Kes science and tech festival programme 2018

Programme of evening talks and shows open to pupils, parents and friends

Book

at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dobsonkes

This year’s Science and Technology Festival promises three days of inspirational, educational and entertaining talks and workshops for all our pupils over the three days of Monday 25th June to Wednesday 27th June. The full programme can be viewed on the School website so you will be able to see exactly what the pupils will be enjoying during the festival.

In addition, we are taking advantage of the excellent new facilities of the Dobson Theatre to present a programme of evening talks from selected speakers. You are warmly invited to attend as many of these as you wish, either with your child/children or without. The talks are free but tickets need to be booked online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dobsonkes. Early booking is advised.

As you can see in this programme, the talks cover a broad range of topics. We have chosen them to address some recent advances in science and technology in an informative and entertaining manner. All our presenters are well-known in their fields and have wide experience in presenting.

We very much hope to see you in June!

Mind & Brain In The 21st Century Dr Guy Sutton

Science and adventure Huw James

There have been tremendous advances in our understanding of brain function over the past twenty years. But what is current in brain research and what is on the horizon? Which new techniques have thoroughly excited neuroscientists (and often the media) in terms of their potential to aid understanding of the healthy and damaged brain? This presentation considers, amongst other things: the Human Connectome Project research and new brain mapping technologies, neural decoding of nerve impulses and implications for ‘mind reading’, the use of functional brain scanners to assess healthy and damaged brains, the effects of space travel on the brain, computer-brain interfaces and neurobionic implants in amputees and patients with tetraplegia.

This interactive adventure show explores the science and technology behind the Anturus Expeditions. In this hourlong show, we take a look at the most important ideas you need in order to survive an adventure in the outdoors.

We will also look at the sustainability advantages of eating bugs and the nutritional values needed for survival, and how to make sure you are prepared for adventure! Field scientists are some of the best adventurers, and after this engaging science show perhaps you will want to be a science adventurer too. You might even get to eat an insect!

Presenter

Huw’s scientific background is in Astronomy and Geology. He’s been a Science Communicator for over 10 years performing live science shows on six continents worldwide to over 300,000 people. Huw is a qualified mountain leader, a climber and endurance athlete as well as a professional photographer and film maker.

Dr Sutton’s primary research interests are the genetics of neural development and brain function. He is Honorary (Consultant) Assistant Professor in the Division of Psychiatry at University of Nottingham. He has lectured in neuroscience and genetics to a range of undergraduate and postgraduate students, including medics, biologists and psychologists and is involved in outreach and external education work with A level students.In addition to presenting research at various international conferences and writing academic articles, Dr Sutton has talked about the theoretical and clinical aspects of his research on television and radio.

Presenter

The Idiot Brain Dr Dean Burnett

Rock guitar in 11 dimensions Dr Mark Lewney

We’re often told the brain is an amazing, incredible thing, beyond our understanding. And in many ways, it is. But it’s also flawed, inefficient, and just plain weird, which has many weird results for us humans, like motion sickness, sleep disorders, optical illusions, and more. In this presentation, Dr Dean Burnett goes on a whistle stop tour of just how weird and confusing our brains can be, and how a better understanding of neuroscience and psychology can be so helpful in dealing with it all.

What causes the revolutionary, history-changing sound of rock guitar, and how does it help us to understand the nature of the stuff we’re made of?

Famelab winner Mark Lewney explains the physics of rock using riffs from Vivaldi to AC/DC, explains the secret of the Stradivarius, and shows how string vibrations might lie at the heart of the Big Questions about the universe.

Presenter

In this entertaining and mind-expanding lecture, acoustics expert Dr. Lewney explains the physics of vibrations with the help of props as diverse as an air-bazooka, a bullwhip and his custom Ibanez electric guitar through a Marshall amp, turned up loud, with live demonstrations of expert rock guitar playing throughout. Then Dr. Lewney shows how the vibrations of guitar strings might be applied to the particles we’re all made of, but with a twist: the strings vibrate in extra dimensions! Charming stories and mind-bending animations are used to try to get the audience to think in 4-, 5- or even 11-D. This introduction to Superstring Theory shares the wonder and excitement of such grand scale, cutting edge physics and maths.

Dr Dean Burnett is the author of the international bestseller The Idiot Brain, and the eagerly anticipated follow-up The Happy Brain (published May 3rd). He is a neuroscientist and a stand-up comedian and is based at the Institute of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences at Cardiff University. His Guardian Science blog, Brain Flapping, has been viewed over 11 million times in the last two years and has been praised by many, from Lauren Laverne to Professor Brian Cox.

“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician.

I often think in music.

I Live my daydreams in music.

I see my life in terms of music.”

Presenter Dr Lewney has appeared on Radio 4’s Material World as a guitar expert, on BBC’s Newsnight as a “physics evangelist” and on CBBC’s Xchange! as the “Rock Doctor”, being introduced as a cross between Einstein and Jimi Hendrix. He also appeared in a BBC Money Programme special on patents and inventions, entitled Britain’s Brilliant Ideas Boom, and on the ONE show, both broadcast last November.

Mark’s Institute of Physics Tour was featured in the Guardian’s music section, and the highs and lows of the Tour were the focus of a Physics World article in July 2009.

The Misuse of Hormones in Sport and Leisure Richard Holt

Fireworks – real science or just bangs?

Matthew Tosh

When humans are placed in a competitive setting, particularly the sporting arena, they will strive to gain an advantage over their opponent in order to win. When all legitimate methods have been exhausted and the athlete has reached their peak performance, some are tempted to use drugs to improve performance yet further. Doping scandals have blighted modern sport and not only damage the integrity of sport but may cause significant harm to athletes who use performance enhancing drugs.

The earliest records of doping in sport come from ancient times but with the advent of modern medicine and drug development in the 19th century, the number and quantity of drugs used to improve strength and overcome fatigue have increased dramatically.

This lecture will examine how hormones have been misused in sport. Both the potential benefits and side effects will be discussed. Finally the procedures that allow athletes who need to take hormones for medical reasons, such as insulin in diabetes, will be described.

Explore the colourful and explosive world of pyrotechnics as Matthew deconstructs the STEM behind firework displays. He’ll demonstrate how to create colours, different sound effects, shock waves and perfectly timed bursts in time to music, whilst ensuring that displays are safe. Featuring shock waves, forces, energy pathways, electricity, flames, sparks, smoke effects and real indoor fireworks, this is an exciting and dramatic show that will guarantee to have the audience on the edge of their seats.

Presenter Professor Richard Holt is Professor in Diabetes and Endocrinology within Medicine at the University of Southampton. He trained at the University of Cambridge and the London Hospital Medical College. He completed a PhD on the growth hormone – insulin-like growth factor axis in childhood liver disease. He was appointed as Senior Lecturer in Endocrinology & Metabolism at the University of Southampton in May 2000, was promoted to Reader in March 2006 and became Professor in Diabetes and Endocrinology in September 2008.

His current research interests are broadly focused around clinical diabetes and endocrinology. These encompass studies of the relationship between mental illness on diabetes and the psychosocial aspects of diabetes. He also has interests in the physiology of growth hormone and has worked to develop a test for growth hormone abuse in sport.

Presenter Matthew Tosh is a pyrotechnician who has worked behind the scenes of firework displays and live performances for over twelve years. He is a physics graduate, former teacher and TV presenter and has always been fascinated by how things work. He splits his time between live event work and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) engagement in schools and festivals across the country. His live stage shows about fireworks and special effects have been a huge hit with all age ranges and his work has become internationally recognised by the global fireworks industry.

Book

at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/dobsonkes