Dr Ken Farquhar did a PhD in soap bubble science, and at the same time was learning to juggle and be a street entertainer. He then became a chemistry teacher. After a while, he decided to combine all his talents. He now brings his circus show into schools. In this programme Dr Ken does a show and workshop for Year 9 pupils at Bishop Ramsey C of E School in Hillingdon. Using a power drill, a basketball, a smelly sock, and a host of other bizarre props, Ken helps the pupils understand principles such as gravity, friction, air resistance and gyroscopic forces. Then the pupils try skills like tightrope walking and plate-spinning for themselves. The programme also looks at a research project that studied how effectively certain pupils could be engaged by learning circus skills, and the unexpected results it yielded.

Video Series: Inspirations
Release Date 2007