AT I RV I N E B AY
S C H O O L AC T I V I T I E S PRO G R A M M E 20 15 / 16
Dame Jocelyn Bell-Burnell, President,
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
D E L I V E R E D B Y T H E ROYA L S O C I E T Y O F E D I N B U RG H ( R S E )
S U P P O RT E D B Y I RV I N E B AY R E G E N E R AT I O N C O M PA N Y
T H E S C H O O L S ’ PRO G R A M M E O F F E R S TA L K S, L E C T U R E S
A N D WO R K S H O P S D E L I V E R E D B Y S O M E O F S C OT L A N D ’ S
L E A D I N G E X PE RT S. E V E N T S A R E F R E E TO S C H O O L S A N D
AVA I L A B L E T H RO U G H O U T T H E S C H O O L Y E A R .
S CIENCE AND REG ENERATION
There is a long history of science,
engineering and manufacturing
companies thriving in the Irvine
Bay area. Irvine Bay Regeneration
Company is committed to attracting new
businesses and growing this sector.
Local young people can benefit
by understanding more about the
opportunities for careers in:
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• Science (particularly life sciences)
•Engineering
•ICT
•Manufacturing
•Entrepreneurship
The Talk Science programme builds on the
regeneration company’s earlier education
programmes involving thousands of young
people in the regeneration which is bringing
real change to the area.
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S PE A K E R S
W H Y I LOV E S C I E N C E
All of our talks are by experts, keen to enthuse and excite students on a wide range of
subjects. Many of our speakers are willing to work with teachers, to tailor their talks to fit
with class curriculums, and to suit different age groups and class sizes. This programme
provides a flavour of some of the speakers we have available, along with their lecture
topics. If however there is particular topic you want a speaker for, just get in touch and
we will be delighted to discuss how we can help.
Last year we asked visiting speakers to create short videos in our “Why I love science”
series. Watch the videos for a great insight into our talks series; use them to inspire young
people or create your own and post with our hashtag #talkscienceirvinebay.
F R E E TO S C H O O L S
H OW YO U C A N H E L P
The talks are free to schools. The programme will cover all speakers’ costs, including travel
and accommodation. All schools need to provide is a venue for the talk and, of course,
the audience! Teachers are also asked to supervise the audience during talks and provide
some feedback afterwards.
We are committed to promoting science as a valuable route to the regeneration of Irvine
Bay. Your help can make all the difference in spreading the word to young people and
others in the community.
www.irvinebay.co.uk/why-I-love-science
/irvinebay
/irvinebay
search for Irvine Bay
Use #talkscienceirvinebay and help get our campaign to promote science careers
and opportunities noticed.
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S PE A K E R
TO PI C
TA L K T I T L E A N D D E S C R I P T I O N Dr Elspeth
Jajdelska
English &
Literature
L I T E R AT UR E A ND T HE S C IE N C E O F
T HE B R A IN
Why might some classic novels seem hard to read
nowadays? The new science of reading can help us answer
this and other questions about literature. Is it really true that
attention spans for books are shorter than in the past? How
do the bestsellers of one century turn into the neglected
classics of the next? And can understanding cognitive
science help breathe new life into the Scottish classics?
S PE A K E R
TO PI C
TA L K T I T L E A N D D E S C R I P T I O N Professor Roy
Burdon FRSE
Science
& Art
A R T M E E T S S C IE N C E – S C IE N C E
MEETS ART
This talk looks at the interface that has existed between
the visual arts and science since Renaissance times. Artists
and scientists have progressively understood the complex
structure of the world as shaped by the steady increase
in scientific knowledge. Although there are differences in
the creative processes involved, there are many areas of
interaction. Key questions are ‘how has science informed
art?’, and ‘how has art informed science’
Mid / upper secondary school
Professor
James
Chalmers
Law/Politics
W H AT S H O UL D B E A C R I M IN A L
O F F E N C E , W H Y, A ND W H O D E C ID E S ?
Governments constantly decide to create new criminal
offences, some of which can give rise to considerable
controversy. Is it, for example, justifiable to use the criminal
law in ways that restrict what people can do with their own
bodies or in their own homes, what people can say, or how
parents raise their children? This talk will explore how we
decide and justify what the criminal law should be.
Secondary school
Professor Roy
Burdon FRSE
Science
& Art
The use of light and colour as basic elements of artistic
practice and the manner in which we perceive them in
paintings is explored. The nature and sources of pigments
used by various artists and the role of such pigments as
components of paints in relation to light are also discussed.
Mid / upper secondary school
Ms Samantha
Yuille
Biology
YO UR B O DY ’ S D E F E N C E AG A IN S T
INF E C T I O N – I T ’ S A L L A B O U T G U T
IN S T IN C T
These aspects are followed by an overview of the differing
ways in which artists have experimented with light and
colour such as the symbolic use of colour, ‘disegno v colore’,
the expressive use of primary and complementary colours,
Op Art and the ambiguity of perception, and finally light
and colour themselves as both form and subject.
This talk considers the ‘good bacteria’ in the gut, how it
protects you from infection and what can happen if things
go wrong! You will hear about the common infections
related to the breakdown of the colonisation resistance
barrier and also common treatments.
Secondary school
Can be delivered at primary and secondary school level
Professor Roy
Burdon FRSE
Biology
T HE S UF F E R IN G G E NE
With an introduction to the nature of genes and their
function, this talk explores the impact on our genes from
various factors in modern society. These include direct
effects of toxic industrial and agricultural chemicals,
excessive sunlight, nuclear and other forms of radiation
(from mobile phones and electricity transmission systems),
atmospheric pollutants and food contaminants as well
as nutritional deprivation. Also explained are the means
whereby our bodies defend themselves from such
adversities and what happens when these defences are
overwhelmed.
The talk concludes with a discussion of preventative
strategies and lifestyle choices together with the
potential of ‘genetic engineering’ approaches to issues of
environmental ‘clean-up’.
L I G H T A ND CO LO UR – UN W E AV IN G
T HE R A INB O W F O R A R T
Professor Roy
Burdon FRSE
Science
& Art
H O W D O W E S E E PA IN T IN G S ?
Why do we do art in the first place? Is it something
embedded in our evolutionary past, possibly relating to
beauty and survival, or is it all in the mind?
Brain function certainly plays a role in the perception
of visual images and illusion in paintings. The talk then
explores how we contend with the inter-relationships of
lines, shapes, space, depth, texture, perspective, proportion
and colour using various paintings as examples. Finally our
appreciation of different ‘abstract’ art works with their dots,
zigzags, squares, splashes of colour, spirals and geometric
shapes is considered in relation to the phenomena
of ‘phosphene’ and ‘fractal’ based images.
Secondary school
Can be delivered at upper primary and secondary school level
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S PE A K E R
TO PI C
TA L K T I T L E A N D D E S C R I P T I O N Dr Francisca
Mutapi
Health &
Education
PA R A S I T E S A ND P E R F O R M A N C E – H O W
W O R M S DA M AG E A F R I C A N C HIL D R E N
Find out about a parasitic worm as ancient as Egyptian
mummies, and as sly as a fox, which affect billions of people
worldwide. Although these parasites occur in mostly poor areas
in the developing world, you will hear about some very famous
British people who have been infected by these parasites during
their recent visits to Africa. Discover how they affect all aspects
of children’s health, ranging from diminishing the children’s
ability to concentrate in class or perform during school tests and
physical activities, to the detrimental effects on the function
of their bladders and livers. This talk will explain how we are
treating millions of children in Africa who are affected by these
parasites and what differences it is making to their health and
school performance.
S PE A K E R
TO PI C
TA L K T I T L E A N D D E S C R I P T I O N Ms Alison
McLure
Physics
S C IE N C E : I T ’ S A P E O P L E T HIN G : A
D I S C U S S I O N W O R K S H O P F O R G IR L S
This workshop was piloted at the Big Bang Science Fair in
London in March 2013. The girls discussed myths and facts
about girls and women in STEM careers, and came up with
ideas on how to make a lasting difference. The Institute of
Physics has worked in partnership with WISE and Intel to
create this workshop, designed to inspire girls about the STEM
subjects where they are under-represented, such as physics and
computer science. It shows them how these subjects connect
with issues that girls care about and their importance as a
gateway into a wide range of interesting jobs and careers. The
workshop uses role models to facilitate small group discussion
and explore gender stereotyping in a comfortable and safe
environment.
Not available
in September
2015
Secondary school
Ms Alison
McLure
Physics
A N TA RC T I C A ( YO U C A N G O FA R W I T H
PHYSICS!)
The Antarctic is a remarkable continent – remote, hostile and
uninhabited. Yet it is of key importance to our understanding
of how the world works. For the early explorers, Antarctica was
the ultimate survival contest. For scientists, it remains a place
of intellectual challenge. Find out what kind of science is carried
out in the Antarctic. Meet a physicist and meteorologist and find
out how a physics degree took her to Antarctica and what life
there was like.
Not available
in September
2015
Lower – mid secondary school
Dr Sabrina
Malpede
Physics
A talk and demonstration on the aerodynamics and
hydrodynamics involved in sailing with very simple tools. Dr
Malpede will demonstrate important developments in sail
design throughout history.
Can be delivered at upper primary / lower – mid secondary
school level
Can be delivered at upper primary / lower – mid secondary
school level
Ms Alison
McLure
Physics
THE SCIENCE AND ART OF WEATHER
FORECASTING
The weather affects us all and is a particularly British obsession.
Find out from a meteorologist how weather forecasts are
prepared and the art involved in presenting them. This talk can
cover any aspects of weather the teacher wishes to cover.
Not available
in September
2015
Secondary school
Ms Alison
McLure
Not available
in September
2015
Physics
A RC T I C I S L A ND S O F S C IE N C E
Svalbard, far to Norway’s Arctic north, is an island group
with glaciers, fjords, reindeer and seabirds and also scientific
research. Alison McLure, back from her second scientific
expedition, shows images of landscape and wildlife in a
sometimes bleak yet breathtakingly beautiful setting. Also,
find out what science projects are carried out in such a far flung
place. Alison is also willing to provide talks on careers in physics.
H O W D O E S A S A IL B OAT S A IL ?
Dr Victoria
Martin
Physics
LIFE AT CERN: QUARKS, LEPTONS AND
(HIGGS) BOSONS
CERN, on the outskirts of Geneva, Switzerland, is host to the
world’s largest scientific facility: the Large Hadron Collider.
In 2012, physicists working on the Large Hadron Collider
announced the discovery of a new particle – the Higgs Boson,
whose existence had been predicted nearly 48 years ago by
Edinburgh theoretical physicist Pete Higgs. Dr Victoria Martin
from the University of Edinburgh has been a researcher at CERN
for 10 years. Victoria will discuss the research that takes place at
CERN, the science behind the Higgs Boson, and what it’s like to
work with 2,999 other scientists from 37 countries.
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Can be delivered at upper primary / lower – mid secondary
school level
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SPEA K E R
TO PI C
TA L K T I T L E A N D D E S C R I P T I O N S PE A K E R
TO PI C
TA L K T I T L E A N D D E S C R I P T I O N Mr Rory
O’Riordan
Physics
WA S T E D HE AT : W H Y N O T B UIL D A
S O L A R FA R M?
Dr Patrick
Harkness
Space
Systems
Engineering
W H AT G O E S UP
This talk covers the energy available from the Sun’s heat and
light, and explains the difference between photo-voltaic solar
panels that can be used to make electricity and solar water
panels that make hot water. A section of this talk also deals with
the storage of energy in cells and batteries for later electricity
generation, and explores the properties of the tanks used for
hot water storage. In addition, the active demonstrations will
be tailored to the age group and are designed to last about 40
minutes.
Rory O’Riordan also offers a range of other talks which explore
the following topics: sustainability, climate change, energy
conservation, building services engineering, global warming,
synoptic weather forecasting and many more.
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Professor
Adam
McBride OBE
FRSE
Maths
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Dr Pam
Anderson
Space
Systems
Engineering
B I G I S B E AU T IF UL
This talk might be described as an excursion into the world of
very large numbers. More precisely, we shall meet some rather
large positive integers, which have cropped up recently in a
variety of mathematical problems. Magic Squares, Sudoku,
secret codes and a dodgy chip all make an appearance.
Not available
in September
2015
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Professor
Adam
McBride OBE
FRSE
Maths
M AT H S I S B E S T
The last 40 years have been a Golden Age for mathematics.
Old problems have finally been solved after hundreds of years,
whilst many new areas have sprung up in response to the needs
of other disciplines. The subject can reasonably be described
as the language of modern business, engineering, science and
technology (BEST). This talk will try to justify this claim, but will
also include results that are simply elegant and beautiful. No
specialist knowledge is required.
Computing
HIGH PERFORMANCE COMPUTING
High performance computing is revolutionising the way we do
science, allowing researchers in many different fields to tackle
problems which are too large and complex to solve using
traditional theoretical approaches and which are impractical
to experiment on. Computer modelling provides a ‘virtual
experiment’ which can be used to provide unprecedented detail
of the way the world works, from weather simulation and the
properties of new materials, to the design of more efficient
aircraft and even understanding how dinosaurs walked!
Mr Bethune also offers a range of alternative talks on HPC.
F O L LO W YO UR C UR I O S I T Y
A summary of Dr Anderson’s career experiences to date,
including time spent at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
and a short description of space research at the University
of Strathclyde. This talk outlines the difference between
space science and engineering and details possible means of
obtaining space science data from an engineering perspective,
including planetary fly-bys, orbiters and landers. Aspects of
the Curiosity Mars Rover mission are shared, specifically Dr
Anderson’s experience watching the Curiosity landing at JPL.
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Dr Pam
Anderson
Space
Systems
Engineering
Not available
in September
2015
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Mr Iain
Bethune
We are used to the idea of gravity simply attracting objects
towards the Earth, but it also has some rather surprising effects
in space. Gravitational forces are at least partially responsible for
the Earth’s ocean tides, volcanism on Jupiter’s moons, and the
stability of Saturn’s spectacular ring system. In fact, we can even
exploit gravitational forces to accelerate spacecraft away from
the Sun through manoeuvres called gravitational slingshots. This
talk, with some accessible demonstrations involving bouncing
‘planets’, will show how all these different effects arise from one
single relationship proposed by Isaac Newton many hundreds
of years ago.
S PAC E S P IN - O F F S A ND O R B I T S
This talk provides details about the reasons we go into space, the
information we can glean from space exploration and its uses
and benefits. This includes a discussion of space spin-offs and the
everyday, often unexpected, items we use that have stemmed
from space. The different types of orbit we use to gain information
are also explained. The talk aims to showcase the importance
of space exploration to our life on Earth and the upcoming
opportunities for pupils in the space industry in the UK.
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Professor
John Brown
FRSE
Astronomy
BLACK HOLES AND WHITE RABBITS
Of all the amazing things in the Universe, black holes are the
most bizarre. These objects range from the tiny ones formed just
after the Big Bang to the supermassive ones in the centres of
galaxies, whilst the best known are those formed when massive
stars die. Questions about what black holes are, how they
come to exist, how we observe them, and what they do to the
world around them, are answered and illustrated by conjuring
techniques.
Secondary school
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
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SPEAKER
TO PI C
TA L K T I T L E A N D D E S C R I P T I O N Dr Giles
Hammond
Astronomy
T HE P H Y S I C S O F R A INB O W S
Rainbows are a beautiful natural phenomenon; they are seen
when it is both raining and the sun is out. But why do we see
the colours in a rainbow, and why do all rainbows show the
same colouring in the primary and secondary bows?
This talk will discuss how light is split up into its constituent
colours, and how these colours are separated in the raindrop.
We will further explore why rainbows are circular, why they have
no end and why the colours in the primary and secondary bow
are interchanged.
SPE AKERS
If you would like to invite one of our speakers to your school, enquire about other
topics or find out more, please contact Kate Kennedy, Project Officer, The Royal
Society of Edinburgh, email kkennedy@royalsoced.org.uk or call 07502 111 610.
Alternatively, please complete and return the enclosed Schools Talks
Application Form.
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Dr Giles
Hammond
Astronomy
G R AV I T Y : I T ’ S T HE L AW
It is a surprising fact that the gravitational force is the least well
understood of the fundamental forces of nature. The constant
which determines its strength, the Newtonian constant of
Gravitation G, is the least precisely measured of the physical
constants. This is a result of the weakness of gravity and the
measurement challenge. In this talk we will explore our current
understanding of gravity, including Newtonian gravity and
General Relativity. We will look at precision measurements of
gravity and the curious effect that all bodies fall with the same
acceleration in a gravitational field. We will further look in detail
at the generation of ‘gravitational waves’ from the acceleration
of massive objects such as neutron stars and black holes, and
the possibility of a Quantum Theory of gravity.
Secondary school
Dr Giles
Hammond
Astronomy
S C H O O L R E S O U R C E PA C K S
Discover a range of valuable resource packs to support teaching and learning. For
more information and to receive copies of the following resource packs, please
contact Kate Kennedy kkennedy@royalsoced.org.uk or 07502 111 610.
Pennie Latin, BBC Journalist,
Dame Jocelyn Bell-Burnell,
RSE and Patrick Wiggins,
Irvine Bay Regeneration
Company record ‘Brainwaves’
for BBC Radio Scotland.
T HE DA R K S ID E O F T HE UNI V E R S E
In this talk we will explore the mysteries of the Universe. Building
from the concepts of measuring the distance to faint galaxies
and the Doppler shift of light, we will look in detail at the current
observations that indicate that over 95% of the Universe is made
up of a strange form of matter called Dark Matter and Dark
Energy. The ultimate fate of the Universe will also be discussed,
including current observations that suggest the expansion rate
is accelerating, and its implications for our understanding of
cosmology and particle physics.
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
Professor
Martin
Hendry
FRSE
Astronomy
Professor Hendry can provide a wide range of talks on
astronomy and astrophysics including:
• Probing Einstein’s Universe with Gravitational Waves
• Exploring the dark side of the Universe
• 2020 vision: the future of astronomical observations
Can be delivered at upper primary / secondary school level
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TITLE
DESCRIPTION
TITLE
DESCRIPTION
The Mystery of
Movement
This resource pack has been produced using information and live video
footage from the 2013/14 RSE Young People’s Discussion Forum ‘The
Mystery of Movement’. The event used Parkour and dance to illustrate
different aspects of human movement such as balancing, jumping, and
spinning and looked into the science behind these movements. The event
gave pupils the opportunity to try out these moves with the help of trained
professionals and allowed them to explore potential careers arising from
studying these subjects further. The event also gave pupils the chance to
investigate and discuss a range of topics associated with these physical
activities to gain a better understanding about the connections between
these movements and our sensory organs.
Darwin: A
debating
resource
Two centuries after the birth of Charles Darwin, and 150 years after the
publication of his book ‘On the Origin of Species’, there is still debate about
his theory of evolution. The RSE can provide a debating resource pack and
a learning pack, produced by the University of Edinburgh, School of Biology
containing everything you would need to know about Darwin and current
research stemming from his work.
Chemistry Pack
In 2009 the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of Chemistry
recognised a need for exemplification of the chemistry ‘experiences and
outcomes’ in a Curriculum for Excellence. Through this project three resource
packs were created. The resources have been designed in line with the Scottish
Curriculum for Excellence but could be easily adapted for teaching elsewhere.
Enhancements
in Disability
Sport: a debating
resource for
teachers
The 2012 RSE Discussion Forum took place at Lochaber High School and
focused on the topical theme of Enhancements in Disability Sport. This
resource pack allows teachers to recreate the debates and related activities in
their own classroom, and is suitable for S4 to S6 students.
Computing
Science
Implementation of Curriculum for Excellence and the development of new
national qualifications in Scotland have presented a timely opportunity to
revise the way Computing Science is taught in schools and provide a more
interesting, up-to-date and engaging experience for both teachers and
learners.
Resource packs are available for the following topics;
• Crisps
• Wash Bag Chemistry
• Hand Warmers
Tall Tales about
Mind and Brain
• Memory and Learning, including Intelligence
• Language and Communication
• Brain and Behaviour
Level 3: Introduction to Computer Science
This resource provides an introduction to computer science and basic computing concepts and gives
students a grounding in computer programming.
A supporting resource pack for teachers has been created to be used
in conjunction with and/or independently of the conference. It provides
background information and relevant websites as well as student evaluation
sheets and links to the Higher Psychology and Human Biology curricula.
Level 3/4: Intermediate Computer Science
This resource explores further computing concepts, with a focus on abstraction, modularity and
hierarchy within programming.
Level 4: Mobile App Development
Stem Cells
Stem cells have the potential to help us treat many serious diseases, but their
use raises many contentious issues. What must society consider before this
potential is harnessed? S5 and S6 students from throughout the Highlands
met at Inverness College for a day of discussion and debate on stem cell
research. Read a report of the debate: www.royalsoced.org.uk/cms/files/
youngpeople/forums/stem_cell_report.pdf
Thomas
Telford 250th
Anniversary
Thomas Telford Teaching Resource Materials were produced as part of the
RSE’s programme of events for young people and the wider public from
across Scotland. The materials have been created for P6 and P7, S1 and S2
pupils. However, some teachers might want to use an activity outwith this
age range for example with S3 and S4 technology students.
Communication
– Lighthouses
(primary school
activities)
This RSE resource pack was developed as part of the Bell Rock Lighthouse
celebrations in 2011 - activity topics include navigation, communication,
building construction, lifestyles, nutrition, light and optics, weather and
stargazing.
This resource seeks to consolidate previous concepts through the medium of mobile app development.
In addition to providing a course in programming for mobile devices, it explores new paradigms in
computing e.g. mobile technologies and new interfaces, and provides ample opportunity for
inter-disciplinary linkage.
National Qualifications: An introduction to web-based information systems
This resource supports aspects of the Information Systems Design & Development Unit of the Scottish
National 4/5 Computing Science qualifications. It can also be used to support a number of Level 3/4
Computing Science outcomes within Curriculum for Excellence.
Page 14
The Royal Society of Edinburgh’s Conference ‘Tall Tales about Mind and
Brain’ aimed to unravel psychology and neuroscience topics that are seen
in the popular press but are often misinterpreted: the so-called Tall Tales.
The programme is designed to complement the Higher Human Biology and
Psychology curricula and the themes include:
Page 15
TA L K S C I E N C E @ I RV I N E B AY
S C H O O L AC T I V I T I E S A P PL I C AT I O N F O R M
F UL L N A M E
JOB TITLE
S UB JE C T A R E A
SCHOOL NAME
A ND A D D R E S S
PO S TCO D E
CO N TAC T E M A IL
CO N TAC T
P H O NE N UM B E R
1ST CHOICE
SPEAKER/
TO P I C
2 ND C H O I C E
SPEAKER/ TOPIC
3RD CHOICE
SPEAKER/ TOPIC
PO T E N T I A L
DAT E S F O R TA L K
SCHOOL
RESOURCE PA C K S
P L E A S E R E T U R N TO :
Kate Kennedy, Project Officer
The Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ
kkennedy@royalsoced.org.uk / Tel: 07502 111 610
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