On Monday 23^rd January Mr Downs, from the Electricity Outreach Programme at Rugeley Power Station, came to school and held workshops for all the pupils in Year 5.  The sessions were organised for the three classes as part of the science curriculum work on electricity.  The children were given a Jitterbug Kit and a special lesson in how to turn the various parts of their kit into a working model bug which moved by vibrating on the tabletop.  The kit contained a plate for the bug’s body, legs, a counterbalance wheel, a choice of colourful stickers to personalise the bug, a motor, a battery, wires and insulating tube.  The children were given step-by-step instructions in how to assemble their bug, creating an electrical circuit with wires, battery and motor, resulting in a classroom full of brightly-coloured models jittering and vibrating at the same time.  The bugs were able to move because of the counterbalance wheel attached to the motor which caused its movement to be irregular.

When asked how they had enjoyed the experience Dolphins used terms such as “Brilliant!” “Fun”, “Amazing!”, “Cool” and “Excellent”.  AW said, “We got to make things.  I would like to do it again.”  PM said, “When we’d finished, I liked how the bugs moved when they were switched on.  I didn’t expect that.”  A great time was had by all!