OCR Brings in Naked Scientist for Crisp Packet Fireworks Submitted By: 2Thefore Thursday, 23 December 2010

OCR brings in Naked Scientist for Crisp Packet Fireworks Submitted by: 2thefore Thursday, 23 December 2010

Ever wondered how to make fireworks from a crisp packet, turn rice into quicksand or generate a cloud in a lemonade bottle? Join leading awarding body OCR and the Naked Scientist on 6 and 7 January 2011 who together will be bringing science to life at the Association for Science Education’s (ASE) Annual Conference at the University of Reading. As part of OCR’s programme of events at ASE, Naked Scientist Dr Chris Smith of Cambridge University – author and star of TV and radio – will be conducting a series of experiments, several of which are taken from Dr Smith’s book, Crisp Packet Fireworks, that teachers can take back to inspire pupils in the classroom. OCR’s John Noel said: “If you’re a teacher and looking for inspirational ideas, then do come along to the OCR stand and see how Naked Scientists make science fun for everyone. It won’t be long before you’re electrocuting vegetables and turning air into liquid!” Crisp Packet Fireworks contains more than 40 experiments which can be performed in the classroom or tried at home. Dr Smith’s approach fits in well with OCR’s theme of Science Unleashed which aims to support teachers who want to bring science to life. As well as Dr Smith’s experiments, there will be workshops about specific OCR Science qualifications and plenty of OCR expertise on hand at ASE to answer questions about the latest developments. OCR offers a wide range of science qualifications at Key Stage 4 (KS4), including Twenty First Century Science, Gateway Science and OCR Nationals in Science, to meet the differing needs of teachers and learners. Taking Twenty First Century Science qualifications, students get to learn about the science that underpins day to day life. Gateway Science is about science in action and understanding the questions that science can potentially answer. Students get to unpick scientific concepts and investigate familiar applications through active learning. OCR Nationals in Science are hands-on, providing independent learning with a greater emphasis on practical work. Further information about ASE’s conference which takes place from 5 to 8 January 2011 at the University of Reading can be found at www.ase.org.uk -ends- Notes to editors 1. Press Contact

Page 1 Glen Goldsmith, OCR Press office, Tel: 07812 766338, email: [email protected] 2. About OCR – www.ocr.org.uk OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA) is a leading UK awarding body, providing a wide range of qualifications to meet the needs of learners of all ages and abilities. OCR qualifications include AS/A Levels, GCSEs, OCR Nationals, Key Skills, Entry Level qualifications, NVQs and vocational qualifications in areas such as IT, business, languages, teaching/training, administration and secretarial skills. Each year more than three million students gain OCR qualifications, which are offered by 13,000 centres including schools, sixth form colleges, FE colleges, training providers, voluntary organisations, local authorities, and businesses ranging from SMEs to multi-national organisations. 3. About the Naked Scientists – www.thenakedscientists.com The Naked Scientists are a group of physicians and researchers from Cambridge University who use radio, live lectures, and the Internet to strip science down to its bare essentials, and promote it to the general public. Their award-winning BBC weekly radio programme, The Naked Scientists, reaches a potential audience of 6 million listeners across the east of England, and also has an international following on the web. Each week, listeners of all ages and backgrounds tune in on a Sunday evening to hear creator Dr. Chris Smith, together with his entertaining sidekicks, interview renowned scientists and researchers from all over the world and take science questions on any subject live from the listening public. According to Dr. Smith, the basic goal of the Naked Scientists "is to help people enjoy science as much as we do and, at the same time, to have fun."

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