It's 'meet the scientist' at Thomas Hardye School (From Thisisdorset)

It's 'meet the scientist' at Thomas Hardye School

10:00am Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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STUDENTS tried their hand at speed science when experts visited the Thomas Hardye School in Dorchester.

Some 400 pupils enjoyed the taster sessions during a Meet the Scientist day in the school hall as part of National Science and Engineering Week.

Twenty-one visiting scientists, postgraduate students and academics set up tables with displays.

Students then had just eight minutes at each point before moving to the next demonstration and talk.

Deputy head Richard Wheal said: “The idea wasn’t for them to explore each area in depth.

“The point was to give them the excitement of working with people who are real scientists.”

The visiting scientists were mostly young professionals from industry or from further education.

The idea of the speed science event – echoing speed dating where people have limited time to talk – was to give students a snapshot of a variety of scientific disciplines.

It also aimed to inspire them by connecting them with young, real life scientists.

Henry Walsh, aged 13, Matthew Stewart, 14, and Yasir Siddig heard about earthquakes and saw the school seismometer in action.

Newly crowned national Young Scientist of the Year Thomas Hearing, who is a Thomas Hardye sixth former, showed them the device.

Henry said: “It was impressive and good that the school has such equipment.”

Yasir added: “The day was interesting. It was a good idea to hold it.”

The fair was one of three events held by the school for the British Science Association’s National Science and Engineering Week from March 12 to 21.

Tables included demonstrations about 3D imagery, crystals, tracking devices, the Cassani space probe, geology, palaeontology, ship engineering, bees and conservation.

Former students Eric Topham, now studying for a MA at Imperial College in London, and Matthew Ashworth, who works for the EADS Astrium aerospace company in Portsmouth, were among the visiting scientists.

Chris Arridge, from University College London, also told students about his work on data from the Cassani space probe.

Sarah Walley, from Wareham-based Biotrack, show pupils how to follow the trails of animals using tags and scanners.

Annie Maklin, aged 13, who tried the device with Lizzy Martin, said: “It was good.

“The whole fair was interesting to find out about the real life of scientists.”