TV scientist Marty Jopson broadcasts Zap show live from Leeds school

Television scientist and presenter Marty Jopson hosted a special live broadcast of his Zap science show from The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL).

More than 2,000 pupils tuned into Zoom to join in the fun from their classrooms in primary schools across 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 as Marty’s hair stood on end when he touched his giant home-made Van De Graaff machine. 

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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 - best known as the science presenter for the BBC One Show - questions. A bubble of year 5 pupils from GSAL played the part of Marty’s ‘studio audience’.

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 engaging educational content and shows like this.”

Visit otleysciencefestival.co.uk for more information about the event.

Teachers are also welcome to email [email protected] if they would like to attend GSAL’s events for schools in the future.

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