the children about some interesting aspects of the science behind electricity. Pupils also learned about National Grid's role in supplying the local area's energy, both today and historically.

Mad Science ran workshops for the whole school, exploring the subject of electricity through a range of exciting interactive demonstrations which ranged from human circuits to plasma lamps. They learned about static electricity using a metal ball to show how static could make hair stand on end. They also had the chance to use a Van de Graaf generator to create the electrostatic energy and learnt about chemical luminescence.

National Grid project engineer, Ben McKenzie-Williams, said: 'We'd like to thank the pupils and staff at Goodyers End Primary School for their warm welcome. Sharing the knowledge and experience we have at National Grid with the community is important to us. Using our education sessions to enhance the curriculum for young people in science and technology benefits their learning and inspires future engineers. We really enjoyed delivering the session with Mad Science and showing the children, the important role electricity plays in the region's everyday life.'

Mrs Rees, head teacher at Goodyers End Primary School, said: 'It was great to have National Grid and Mad Science visit. The pupils loved learning about how electricity has shaped their lives today and asking the engineers about the work they're doing. Our thanks go out to them for organising such an innovative and informative session.'

The first phase of the overhead line refurbishment project is due to finish this winter, and the second phase will start in 2019. More information is available at http://www2.nationalgrid.com/UK/In-your-area/Projects/Coleshill-Bedworth/

National Grid plc published this content on 08 December 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
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Original documenthttp://media.nationalgrid.com/press-releases/uk-press-releases/waleswest/west-mids-chool-children-get-electrifying-lesson/

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