Mind reading, evolution, star power and the SRS - new public programme launches at STFC Daresbury Laboratory

Members of the public can keep up to date with the latest exciting developments in science and find out about how it affects their everyday lives through a new series of free public lectures at STFC Daresbury Laboratory.

Whether your interest is in how you can cheat at reading other people’s minds, climate change, artificial intelligence or human evolution, an entertaining and interactive talk that brings science to life awaits.

The new calendar of public lectures launches this Friday (18 September) with a special lecture about the history and legacy of the Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS) and how a very simple idea for a photon super microscope was put into practice by ‘borrowing’ time on a much larger machine designed to study the atomic nucleus. These early experiments were so successful that funding was awarded to build the SRS which subsequently ran for 28 years only closing its doors to scientists for the last time in 2008.

During its two million hours of science, the SRS has advanced research into diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer’s and malaria; been used to produce new drugs and materials, cleaner fuels and lower emissions from car exhausts, safer aircraft, better tasting chocolate; as well as to conserve historic artefacts such as the Mary Rose. Tickets for this one-off lecture are still available and can be booked on 01925 603040.

Other lectures in the coming months will explore the science behind how mind-reading skills can be developed from maths; how the power of the stars could be used as a future energy source on Earth; how the basic building blocks which make up the Universe are investigated using particle physics and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Geneva; and how forensic archaeology and anthropology are helping to solve global atrocity crimes such as genocide. Scientists will also spark debate and give demonstrations as they explore questions and issues such as sustainability, artificial intelligence and whether human evolution is over using everything from contemporary Hollywood films to the humble fish finger.

Tony Buckley, Head of Science in Society at Daresbury Laboratory said: “"We live in a world that is surrounded by science. It is in every part of our lives and is always in the news, but all too frequently no-one actually tells us what it is, what it means and what the consequences might be. The Daresbury Laboratory ‘Talking Science’ lectures give everyone a chance to engage with science and technology, to learn about the latest news and issues, ask experts questions and discuss what they think about it all. They're a 21st century salon of science to which everyone is invited."

Tickets for STFC Daresbury Laboratory's popular 'Talking Science' lectures are free. Bookings for each lecture open one month prior to the event. Tickets must be booked in advance and run out fast - so make a note in your diary to avoid disappointment. The full programme of lectures can be found online (link opens in a new window). For more information and to book tickets please contact Science in Society on 01925 603040.

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Notes to Editors

Contacts

• Karen Coles
  Press officer
  STFC Daresbury Laboratory and Knowledge Exchange
  Tel: +44 (0)1925 603232
  
  
• Tony Buckley
  Head of Communications and Science in Society
  Daresbury Laboratory
  Tel: +44 (0)1925 603272

Further information

1. As well as its popular public lectures programme, STFC’s Science in Society team at Daresbury Laboratory organises a wide range of other outreach events to engage the public in science including: an ongoing programme of school lectures and master classes for children and young people aged between 7 and 18; Star Parties that enable young people to study the stars and planets; the annual BA Mini Science Festival which takes place on 4 October this year; and the STARLab facility which is taken into local schools to teach primary school children about astronomy and geology.

2. The 2009/10 lecture programme at Daresbury Laboratory is outlined below. Please note that admission to all lectures is free, lectures start at 7pm and that bookings for each session open one month before the event.

23 October 2009
Is human evolution over?
Professor Steve Jones
Age 16+

Many people, from the Ancient Greeks to the present day, feel that the human race is in decline. That notion was, for those who believed it, given fresh impetus by the publication of The Origin of Species exactly a century ago. I, in contrast, will argue that we now know so much about the process of evolution that led to Homo sapiens that we can make some educated guesses about what might happen in the biological future - which, in fact, looks remarkably similar to that of today.

20 November 2009
How we got to the Moon
Jerry Stone
Age 12+

In 1969, one of mankind’s greatest dreams became a reality when Apollo 11 landed the first men on the Moon. We are currently planning a return to the Moon – almost 50 years after the last man stood on its surface. How was this remarkable achievement originally attained? Here is a chance to hear how mankind flew to the Moon, from someone who lived through the incredible experience. A highly visual presentation featuring original NASA images and video. 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the First Men on the Moon. Celebrate it in a way that you won’t forget!

Christmas lectures
3 December 2009
Sustainability Show
Rob Wix
Age 7+

The Sustainability Show is packed with information and demonstrations that cover climate change, the greenhouse effect, food miles, recycling, carbon footprints and consumer choice. Environmental issues are revealed using everything from contemporary Hollywood films to the humble fish finger. Think you're saving the planet? Think again!

Christmas lectures
4 December 2009
Now Hear This
Rob Wix
Age 7+

‘Now hear this!’ is an interactive science show that demonstrates music technology in a way never heard before. Rob Wix is an accomplished presenter and musician, having written and produced music for television, radio and Edinburgh Festival comedians. During the show he reveals the science of sound, the waves, the vibrations and how sound travels. Using the latest computer and keyboard technology Rob explores the sounds of computer games, mobile phones and even the voices in the audience. Volunteers can try out mixing, recording and having their voices rearranged with some very peculiar results!

29 January 2010
Cosmic dust in the atmosphere: shooting stars, metal layers and ice clouds
Dr John Plane
Age 16+

About 50 tonnes of interplanetary dust enters the earth’s atmosphere every day. Most of this dust comes from comets: these large “dirty” ice balls evaporate as they approach the sun, producing a trail of dust. The other source is the asteroid belt between Mars and the giant planets.

26 February 2010 Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology and the Investigation of Atrocity Crimes
Professor Margaret Cox
Age 16+

The use of archaeological and anthropological skills in the context of the investigation of crime is now well established in the UK and elsewhere. Over the last two decades, these skills have increasingly been applied worldwide in the context of such crimes as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. This presentation will provide an introduction to this subject and demonstrate how archaeology continues to be of relevance in the context of restorative justice and reconstruction.

26 March 2010
Particle Physics and the LHC
Professor Fred Loebinger
Age 16+

Scientists have long been attempting to find the basic building blocks which make up the Universe. This quest has prompted the development of large particle accelerators, and has reached the strange sub-nuclear world of quarks, gluons and leptons. The talk will give an insight into the development of the subject, with a particular bias to the prominent part played by Manchester scientists. The latest discoveries, the promise of the LHC at CERN and pointers to the future will also be reviewed.

30 April 2010
How to Cheat at Mind-Reading
Rob Eastaway
Age 12+

From Uri Geller to Derren Brown, mind-reading has been captivating the public for generations. But some of the most mysterious 'mind-reading' of all comes from the world of maths. Rob demonstrates (and then explains) some of his favourite mathematical mind-reading tricks, some of which date back to the time of Leonardo da Vinci.

28 May 2010
Fusion Star Power
Dr Kate Lancaster
Age 16+

Dr Kate Lancaster will lead us into the world of fusion, how it was responsible for life on earth, and how scientists plan to harness the incredible power of the stars as a future energy source here on earth.

25 June 2010
The mind of the machine: Artificial intelligence
Dr Paul Curzon
Age 12+

We all know the movie plot, evil robots and computers taking over the world, but what is the reality? This talk looks at artificial intelligence research, the field of science that tries to build 'thinking machines'. How are they built? What can they do? And, as importantly, what can't they do? We will also ask some interesting questions about a particularly well-known 'thinking machine', you!

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