SPUR Project

2008 Winner (8 of 15)

Explaining Difficult Concepts in Science: Demonstrating Superconductivity in the School Laboratory
Supervisors: Professor Gren Ireson (Education – Science), Dr Karen Moss (CELS/Chemistry), Dr Robin Turner (Physics)

When a current is induced in a superconductor it will, due to zero resistivity, remain indefinitely. The aim of this project was to develop an experimental set up which would allow this phenomenon to be demonstrated in a school laboratory. The developed kit needed to be both low cost and to make use of only addition instrumentation found in a school laboratory used for teaching A-level physics. The student developed equipment demonstration methods, produced a teacher/technician guide for schools and produced an A0 poster outlining theory/practice of demonstration for display in various locations around NTU including CELS (Centre for Effective Learning in Science) and the Physics Department.

Project poster