Children create electric motors at SCRF 2024

Led by Sara Mezher, a filmmaker with a penchant for science, the workshop promised an engaging hands-on experience. Excited to see a copper wire swirl and dance like a ballerina on its own, children took seats at the table that had AA battery cells, a few neodymium magnets, and bare copper wires of a few inches long, neatly placed in the centre. 

Mezher's choice of experiment was deliberate, rooted in the enduring appeal and educational value of the homopolar motor, a timeless experiment dating back to Michael Faraday's groundbreaking demonstration in 1821 at London's Royal Institution. 

"Understanding the basics of this experiment lays a foundation for practical applications," she explained. "By grasping the conductivity of copper and the principles of magnetic fields, children can create their own inventions.” 

For participants like Umair, a regular attendee at the festival, the allure of science was irresistible. "I'm fascinated by science, and this workshop is right up my alley," he exclaimed. "Who knows, maybe I'll build a fan using what I learn here!" His sentiments were echoed by Oueeys, an eight-year-old with dreams of crafting an electric car, eager to soak up knowledge from future science workshops. 

Children also learnt that by reversing the polarity of the magnet, by flipping it over and placing the battery on the opposite end, the motor will change the direction of rotation.

One direction of rotation or the other could work better to make the motor spin, and experimentation showed the best way to place the magnets.

SCRF 2024, which will come to a close on Sunday, May 12, has the theme “Once Upon a Hero”. The action-packed festival for young readers, artists and creatives as well as their families showcases millions of books including latest releases in children’s and Young Adult (YA) literature from across the globe.