Factors Affecting the Strength of Concrete

	PROJECT DESCRIPTION Students with learning difficulties are producing a range of concrete products, developed through a programme of rigorous experimentation.	AREAS OF SCIENCE Astronomy Chemistry Computing Engineering / Technology Environment Interdisciplinary Life Science / Medicine Physics	WHERE School Other institution Field / Expedition WHEN In curriculum Extra curricular Work experience	SCHOOL TYPE Primary Secondary to 16 Post 16 Independent Maintained Sixth Form College Further Education
	PROJECT ORGANISERS Mr Dick Berry, Florence Brown Special School. Mr Rowland Morgan, Civil Engineering Department, University of Bristol. Dr Stephan Natynczuk, then with Clifton College/Clifton Scientific Trust.

Project Participants

The whole of the Year 10 group (usually 20 students) split into two groups of 10 for alternate half terms throughout the year. The project has been running for 6 years. The project is conducted within the curriculum and accounts for approx 30% of science curriculum time in Year 10, or 1.5 hours per 10 day cycle. All students receive some form of accreditation through either the City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education using a GNVQ skills base at level 1 and/or CREST Awards and/or Youth Awards.

Science Programme

Florence Brown School is a school for students with learning difficulties. This dictates that activities must be practical and closely linked with the real world. The main objective of the project is to encourage students to adopt a scientific approach to solving practical problems. The work centres on measurements of the strengths of various mixes of concrete. The work undertaken by a particular group of students falls into the following categories:

Planning research as a group; setting out problems and deciding methods. A problem might be "How can we find the minimum proportion of cement in a concrete mix necessary to make a particular artefact?";
Constructing apparatus; testing jigs, moulds, etc;
Carrying out research by i) making samples of concrete; weighing, measuring, timing, observing; recording accurately; and ii) measuring the strength of concrete samples, by ballistic tests or by suspending increasing weights on a small beam until fracture occurs and recording results accurately.

The students are responsible for keeping collective records and also their own personal diaries.

Personal Development

Students testing the strength of concrete Students have been highly motivated. They have solved practical problems by the application of scientific methods of working. The project has gained much respect for the children, whom many might not expect to achieve a great deal. Students and teachers have had opportunities to contribute to national conferences and other events on equal terms with those from more prestigious establishments.

Project leader and Deputy Head of Florence Brown School Mr Dick Berry has also gained a great deal from this project, not the least of which is learning a great deal about concrete and its properties! He has found contact with colleagues from the university and other education establishments very beneficial to his students, to himself and to the school as a whole.

Outcomes

Students pour concrete ingredients into a cement mixer Each year the project has produced an Annual Report to the Committee of the Scientific Research in Schools Scheme, noting its achievements. It won the Paul Dirac Award in 1992 and is being exhibited in New Frontiers in Science at the Royal Society in 1995.

Products (concrete garden furniture) are sold in the local community through a school company, Green Fingers plc which students help to run. Profits are reinvested or go to providing opportunities for the students in the summer holidays (these can include regular summer science expeditions to Lundy and provide students with outdoor experiences they would not normally have, such as horse-riding, sailing and canoeing).

Students have gained in confidence as a result of participation in this work, particularly when linked to other curriculum initiatives, such as the Avon County Construction Curriculum Project (TVEI; Construction Industry Training Board). Students have talked with teachers, lecturers and professionals in the construction industry with confidence and without reference to Mr Berry, when taking part in exhibitions and other events.

Project Origin

The project arose from practical problems encountered in a mini enterprise scheme. Some 14 year olds in Year 10 ran a concrete garden products business and wished to make concrete which was both cheap and strong.

The Project obtained the support of the Research in Schools Scheme. Work was facilitated through the Clifton Scientific Trust, which provided advice concerning funding and made available a member of staff (Dr Natynczuk) to work with the project one morning per week. The programme is now linked with the 'Science for Real' programme which Clifton Scientific Trust is mounting with a number of schools in the Avon area with the support of the Local Education Authority.

Resources

Time is provided within the curriculum.
Space has been a problem but facilities have been concentrated in a single area for 1994 and 1995.
Project advisers have worked extensively with the pupil team. Sixth form students from Clifton College have also helped, providing them with a valuable learning experience which they have greatly enjoyed.
A number of local firms have been supportive.
Funds have been obtained from the Scientific Research in Schools Scheme and through some reinvestment of income from the enterprise.

Contact

Mr Dick Berry, Deputy Head, Florence Brown School, Leinster Avenue, Knowle, Bristol BS4 1NN.
Tel: +44 (0) 117 9668152.