Fluid Dynamics KS3 Photography Competition Winners
Researchers at the University of Leeds invited KS3 school children to take part in a national science photography competition, aiming to explore the wonders of everyday fluid dynamics. Teachers were invited to submit a photograph or video that captures fluid dynamics in action, through experimentation or real-world observation. The entries were judged and prizes were awarded to the following students, along with a photograph of the winning submissions.
First Place: Nila Baskar (14), Isra Ali (13), Sophie Jewitt (13) and Apsara Naguleswaran (13) from Yarm School submitted a collection of images showing a range of fluid dynamics phenomena. They observed that Skittles in milk create “a swirl of colours in the solvent,” and adhesion properties between a spider web and water droplet molecules means “the droplets won’t drop off.” The judges said the students submitted a "stunning set of images" showing "so many important processes.”
Second Place: Ameen Khunda (13), also of Yarm School, placed 2nd with an imploding can experiment exploring “the motion of fluids when there is an imbalance of air pressure between two mediums.” Using tin cans, heat, and an ice bath, Ameen showed how the imbalance of pressure from the fluids inside and outside of the can results in a force which causes the can to deform. The judges commented that the experiment was "well executed and a fantastic description of the fluid processes, excellent!"
Third Place: Rhys, Hayden & Skye from Paulet High School submitted a video and images for their entry titled "Hydraulic Arm", where the students explored how syringes, water, and tubing can be used to control a robot arm. The judges said it "was a creative experiment" and a "nice example of fluid dynamics in action". 