A team of Bristol Composites Institute (BCI) researchers including Prof. Richard Trask, Dr. Laura Rhian Pickard, Sara Alvira de Celis, Bohao Zhang, Boss Budninpech and Jula Schroeder - BCI researchers aligned to the NextCOMP programme grant and CoSEM CDT – collaborated with colleagues Ayanna Davis and Tanveer Talokder from the National Composites Centre (NCC) host an exhibition stand at the FUTURES Festival Schools Research Fair. The event, held at the S.S. Great Britain on Bristol Harbourside provided a vibrant platform for showcasing cutting-edge composites research to a diverse audience of students and educators.

Part of the stand involved school pupils, aged 9-11 years, manufacturing their own jelly and pasta composite before it was put to the test using the renowned “NextCOMP Crusher”, followed by a thorough failure inspection with magnifying glasses. Pupils discovered that jelly blocks reinforced with pasta strands could withstand significantly higher loads than plain jelly blocks. This simple experiment demonstrated the fundamental principles of composite materials, where combining different materials results in enhanced strength. They also learned that the orientation of the pasta strands—how they were placed inside the jelly—played a crucial role in determining the load-bearing capacity, showing the importance of fibre orientation in real-world composites.

But the learning didn't stop there! The students explored real-world examples of composites found in nature and everyday objects. They examined the structure of bamboo and an abalone shell. They looked at a sea sponge’s delicate yet incredibly strong silica structure. When comparing the weight and feel of a traditional wooden squash racquet to a modern composite one, the pupils were surprised at how incredibly light the composite racquet was.

To further engage their curiosity, the pupils participated in a vote to determine their favourite animals with composite structures. With its protective composite shell, the armadillo emerged as the clear winner, followed closely by the powerful mantis shrimp, renowned for its incredible club-like appendages. These natural examples brought the concept of composite materials to life, demonstrating their widespread presence and remarkable functionality in the world around us.

FUTURES is an annual festival of discovery that celebrates the research and innovation taking place at Universities across the South West of England. It brings science, culture and research to life in new and exciting ways through free events, including late-night museum openings, hands-on activities, exhibitions, storytelling, talks, walks, scavenger hunts and more. The Schools Research Fair at S.S. Great Britain is designed to inspire local pupils from Bristol-based state primary school to be curious, think about how big challenges are overcome, and consider becoming scientists and researchers in the future.