A Level students at Ockbrook School have helped transform the learning resources at Woolsthorpe Manor following an exclusive invite from the National Trust.
Woolsthorpe Manor is where Sir Isaac Newton did some of the most revolutionary mathematics and physics of his age. The National Trust Property tells the story of Newton’s time at Woolsthorpe, with an abundance of hands-on interactive science fun. Now, thanks to students at Ockbrook School, new learning resources will soon be available alongside the current displays and activities in the Science Centre.
Victoria Heppinstall, 17, said: “The objective of the day was to become familiar with the activities currently available at the Manor and then produce learning resources that could be used by future A Level visitors, with experiments based on Circular Motion, Oscillations, Galileo’s Bells experiment and Galileo’s Leaning Tower of Pisa experiment. A volunteer at the National Trust will visit our school in a few weeks and help us to complete our resources so that they’re fit for purpose.”
Neal Gupta is Head of Physics at Ockbrook School: “Sir Isaac Newton’s work covers a significant part of the A Level syllabus, so it was a delight to receive an invitation to Woolsthorpe Manor. During the visit, as well as producing learning resources, we were given a tour of the Manor and saw the famous apple tree that led to Newton developing his Law of Gravitation. It was truly inspiring for the students. Everyone involved would like to extend their thanks to Woolsthorpe Manor and the National Trust for such a great experience.”
Esther Cropper, Learning Officer at National Trust’s Woolsthorpe Manor, adds: “We really enjoyed Ockbrook School’s visit; the students engaged really well with their tasks and were polite and attentive – they are a credit to the school. We are looking forward to seeing the resources they produce.”
For more than 300 years people have come to Woolsthorpe. Visitors can discover Newton’s science in the hands-on Science Centre, stand in the room where he used a prism to split sunlight into the colours of the rainbow, and walk to the village church where he was baptised. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/woolsthorpe-manor.
Ockbrook School is a leading independent school located between Derby and Nottingham in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside. For more information visit: www.ockbrooksch.co.uk.