Flir provides thermal imaging for school lessons

Flir Systems' Kevin Saxton, asked students to put a hand imprint on their shoulders, during a practical introduction to thermal imaging at Rainham Mark Grammar School in Kent.

The thermographic camera trained on the scene revealed thermal traces of where hands had been via a projected image on the science lab wall.

This highly visual technology was already making its mark on a new generation of potential scientists and engineers.

The presentation preceded the formal hand-over of a Flir thermal imaging camera to the school's Head, Simon Decker, on Thursday 8 July 2010.

Flir Systems, based in West Malling, Kent, is the UK sales and service arm of the world leading manufacturer of thermal imaging cameras.

The company has donated one of its compact Flir i-Series to Rainham Mark Grammar to enhance curriculum provision.

The Flir Systems thermal imaging will provide opportunities to enhance teaching practices at the school.

The first project with which it will be involved is a week long science residential course.

Science teacher Emma Laxton will take a group of thirty three Year 7 pupils to the Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve near Skegness, and commented: "They will be able to use the infrared technology first hand to record images of nocturnal animals such as bats and owls".

"We will also be looking at surface water temperature and other objects, both living and inert".

Another prospective project for the camera is assisting a student working party that has been charged with the task of examining the sustainability of the school.

In this regard, the Flir camera will be used to discover failings in building fabric and locate the sources of energy loss.

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