Physics, Superheroes and Westmeath!

Physics, Superheroes and Westmeath – there are three words you don’t often expect to see together, but they do thanks to a new project in Mullingar.

‘Exploring the Physics of Superheroes’ is a new Midlands Science outreach project that allows students to experience the excitement of superheroes while learning all about the physics that make such stories possible.

The project is managed by Midlands Science and delivered by physicist Dr Barry Fitzgerald, who has done extensive research work in this area.

The project is supported by the Institute of Physics, a society and professional body that works to advance physics education, research and application. The Institute of Physics Limit Less campaign aims to support young people to change the world by doing physics.

Fiona Longmuir of the Institute of Physics said the project will bring together a range of well-known characters from the Marvel Universe and other pop culture references, exploring and explaining the amazing physics behind their super powers.

“Outreach such as this is a vital way of exploring what science and physics can bring to our lives in the future, it’s often things we thought a short while ago were the stuff of movies and science fiction.”

The project is being piloted in two schools in Mullingar, Coláiste Mhuire and Loreto College, and will involve groups of students working together to develop their physics and team-work skills and will culminate in an event in late October, where students will share what they have learned and where they hope physics will take them next.