Students from our school in year 10 recently embarked on an exciting educational journey to Science Live, an event designed to inspire curiosity about the world of science. The day featured several expert speakers, each delivering both entertaining and educational presentations on a range of fascinating topics.
Dr Kate Lancaster began the day by exploring the possibilities of nuclear fusion energy. Her talk discussed the future of clean, limitless power and the ongoing research aiming to replicate the energy of the sun on Earth. She highlighted how there are two main types of nuclear fusion, one using plasma, which is her expertise, and another using lasers. Dr Lancaster left us feeling optimistic about the role nuclear fusion could play in sustainable energy solutions.
Next, Dr Giles Yeo shared his insights on the genetics of obesity. He discussed how our DNA can influence body weight and the science behind the complex relationship between genes and lifestyle. His talk encouraged the audience to rethink common assumptions about health and nutrition.
Professor Sophie Scott took to the stage to explore the neuroscience of laughter. Her presentation combined science with humour, explaining how laughter is not only a social bonding tool but also beneficial to communication, brain function and mental well-being. The audience was left both informed and thoroughly entertained. A fact we learnt was that the biggest cause of laughter is seeing others laugh, not hearing a joke like we would assume.
One of the event's most interesting talks came from Professor Jim Al-Khalili, who fascinated the audience with his expertise on time travel. Professor Al-Khalili explained how concepts such as wormholes and relativity could theoretically allow for journeys through time, and how future time travel is possible, but past time travel is not. He recommended his favourite film “Interstellar” to us, explaining that it is almost completely scientifically accurate.
Finally, Professor Andrea Sella rounded off the day with an intriguing presentation titled "How Did the Zebra Get Its Stripes?". Professor Sella explained the chemistry and physics behind natural patterns and how science can unlock the mysteries of animal markings. He educated us on the similarity between population change in a food chain and equilibrium in chemical reactions. He did this by bringing the lab onstage to showcase a chemical reaction which kept changing colours back and forth, despite no more substances being added.
Science Live was a great opportunity for year 10 to engage with real-world science and hear directly from leading experts in their fields. Each speaker offered a unique viewpoint, sparking curiosity and inspiring many students to consider careers in science. The day was not only educational but also highly entertaining, leaving everyone eager to learn more about all the interesting aspects of science.
Written by Otto - Year 10
