Forensic science, nano-technology and sports engineering are just a few of the topics covered in the fascinating exhibits at the 21st annual Physics at Work event for 14 to 16-year-olds this autumn.

The hugely popular University of Cambridge exhibition, which this year takes place from 20 to 22 September, offers 2,000 school students the chance to see the practical applications of physics in the real world and the many ways it affects our lives.

'Physics at Work' brings together scientists from a wide range of industries and academic research teams. After short presentations about their work, they throw the floor open to students to ask questions and probe the areas that most interest them in more detail.

This year, the exhibitors include teams from both The Technology Partnership and Cambridge Consultants, young Cambridge companies that have designed and developed a variety of products that we can all now use on a daily basis.

A team from Stansted will be revealing the inner-workings of the airport transit system and there will be a team of University of Cambridge scientists who are researching the possibility of using semi-conductive polymers to make roll-up TV screens. There is also a presentation by the British Antarctic Survey on the hole in the ozone layer and the practicalities of life as a scientist in Antarctica.

Dr Paula Martin, educational outreach officer for the University of Cambridge Department of Physics, said: “Our aim is to encourage wider participation and interest in physics, and this event gives students the chance to see what the jobs that physicists do are really like. Physics at Work is an opportunity for them to meet real-life scientists and ask all the questions they’ve always wanted to. The students really get involved and thoroughly enjoy themselves.”

'Physics at Work 2005' is organised by the University of Cambridge Department of Physics and is supported by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Portfolio Partnership and the Institute of Physics.

To enable students and teachers to take the experience back to the classroom with them, the Department of Physics is producing a booklet to accompany the exhibition. It will be given to everyone who attends and will also be available online at the Physics at Work 2005 website in due course.

Schools can apply for places for their students by contacting Dr. Paula Martin (Tel: 01223 333318, e-mail: outreach@phy.cam.ac.uk).

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