Scientific Outreach

I have successfully applied to be a BBSRC School Regional Champion.
The submitted activity involves getting pupils to look at a food chain and to research aspects of it (Production, usage, food safety, consumer viewpoints and pollution/environmental aspects). It then gets them to do a presentation back on one aspect to their peers. I'm looking to deploy it at schools that I have an existing contact with plus forge new contacts (Hopefully including Scouts as they are in the age range of the scheme). Hope to work in IFR contributions to Biotracer and SUSSLE projects.

I've also been invited to give a lunchtime talk (as a STEM Ambassador) at a local High School in November.
It's about working in Scientific research and I hope to work a Diversity angle into it as well.

Free Genome Fridge Magnets

Serendipitous discovery - The Open University are giving away free sets of genome fridge magnets.

You get a set of human chromosomes (including 2 X and 1 Y) and this can be useful in all sorts of educational activities e.g. pairing up the chromosomes and noting differing lengths and the position of centromeres and the role of the chromomes in determining sex. Order them from here:

http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/science-maths-technology/science/biology/order-your-free-set-genome-fridge-magnets

Excellent for parents and educators aike.

Science Outreach in Norwich Day

Was at the Forum on Saturday on Institute of Food Research stand doing Taste & Flavour again (Assisting my colleague Dave) but to a more diverse audience.We had a good location near the entrance.
Lots of public interest with whole families trying the experiments. So many waves of people visited that I barely had time for a lunch-break and felt quite drained at the end. My colleagues on the BBSRC & JIC stands also drew a lot of attention - so good event all around.
Interesting stands from JIC & UEA as well. You can find some photos here and some YouTube video here. My understanding is that this is becoming an annual event.

More Pictures of IFR stand at Big Bang Fair in London

Brief post to say that there are more photos of  the Institute of Food Research Big Bang Fair stand on the IFR Facebook page.
See pictures of people bravely trying the Marmite super-taster experiment, looking at their taste-buds with blue food colouring, seeing the difference between taste and flavour and trying out the five basic tastes...
All in glorious technicolour :-)

Big Bang posting

Did Big Bang Fair yesterday at Docklands. Lots of classes full of bright children
getting their science fix. We were swamped at times!

Just under 300 people did the Marmite super-taster experiment
and many more visited the other parts of the stand (using food
colouring to see how their taste buds were laid out on their tongue
and trying the 5 basic tastes and an experiment with a sweet to show
the difference between taste and flavour.
Vince Cable (Dept. of BIS - the parent Gov. Dept. of our non-
departmental public body) was about but sadly he didn't get to
visit our stand :-(

Big Bang Fair

Will be on the Institute of Food Research (IFR) stand at Big Bang Fair in London (Docklands) this week
The stand is based upon the fun / educational (hopefully both!) subject of taste and flavour.
A topic key to the enjoyment of food...

Come and find us and have a go at some tasty experiments.

It is on twitter here

New year, new challenges

Have started a new OU Maths course unit (Pure Mathematics M208) having got my OU Certificate in Mathematics last year.

The bad weather meant that I was unable to do the school visit last year - I'm disappointed, but am hoping to reschedule in the near future.

Hopefully, I will be helping out at "Science in Norwich Day" (19th March 9:30am-4pm at the Forum).
The event billing is "Family science discovery day; hands on activities, exhibitions, displays and shows for all ages".