Fancy learning about space science, making protein jelly, and lighting up a few LED circuits – all before you enjoy tea and cake?
An event at the University of Warwick this weekend (Sunday 8 March) will allow visitors to do just that. To celebrate British Science Week and mark International Womens' Day, Warwick's female researchers and students will be hosting A Slice of Science, offering the public the chance to enjoy a whole range of activities, demonstrations and talks which showcase Warwick's female-led research in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
Professor Sandra Chapman from Warwick's department of physics said: "We want to inspire a new wave of girls and women to engage with STEM subjects by bringing hands on learning opportunities to all ages.
"A Slice of Science is a free event which will enable children and adults from across the region to engage in some of the real life, fascinating and fun science research programmes that are happening on their doorstep, all led by women who are space scientists, biochemists, programmers, statisticians and more. We are hoping to show girls – and women – a real range of jobs in science that they may never have thought they could do."
Amanda Bishop, widening participation coordinator for Warwick's Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine, organised the event. She said: "There aren't many places you can discuss space weather over a slice of Victoria sponge, or programme a computer before you enjoy a scone, so why not bring your mum, aunty, daughter or granddaughter for a full-on science experience and enjoy afternoon tea while you're here?"
During the day there will be a range of drop-in activities run by scientists and students from departments including computer science, life sciences, engineering, WMG and Warwick Medical School. There will also be three fascinating talks taking place:
- How to Freeze a Human, with Dr Kathryn Murray from Chemistry
- Madam Statistician and the Normal Distribution, with Dr Celia Brown, from Warwick Medical School
- Space Superstorms with Professor Sandra Chapman, from Physics
