This is a mobile lab that gives young people the chance to explore science through hands-on experiments.

It is operated by the Institute of Physics in partnership with OPITO, the Scottish Government, the Welsh Government, Schlumberger Foundation and STEMNET.

During the visit all S2 pupils and a large number of S1s had the opportunity to experience experiments on Camera Optoelectronics, where they investigated everything from pinhole cameras to pixels, Resonance, where they got the chance to try to shatter a glass using sound, and Hele Shaw cell where they were challenged to extract as much oil as possible from the cell at the lowest cost. The experiments were guided by Charlotte Govan and her group of volunteers, who want to share their passion for science and their curiosity about the world we live in, and a number of Beath’s own S6 pupils, who received training on each of the experiments.

The last day of the visit brought visitors from the Institute of Physics, and local MP Gordon Brown, who spent some time talking with some of the pupils and watching the experiments.

Beath rector Douglas Young said, “Charlotte and her team were full of compliments for our senior pupils who had given up their time to become very competent demonstrators. The whole experience was enjoyable for all involved”.

MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath, Gordon Brown, was impressed with the lab on wheels, “This is a great imitative.

“Science matters to our industrial future and schools throughout the country are queuing up to host the Lab in a Lorry and I am pleased that Beath High School, which is doing so well in science, was chosen for the visit.” He added, “Fife produced one Nobel prize winner in Sir James Black, born at Brighills and a former pupil at Beath, and I hope that visits like these will help us discover the next one soon.”