CEFAS - Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science trip 2011 Some students from The Thomas Hardye School enjoyed a visit to CEFAS in Weymouth. We learnt all about their important contribution to securing healthy and sustainable marine and freshwater environments for both now and in the future. When we arrived, Steve Irving - Divisional Director, Aquatic Health and Hygiene, gave us a brief introduction about what CEFAS is and does. He also told us about the effect of chemicals in water, fish stock assessments and management of what the coastal areas are used for. The scientists also monitor waves to predict flood events. Another interesting fact we were told was that they offer careers at any level, even if A levels (or equivalents) do not go as planned or expected. Training is offered too. Many students have worked at CEFAS and then gone on to get a degree from university. Most of their employees have degrees or PhDs though. A detailed explanation of shellfish, by Dr Carlos Campos, explained how healthy they really are as they provide us with vital vitamins. Water quality deeply affects the quality of the fish, for example a bacterium contaminates shellfish and when consumed by humans it stops nerves working properly which can cause death. Dr Campos showed us how to control shellfish, as contamination can easily occur, by de- purifying many of them before they go on sale. Finally, he gave us a few recommendations when purchasing shellfish including do not buy any with strong odours, keep them cold (less than 4 degrees Celsius) and when you buy them whole they should still be alive. The final presentation was by Dr Matt Longshaw, where he told us all about his job. CEFAS has enabled him to have freedom and flexibility to work with others and he seemed to be excited and enthusiastic about what he does for a living. Every working 1 Sparks Jan 2012
day is different and throughout his time there he has worked as a senior research scientist among other jobs. Discovering twelve new species and re- describing eight species of fish, Dr Longshaw was justifiably proud of his achievements. He believes it's not a job, it's a vocation! A tour of the workplace and description of certain parts of the laboratories and equipment followed, with the group splitting in two. There is also an emergency shower, with an amusing story involving someone who had to remove all their clothing after spilling chemicals there. Unfortunately, there was no shower curtain at the time and no plug hole resulting in embarrassment and a flooded floor. Overall, the day was a great success and we had a brilliant time. The trip was filled with many previously unknown facts and I'm sure it has inspired many to consider a career in this sector. It's the place to go if you're interested in the marine environment and it's certainly fair to say that without CEFAS, the world's oceans would definitely suffer and our knowledge of them would be far less. Nanotechnology in Medicine Project Tom Mereweather (author), Jonny Bartlett and Becca Man In April of this year, I attended the excellent Medisix course held at the University of Nottingham, designed to allow prospective medical students to better inform themselves of what a career in Medicine is actually like. At the course, the opportunity to do a medical research paper was made available, allowing students to add extra weight to their UCAS applications and ultimately get their work electronically published on the course s website. Thinking this was a great idea, I signed up, and a month or so after the course found a couple of friends also applying to Medicine to do the project with. The given topic was Nanotechnology in Medicine, and after discussing ideas with each other, we chose Nanotechnology in the treatment of brain tumours as our specific subject. The paper allowed all of us to really delve deeper into a topic we were interested in, and to develop our knowledge of the exciting current (and possible future) research in this field. Also, as I had certainly never done a project like it before, we were able to really develop our skills in researching and organisation. The latter became especially relevant when my partners both went on holiday towards the end of the project, and several expensive calls to Africa were eventually required to get the paper finished and sent off! Well done, a superb achievement. 2 Sparks Jan 2012
Science Clubs The Science Department is keen to support students wishing to develop their skills and interest in science beyond the curriculum by taking part in clubs and competitions. A range of opportunities are presently available we encourage you to take part and to look out for future announcements on the Science corridor noticeboards. STEM* clubs have been set up for all stages and ages. Students can work towards Bronze, Silver and Gold CREST Awards by joining any www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/ccaf/crest/ and this enables them to be considered for the South West Big Bang Competition; outstanding projects can be entered into the national finals of The Big Bang Fair to compete for the title of UK Young Scientist of the Year and other prizes www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/competitions_and_clubs.cfm. F1 in Schools Monday After School in Lab 3 Robotics (Qinetiq Powerboat Challenge) Monday After School in Lab 7 Breeding Fish Tuesday Lunchtime in Lab 19 Fossil Club Wednesday Lunch & After School Lab 18 Low Gravity Shuttle Launcher Wednesday After School in Lab 12 Mars Rover Wednesday After School in Lab 5 Scentsational Science - (Cosmetics) Wednesday After School in Labs 2 &7 Science of Photography Wednesday After School in Lab 3 Earthquake Detectors Thursday Lunchtime in Lab 9 Astronomy Thursday After School in Lab 3 Electronics Thursday After School in T1 Green Power Car Thursday After School meet Lab 5 & Poundbury Skills Centre Wildlife and Filming Friday Lunchtime in Lab 18 Café Sci 26th Jan After School & 9 March at Dorchester Arts Centre (*Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) 3 Sparks Jan 2012
Links to News Articles Links to BBC News articles of scientific interest Ants turned into 'supersoldiers' www.bbc.co.uk/nature/16424096 First Earth- sized planets spotted www.bbc.co.uk/news/science- environment- 16268950 Science Daily Now You See It, Now You Didn't: Researchers Cloak a Moment in Time www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120106111312.htm Spotlight on a Scientist The Astrophysicist who discovered radiopulsars - Jocelyn Bell Burnell www.womeninscience.co.uk/bios.php?id=3 Competitions Prove it! Online Video Competition www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/nsew/getinvolved/nsewactivities/proveitcomp.htm The Bloodhound Land Speed Record Attempt If you are interested in speed and engineering, keep tracks on the Bloodhound mission which is aiming to break the Land Speed record this year is certain to be an exciting one for the project! Films and activities available for all interested in science technology, engineering and maths! http://www.bloodhoundssc.com/bloodhound_tv/episode_7_-_bloodhound_the_mission.cfm 4 Sparks Jan 2012
The Living Rainforest - win a trip to Brazil! The Living Rainforest International Schools Essay Competition 2012 has been announced. All students aged up to 16 can enter essays max 650 words Dear Mr. UN Secretary- General to attempt to win a trip to the Rio+20 Earth Summit in Brazil, June 2012! Students are asked to explain what they think governments and world leaders should be doing to build a more sustainable future on planet Earth. See the website www.livingrainforest.org/explore/schools& -debate/ for further information. The school aims to submit a selection of the best essays received in MS Word by 1 st March. Two (maximum) prizewinning students per school will be invited to The Living Rainforest for the national schools debate 17 May. The Royal Society of Chemistry s Bill Bryson Prize win a trip to London and 100 The Royal Society of Chemistry s Bill Bryson Prize is celebrating the Olympics taking place in the UK, with a theme Science and Sport - students from all years are welcome to offer entries! This offers the opportunity to celebrate the role that science and chemistry plays in supporting sport around the world. Boosting a competitor's performance through improved nutrition, ensuring the integrity of competition by uncovering cheats and providing sportsmen and women the latest and most advanced equipment they need to excel, all rely on the uses and applications of chemistry and offer a rich vein of scientific ideas for entrants to explore. www.rsc.org/education/billbryson/index.asp. Students may choose to enter in any format (ranging from PowerPoints to puzzles) demonstrating clear science communication. The school will send selected entries received by 23 rd March. Top prize - a trip to London to receive 100 at an awards ceremony 5 Sparks Jan 2012