Tuesday 17 November 2020 Television scientist and presenter Marty Jopson broadcast his Zap science show from The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) via Zoom to over 2000 primary pupils across Yorkshire. The youngsters tuned in live to join in the fun from their classrooms in primary schools in Leeds, Otley, Ilkley, Bradford, Keighley, Ripon and Harrogate. During the interactive show, which is part of this year’s Otley Science Festival, sponsored by GSAL, children in Years 4, 5 and 6, learned about the history of electricity. They discovered the difference between currents and amps and watched in awe when Marty’s hair stood on end when he touched his giant home-made Van De Graaff machine. The loud finale involved electric sparks emanating from a Tesla machine to the tune of some familiar pop music. Pupils and their teachers then had an opportunity to ask Marty questions. A bubble of Year 5 pupils from GSAL were Marty’s ‘studio audience’ oohing and aahing in all the right places. Helen Clapham, Director of External Relations at GSAL said: “This is just one example where doing things differently during the pandemic has had a positive impact with many more children in our community being able to access to engaging educational content and shows like this.” Visit https://otleysciencefestival.co.uk/ for further information and teachers are welcome to email enquiries@gsal.org.uk if they would like to attend GSAL’s events for schools in the future. Pictured with Marty Jopson are GSAL pupils in the 5C bubble. General Primary Senior School News Whole School
