| The Science Date 3.0 |
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On 5th April 2011 five scientists working in South East
Wales came face-to-face with 60 pupils from local secondary schools at
the third annual Science Date event at UWIC's Cyncoed Campus. The team of five scientists were made up of Dr Gareth Jones and Dr Ann Harvey from Cardiff University, Rhys Phillips an Engineer working at EADS who studied a degree in Maths and Physics at Cardiff University, Hugh - a Microbiologist by degree, and Christine, a researcher from University of Glamorgan. The pupils, from Blaengwar Comprehensive School, Ysgol Gyfun Cymer Rhondda and Glyncoed Comprehensive School, had the opportunity to speak to the scientists about their experiences and expertise. The Science Date aims to give pupils an insight into the real world of the scientist and hopes to dispel the stereotypical view of scientists that pupils tend to have (see the images below from the pupils in their initial session). The school pupils, with the help of the scientists, were introduced to areas of science they may not previously have been aware of, and were given guidance as to how they could follow a career in. Some of the topics covered by the scientists included the engineering involved in designing safe carbon fiber planes that can survive lighting strikes; a demonstration of a model baby, compete with sound effects, used for training nurses and doctors, and black holes and gravity waves. This event is also going to be part of the Discovery Festival running in the Heads of the Valleys in May 2011, allowing members of the public to get up-close and personal with working scientists. For more information please email lerobert@glam.ac.uk Pictures to follow. |
