What can I do for DS who seems to be gifted in physics?

[turdass]

DS1 is only in reception but is a prolific reader. He has taught himself a vast amount about science, particularly physics and recently got all the questions correct on a BBC revision physics test for key stage 3 kids. he is not learning anything relevant to his interests in school but we buy him books and take him to the local science museum when possible. He also is getting a circuit board etc to build circuits on. Is there any such thing as a science club for kids that you can pay for your child to attend? We are in manchester.

Is it this circuit board?
We have this one, fantastic kit for children 'that way inclined'

That's the one! Seems weird to me thast there are so many local groups for crafts/drama/arty kids but bugger all for children who like science and maths. I used to try to encourage DS to do the arty stuff but all he ever did was take apart the stapler etc to see how it worked. I've given up now!

I think you might have to ignore the child bit and dive straight into clubs for nerdy persons of all ages - eg railways of various gauges, aircraft groups, car groups, camera clubs.
People like your DS (if he's like the ones I am familiar with ) will be like that all their lives and there is not a lot of child sized stuff for them, it's all BIG PIECES OF KIT which they love to strip down & fiddle about with. So you might as well get him in there early. Try the junior ends of enthusiasts clubs so he can get covered in oil.

My brother was all into how things worked. He never did particularly well in the more academic parts of maths and physics but he could take the hoover apart and fix it at a very tender age: once he got to school age my parents never bothered to have a man in again. They let him do the fixing and mending at home, let him buy a computer quite young (no games in those days) and, like cat said, took him to courses for adults. Navigation and silversmithery were two things he did and enjoyed.

Watch the big bang theory on BBC1 and do some of the experiments? I would have loved that as a kid!

I was going to suggest Dorkbot but I've just had a look at the Manchester one and it doesn't seem to have been active for a while. It might be worth joining their mailing list though, and asking if there are any geeky meetings or events happening near you.

Dorkbot happened in London last night - so certainly worth looking at.

this lot are pretty good - DD started the Wizards Apprenticeship, but had too much other stuff going on. She did do the robot making workshop and was commended on her soldering skills .

"there are so many local groups for crafts/drama/arty kids but bugger all for children who like science and maths."

So true. And I'm glad someone else has noticed as DH and I are thinking ofsodding something like that. Is that a possibility for you, and maybe some other local parents?

Ds(9) is very gifted in physics. He is taking an A level in it this year which he has studied for at home on his own.

Make sure you have plenty of spare essential pieces of equipment. We have had several nasty experiences involving fridges, freezers and hoovers.

We have the snap circuits kit too. I used to take ds to local ironmongers shop and buy lots of bits of wires and stuff for him to mess around with. He got hours of pleasure from that.

Very cheap.

LOOK A REAL FREUDIAN SLIP from freudianslippery

"And I'm glad someone else has noticed as DH and I are thinking ofsodding something like that."

my day is made

OMG! Bloody iPhone!!!

And thank you sooo much for posting that. I am MNing on the bus and struggling not to laugh loudly :o

Thanks everyone, lots of good ideas here.

Evilclown, your Ds sounds very clever indeed!

FreudianSlippery - I am atrocious at science so I wouldn't dream of teaching DS!

For anyone who is London(ish) based reading in a similar situation, definitely worth looking at the kids' science days at the Royal Institution. They're varied, not just physics - lots of chemistry, biology, medicine etc but my daughter was right chuffed that last time she went she won the slowest-whilst-stable paper aeroplane competition. Aerodynamics in action!

An excellent part is that they have lectures during the day which in our experience have been brilliant.

(also, in an incredible, beautiful building . Be warned, the cafe runs out of food quickly).

Does anyone know of any science workshops or clubs particularly physics/chemistry for ages 13 and 18 in Middlesbrough (North East) and reading list for girl 13yrs.