Professor Archie's Science Lab

One more sleep til The Science of Sound at Eccles Library!

If I had to choose, I would say my favourite sound is the noise two snooker balls make when they strike each other in a quiet room.

What's your favourite sound?

Did you know that the smallest bone in the human body is even smaller than a grain of rice?

It's called the "stapes" - named after the Latin word for "stirrup" due to its distinctive shape - and is vital to the proper functioning of one of your most important senses!

Where do you think it might be found?

Professor Archie's Science Lab is HITTING THE ROAD once again!

Join us at ECCLES LIBRARY on Tuesday 4th August for...

👂👂👂~*The Science of Sound!*~👂👂👂

We all know what sounds are – people talking, birds singing, cars beep, aeroplanes roaring across the sky – but what actually *is* sound? In this workshop we will be exploring the Science of Sound, learning about how sound is created, how it travels, and how our ears and brains join forces to decode the signals hidden inside what we scientists like to call “wiggly air” (

No matter how large or small the scientist may be, proper safety gear must always be worn when launching rockets!

Goggles are a MUST whenever there is any risk of a foreign object or substance being introduced into the eye. In the case of our bicarb-and-vinegar rocket here, that substance could be acetic acid, aka C2H4O2!

Acetic acid is a corrosive chemical, meaning it can cause certain materials - including organic matter! - to dissolve on contact! Eek! Luckily, though, household vinegar is about 93-96% water, meaning that corrosive power is highly diluted and will instead leave your tongue tingling if you sprinkle some on a tasty salad.

However, even in this dilute state, vinegar is dangerous to get in your eyes! Your eyes are incredibly sensitive, and your cornea - the clear "lens"-like structure at the front of your eye - has the most densely packed nerve structures in your entire body! They're absolutely teeny tiny though, at just 0.5 micrometers wide they're hundreds of times thinner than a human hair, which is why you can't see them in your field of vision.

These densely packed nerves are why getting vinegar in your eye would sting so much - ouch! But that stinging is important, and it means your nerves are doing their job! By being so sensitive, they trigger a near-instant blinking + tearing up response, which both protects the eye from further harm AND flushes out any foreign objects, like dust or shampoo!

Your eye's natural defences are well and good, but if you ever get any foreign substances in your eyes, then the best thing to do is hold your eye open and rinse it out with plenty of sterile saline, commonly found in little sealed vials in First Aid Kits. You can also use contact lens solution for this! If nothing else is available, then plenty of fresh water will also do the trick.

Remember kids, the first rule of Science is: have fun and be yourself!

The second rule is: always wear the right protection for the experiment!

- Professor Archie

I just rediscovered this very sweet illustration that was handed to me a few years ago by a very artistically talented student after a lesson on Astrophysics.

In case the context is unclear, that is supposed to be me, except I have been transformed into a Pusheen.

Absolutely flawless. No notes!

Is it possible to turn a paper plate, a lump of blu-tack and an engineering mindset into a Fully Functional Flying Machine? The answer is, of course.... YES! Especially if you have the level of concentration that these Young Scientist did, despite the recent soaring temperatures.

With thanks to the wonderful folks at Hattersley Library for hosting the Lab (and their wonderful air conditioning), and the three most excellent groups of scientists for joining us!

Do you have a library nearby that you would like Professor Archie to run a workshop in? Drop a comment below!

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For all enquiries about workshops or Professor Archie's Amazing Science Parties, get in touch via the following:

Whatsapp/Phone: 07887 567889
Email: [email protected]

Fresh off the back of another wonderful party, it's all systems go for us at the Lab!

The birthday girls had all of their cousins round for a scientific exploration of space travel, where we did Advanced Astronaut Training, learned how to mix our own rocket fuel, and turned one of the birthday girls into a Living Wire with so much electricity going through her she was able to light up a light bulb!

Weekend blocks are being booked up for the summer, so if you would like to have Deputy Liz and Professor Archie (aka "Professor Scientist", according to one of the younger guests) around to entertain AND educate your little scientists, please get in touch!

Email: [email protected]
Insta: archies_science_lab
Whatsapp: 07887 567889

Party entertainment starts at just £160 for 1 hour, including an interactive science show, themed party games, and a Take Home Science Project for every attendee. We also offer 1.5hr an 2hr blocks which feature much more, including extended experiments and our amazing Dry Ice Show!

Quote from the birthday girls' parents:

"He went above and beyond our expectations and my 4 year old went to sleep singing “Happy Birthday Amaya and Professor Archie” so i know this one will be remembered for a good while!"

Keep it sciencey!!

Another great day's workshops at the library! This time we were in Hattersley for an in-depth look at the Evolution of Flight. We learned about kites and helicopters and aeroplanes and how humans have yearned to soar like a bird for as long as we've been able to look up at the sky!

Thank you to all the amazing young scientists who joined Deputy Liz and Professor Archie for this great day of science!

Hello fellow science-heads!

Professor Archie's Science Lab has TWO upcoming dates for FREE workshops! The space to offer these brilliant educational Science Sessions has been generously provided by Tameside Libraries. Places are limited, so book fast!

Each day will consist of three age adjusted slots lasting 1 hour:
10am - 5-7 year olds
11.30am - 7-9 year olds
1.30pm - 9-11 year olds

May 16th - Stalybridge Library
🚀RADICAL ROCKETS: How to be a Rocket Scientist!

In this workshop we will be exploring the explosive ancient history of rockets and gunpowder, learning how you can literally explode someone so hard they go to the Moon, and building and launching our own flying rockets!

Book a place here: https://tinyurl.com/bddbmp9n

🧪COOL CHEMISTRY: Catalysts, Compounds and Chemicals!

At Hattersley library we will be exploring the amazing world of Chemistry! Everything around you is made of chemical compounds - even you! - and their interactions with each other govern every aspect of our lives. Expect some amazing displays, fun experiments, and the opportunity to craft and keep your own crazy concoctions!

Book a place here: https://tinyurl.com/mtzmzt5x

Can't wait to see you there!

🔭For further information about private workshops, 1-to-1 science sessions, and our Science Spectacular birthday parties, feel free to get in touch!

Email: [email protected]
Whatsapp/Phone: 07887 567889

Exciting events are brewing up in the Lab for the near future!

Stay tuned to find out more about Professor Archie's Science Lab and our collaboration with Tameside Libraries! :-)