On Saturday 26 September, Bristol Composites Institute's "Blown Away!" stall at FUTURES Discovery Day brought together interactive demonstrations of composite materials, wind energy and engineering research for visitors of all ages. The stall was delivered by a team of staff and students from across the Institute, including members of the BladeUp project, the CoSEM CDT and the ISCE CDT, with many others contributing behind the scenes through planning, funding, design and activity development.
Drawing visitors to the stall were two eye-catching exhibits: a large spinning wheel and a bamboo truss-built aircraft model. Each coloured segment of the spinning wheel corresponded to a mystery box containing either a composite material sample or a model of a real-world application, from aerospace to competitive sport, and proved a fantastic conversation starter.
The aircraft model meanwhile formed the centrepiece of an engineering inspection challenge, where visitors used handheld metal detectors to locate hidden defects and learn about the importance of non-destructive testing in maintaining safety and performance.
A range of composite material samples helped illustrate the unique properties of composites, how they are manufactured, and how fibre orientation affects material behaviour when subjected to loading and twisting forces. These demonstrations prompted interesting discussions about sustainability, recyclability and the wide range of engineering applications that rely on composite materials.
Wind-themed activities gave visitors the opportunity to explore the principles behind wind energy and turbine design. Participants could build and decorate their own paper pinwheels, as well as experiment with miniature 3D-printed wind turbines, testing the effects of different blade shapes and sizes. An element of competition was introduced through races involving small sail-powered cars, with visitors encouraged to predict which designs would perform best. The opportunity to design and build their own sails proved especially popular, with many participants testing creative ideas, cheering on their cars, and proudly adding their distances on the leaderboard.
Moumita Sit, Technical Specialist in Composites, said: “It was a very different kind of Saturday for me, and one I will remember very fondly. Spending time with the children and feeling their energy and enthusiasm made the whole day come alive. I loved seeing their curiosity spark as they explored the activities, asked questions, and discovered things for themselves. It reminded me how much joy there is in simply sharing an experience and seeing the world through a child’s sense of wonder. I came home feeling happy, fulfilled, and grateful to have been part of such a beautiful event.”
Firat Ergin, ISCE CDT PhD student, said: “I still remember my first encounter with composite materials. At 11, I helped my father repair a damaged fibreglass boat and was fascinated by how soft, cotton-like fibres combined with liquid resin could transform into something so strong and water-resistant. That experience sparked my passion for engineering and composites, eventually bringing me to Bristol Composites Institute.
That is why events like FUTURES Discovery Day mean so much to me. Seeing the curiosity and excitement in the children’s eyes reminds me of that first experience of discovery. Perhaps, among those who visited our stall, we have planted the seeds of curiosity that will one day grow into the next generation of scientists and engineers.”