SIXTH-FORMERS have been going suba-diving to help with their science lessons.
A group of year 13 chemistry students at Colonel Frank Seely school, in Calverton, took part in two scuba-diving sessions at Beechdale Baths to learn more about water pressure and gases.
The sessions were organised by chemistry teacher Dimitri Hautot, who enjoys scuba-diving in his spare time.
"Teachers are always looking for ways to inspire students," he said.
"We designed a suitable activity of combining a dive for our students with three short scientific experiments, which took place underwater.
"The students had studied the topics in class. However, their involvement in the experiments gave them a true understanding of the effect of pressure on gases. The trip was a real success and we will be running it again next year."
During the two sessions in the 4m deep diving tank, the students were given the chance to understand how gases work through several experiments, including playing Frisbee underwater and watching the effect of pressure on a balloon.
They also used the "ideal gas law", which they had learnt about in class, to calculate the depth of the swimming pool.
Sixth-former Henry Lander, 17, of Mapperley, said the scuba sessions really helped him with his studies. He is planing to go on to study physics at university.
"The sessions were really fun and very different to a normal lesson," he said. "I learnt a lot about how pressure changes under water, which put the principles into practice in my mind.
"I've never been scuba-diving before. It was good to see how pressure works in real life instead of just being told about it in the classroom."
Classmate Cameron Turner, 17, of Calverton, agreed and said the sessions should become part of more science lessons. He said: "It was a great experience. The equations don't usually stick in my mind straight away but seeing them in practice really helps when you can have a go at it yourself.
"We saw how the different pressures worked at different depths and the volume it occupies. I definitely think other schools should try and incorporate scuba-diving in science lessons if they can."
