STANLEY Primary School enjoyed a visit from an Olympic athlete for a physics lesson with a difference.

The Ardrossan school welcomed Scotland’s women’s curling captain, Eve Muirhead, who came to talk to them about the links between sport and science as part of EDF Energy’s education outreach work.

After hearing about Muirhead’s career in curling and the ways that science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) are used in her sport, the pupils took part in a hands-on experiment to explore friction, momentum and distance.

The children were given different materials and were tasked with carrying out an experiment involving a toy car.

Kirsty Bryson, Principal Teacher at Stanley Primary, said: “We would like to thank Eve Muirhead and EDF Energy for visiting our school. It was an inspiring experience for all of our pupils and helped them to learn about the links sport has with science, technology, engineering and maths.

“They loved getting the opportunity to meet a real Olympic medallist.”

Acting Hunterston B Station Director, Paul Forrest, added: “We are delighted to be working with Eve Muirhead to help children make the connections between STEM and sport and consider the variety of careers that are available to them by studying STEM subjects at school.

“EDF Energy is investing in the next generation of Scottish minds because we know that if Scotland is to address the energy challenges of the future it needs to have a workforce with strong skills in STEM.”

Eve Muirhead, who recently won a gold medal at the European Curling Championships, said: “It was great to be able to talk to the pupils about my experiences and explain to them how science touches almost every part of my sport.

“Curlers use geometry and physics every time we take to the ice. We rely on doctors, physiotherapists, sports scientists and nutritionists to keep us fit for competition and design engineers ensure we have the right kit and equipment that will help us perform at our best”.