Force meters or spring scales were out in force this afternoon at Shiplake CE Primary School, not something you see everyday. The pupils were measuring fricton levels in newtons( F = μN). They were finding out how much force were needed to move a shoe across different surfaces, in this case, turf, sand and gravel. There were plenty of variables, look at all those different trainers and look at all those children with their varying pulling actions and angles. The newton readings will be variable too.
All this will lead to another body of work which will look at frictions usefulness in trainer or car tyre design for example. Whatever their results, this innovative and creative way of teaching reinforces and underlines our Four Key Pillars of Learning in school.
