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.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Monday, 14 March 2011
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 :-)
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 :-)
Friday, 11 March 2011
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 :-(
getting their science fix. We were swamped at times!
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 :-(
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
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
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
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
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".
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".
Friday, 26 November 2010
New Outreach activity
Next week, I'm doing a short talk at a local high school (who have a science specialism) on Food Safety and the role for mathematical modelling (QMRA - Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment).
First outing as a STEM ambassador - so hoping that it will go well.
First outing as a STEM ambassador - so hoping that it will go well.
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Mathematical Challenges for Biologists
I attended this event on Tuesday at Reading University. Organised by the UK Centre for Bioscience and BBSRC, it was well attended (~40 people) and discussions centred upon the fact that some candidates starting a Biology degree encounter problems with mathematical concepts that are essential to biology (e.g. calculating how to make up Molar solutions or in the use of logs in calculating pH) i.e. 'toolkit' skills.
Additionally, awareness needed improving that candidates hoping to progress into areas like Systems Biology or Mathematical modelling need even more advanced maths skills.
Actions suggested include communicating better to prospective candidates of the advantages of having AS or A2 Maths and remedial course modules targetting the deficiencies where they exist.
I learnt quite a bit about the areas of maths that e.g. GCSE holders have covered (depending upon grade in Foundation or Higher) which may well be useful when designing outreach activities for STEm activities.
Extremely productive day and hopefully it will improve the Biology degree experience for undergraduates.
(I have a great deal of sympathy as in my day,I did all 3 sciences at A-level and only O-level Maths and had to work hard to catch up and still am via the OU. With the way in which Biology has changed the need for mathematical skills has grown).
Additionally, awareness needed improving that candidates hoping to progress into areas like Systems Biology or Mathematical modelling need even more advanced maths skills.
Actions suggested include communicating better to prospective candidates of the advantages of having AS or A2 Maths and remedial course modules targetting the deficiencies where they exist.
I learnt quite a bit about the areas of maths that e.g. GCSE holders have covered (depending upon grade in Foundation or Higher) which may well be useful when designing outreach activities for STEm activities.
Extremely productive day and hopefully it will improve the Biology degree experience for undergraduates.
(I have a great deal of sympathy as in my day,I did all 3 sciences at A-level and only O-level Maths and had to work hard to catch up and still am via the OU. With the way in which Biology has changed the need for mathematical skills has grown).
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