Chemistress

TEDxSalford

2012-01-27T13:31:00.000-08:00

As this is my first post of 2012 I first of all want to wish you all a very happy, healthy and productive new year xxx I am insanely excited about attending my first ever TED conference tomorrow! In case you are not aware of these wonderfully, inspiring and innovative events TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. Check them out on Twitter and Facebook. Anyway I am so pleased to have the opportunity to be going to a TED conference, it is one local to me: TEDxSalford, starting at 10am though we are to be there from 9am and finishing at 8pm although it may continue abit longer. I will be back with all of the glorious details as I'm planning on taking notes of each talk. I just can't wait to have this experience and to discover the identity of the mystery NASA astronaut! Here is one of there Facebook pages.

http://www.facebook.com/events/280651658652649/

I hope to see some familair faces and chat to some interesting people xxx

Manchester science Festival 2011: day7

2011-11-13T13:09:00.000-08:00

So it is the last day already. Of course I enjoyed myself but felt a little sad. I think we all did. It has certainly gone too fast! Again I did the evening session at MOSI. It was entitled Dr Sketchy's Sketchorama and went on until 10pm I think. Andy and I left at 9pm. It was an awesome event with many participants and described as life drawing with a science twist. Naturally. I really enjoyed it and was responsible for signing people in. Again we had a bar but it wasn't as good as fridays ;). Just usual beer this time. We had some magnificent cupcakes though. Compliments to the baker for those. First up on stage was a familiar face. One David Price, award winning Science communicator whom I remember being 'Mr Maths' last year. He also used to be the host of Didsbury Science bar. One minute he was dressed in a suit and the next he looked like a sumo wrestler. He was demonstrating an objects centre of mass/gravity. Then the drawing began. a 50 year old body builder posed in many ways and the audience had only one minute to draw each pose. It looked like fun but I hadn't brought any drawing materials with me. However, I did notice the MOSI managers joining in, talented they were too. In fact it looks like this event drew the right crowd, no pun intended! I don't really understand the significance of the skeleton either even if tomorrow night is halloween. The next act was a contortionist from Britain's got talent apparently! It was time to go home though for Andy and me, so all done and dusted for another year. What a way to finish, thanks MOSI! XXX

Manchester science Festival 2011: day5

2011-11-12T15:28:00.000-08:00

Today Friday I did the evening session at MOSI. I have to confess that I didn't feel the best as we went to the Didsbury Beer festival lastnight, for the first time! Feeling sad as this is my penultimate event but everyone entered into the spirit of things and had a fab time. This event was called Spacetacular and that it truly was. I greeted people and encouraged them to visit the bar and dress up. Its great to see people joining in and there was alot of tin foil and glitter involved. There were bottles of festival ale and cocktails but I wasn't up to that. It was £5 a bottle but they all sold out! The first half of the night took place over the road in the power hall. Researchers to mingle with and talk too, a planetarium show and a caravan with a guy talking about Carl Sagan. I would've liked to see that myself but I did see some nice costumes.The second half was going on until 9pm so I didn't see it all. As I was saying goodbye to the lovely young lady on the desk, a familiar face popped up. His name escapes me but I must have met him last year. He was wearing a boiler suit and a black curly wig and had told me earlier that he liked dressing up lol. Anyway we wanted his picture taken with me which I thought was really sweet. We did see a fabulous astrophysics student named Jen Gupta doing a spot of stand up about Star wars. She was dressed as an imperial trooper including mask. I have a friend who would approve of that but to me the ultimate scifi movie is Blade Runner. Then a guy came on talking about his work making satelite parts. A lovely evening.

Manchester science Festival 2011: day4

2011-11-12T14:54:00.000-08:00

I spent the day at the Manchester Museum on Oxford Road working with another lovely volunteer by the name of Amena which she told me is israeli for trustworthy which is nice. The theme there this year is Egyptology. Setting up the crafts aspect this year was certainly quicker than in previous years! The kids were making pyramids. We directed people around the museum and then filled in evaluation forms. The afternoons event was awesome, we helped out in a class after lunch wich involved mummifying oranges. Good messy fun for kids of all ages. Alas we were not allowed to take pictures of that but I look forward to the teacher putting up pictures on her website. Don't worry, no toxic chemicals involved, and so one is allowed to take ones mummies home. I aim to try one myself when I have time.

Manchester Science Festival 2011:Day 3

2011-11-12T14:13:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, day3, at least for me, though officially it is day 5. I spent the whole day at University of Bolton. It was such a fun day where we made a periodic table out of rich tea biscuits, icing sugar and sprinkles. I worked with a lovely lady named Beth and it was great to visit this university. I think we all had fun! I took plenty of photo's of this.

Manchester Science Festival 2011:Day 2

2011-11-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

Tuesday. Today I did the afternoon and evening sessions. I spent a lovely chemistry filled afternoon in the Power Hall at MOSI. I helped a lovely young scientist by the name of Declan who had come up from the University of Bristol. He had a beautiful molymod with him of crystal violet lactone but more on that later. First of all he was to do a demo outside which illustrates the different properties fuels have and why chemists look at this when making fuels for different applications. As he was setting this up my job was to try and encourage people to come along and to make sure they stood well back. It was easy to entice people, in fact no effort at all. I think the large safety screen might have something to do with it as this clearly indicates the possibility of explosives :) When ready he mixed some sodium carbide with water and lit it. It burned with a yellow flame leaving soot i.e carbon behind. I know this is not a hot flame! Next we have some methanol in a large plastic container which burn't with a blue flame. It was quite difficult to see but it was there. This is a hot flame. There was also a large hot chocolate tin which we watched intently and shot up in the air with a bang but I can't recall what gas that was. Finally he had 2 small bottles of liquid methane but they failed to ignite after being filled in bristol and travelling to Manchester. The crowd were thrilled, it was awesome. Once indoors, he had 2 amazing desktop demo's to show us. One was a small sealed tube of a supercritical fluid* Sulfur hexafluoride. He heated it in hot water, it vaporised and then condensed back into a liquid. Nothing great about that you maybe thinking but then he produced another sealed tube of the same size which had more of this stuff inside of it. After heating it produced a quite visible mist. He described this as beautiful. Next was my favourite demo, the above mentioned lactone which is a derivative of the indicator crystal violet lactone. He blew purple bubbles with it which wowed the kids, and was very pretty and deliberately got some of it on himself and the table.When asked of course the kids said yes the problem is it stains. Then an amazing thing happened. He rubbed his skin and the table with his index finger and the colour disappeared, not a trace left! He explained that it is of course still there and we must remember this as it is very toxic. He then explained using the molymod that the just one tweek/movement within the structure causes this to happen. He refered to this as the 'mousetrap' in which the lactone part of the molecule readily moves one of the 3 rings out of alignment. The molecule wants this to happen and it does so when friction is applied to the structure. Like rubbing it for instance. It is no longer absorbing visible light but absorbs in the UV region. So we humans can no longer see it. There are as yet no applications for this but Declan said that it may have possible uses in security. For detecting fingerprints on stolen paper money I would guess. At 3pm the outdoor demo near the train tracks was repeated but alas still no joy with the methane in a bottle. Then the indoor demos were repeated. Thanks for a funtime Declan, I did learn something. Then I had my break. I was very thirsty and hungry at this point. The evening event I was sent to with another volunteer (who was lovely but I can't recall her name :() took place at the Whitworth Art Gallery. I was very happy about this as it is on my way home. We were packed off with a lunch bag and had a fun evening sitting at a desk booking people in. There were 2 speakers though we only stayed for the first one who was a scientist talking about all things biology. I remember her saying that we are all amazing. I like this, we are unique too. She had a gift for us all, a box was passed around for us all to select a colourful butterfly made from acetate. She spoke of and showed us a DNA installation she had installed somewhere. There was a fun installation still open in the gallery, 2 screens made of silk and we could see ourselves on it. Of course we look strange. A most enjoyable day I went home happy.

DAY 1, Science Festival

2011-10-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

Actually, it is day 3 but today was my first day as a STEM Ambassador this year, monday 24.10.11. It was a fun day and I spent all of it on the info desk second floor. There were a couple of chemistry events going on but I never got the opportunity to see them. The theme for us was computing and we had a chance to look around before the doors opened at 10am. The BBC events were fantastic especially being on a tv screen and then covering yourself up with a sheet which makes you appear invisible. It works with green and as our t-shirts are green it worked with them too, great fun! Also possible to conduct a classical orchestra and dance to given steps. Outside of this room, was a robot demo, some outdated pc's being repaired and then sent to schools in Africa which I think is awesome. Also some 3D objects to look at on screen and augmented reality with Marvin the paranoid android sitting on a sofa. Also one room had a programming for beginners sessions going on and there were 2 computer related talks today. Around 1.45pm there was a fire alarm which unfortunately disrupted things abit and we had a fire drill first thing when we arrived. When I say we, I only saw 3 volunteers today including myself :( Just 2 of us there for the whole day but I do sincerely hope that no more drop out and I get to meet new volunteers. It would be nice to see old faces too though I have the memories. I managed to take a few photo's of todays events and I lookforward tomorrow when I am working the afternoon session and then doing my first ever evening one. I'll report on this afterwards xxx

Manchester Science Festival 2011!

2011-10-21T13:37:00.000-07:00

Well its that time of year again, and I am excited to resurrect my role as a STEM Ambassador at this years festival. It all begins tomorrow saturday 22nd October for 9 days until 30th October. I am even more excited as 2011 is the International Year of Chemistry so I anticipate that there will be an abundance of chemistry events at this festival :) Looking forward to being involved, seeing the STEM Management team and also working with old faces and new. It will be fab as ever. Here is this years festival programme:

http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/

Personally I am involved in this from Monday onwards, but will no doubt visit MOSI over the weekend myself. Anyway, whenever, I hope to see you there. Lets have fun! xxx

I wonder what the periodic table looked like in the year that I was born?

2011-08-09T09:21:00.000-07:00

Or to put it another way I wonder how many elements have been discovered since I've been around? That is, since 1969. You may remember as, its only 2 years ago that back in 2009, a new element was discovered and named. This was element 112 which after due consideration IUPAC decided to give the name Copernicium with the symbol Cn. This year 2 new elements 114 and 116 were found to exist. IUPAC say that this is now official and that they are currently trying to name them. Interestingly only the name of dead scientists can be used. Anybody got any ideas who they would like the elements to be named after? ;) This is of course what got me wondering what the periodic table looked like in 1969. After abit of research it seems that element #105 Dubnium was discovered in 1967 in USSR. This is a transition metal whose origin was to be found at the Joint Institute for nuclear research at Dubna. So this is what the Periodic Table looked like in 1969

As you can see this means that 43 elements have been discovered since then. That averages out at more than one a yr! Care to share what it looked like in the year YOU were born?

Vitamin D

2011-04-26T14:59:00.000-07:00

Back in February I had my regular blood test as usual. The lovely nurse, whom I usually see, told me that due to low light levels in Manchester, many people here often have vitamin D deficiency. I thought this was an interesting fact and strange I hadn't known about or heard about it before. Then, by sheer coincidence the results of my blood test revealed that I am indeed currently deficient in vitamin D. I thought this was an interesting fact and strange I hadn't known about or heard about it before. (Do I think my nurse is clairevoyant, lol,hell no!). I find this so hard to believe, now in April given the heatwave we are going through and the fact I have been out running in it everyday. I thought it would be nice to research and write a post on this vitamin just touching on its chemistry. I, myself, only knew what most people generally know I think, without looking anything up. That is, it is made in the skin when it is exposed to UV light. Deficiency among other things can produce brittle bones. Not good news for me since I recently ran the Brighton marathon. This is about as much as I knew about it anyway. It is a fat soluble vitamin, and in the skin, 7-dehydrocholesterol, a derivative of cholesterol is photolysed by UV light producing previtamin D3. The biologically active form being known as calcitrol. When synthesised in the kidney's it regulates among other things, the conc of calcium and phosphate in the bloodstream thus promoting the healthy mineralisation, growth and remodelling of bone. There are several types collectively, known as calciferol. I seem to be taking vitamin D3 or cholecalciferol. Chemically, the various forms of vitamin D are secosteroids i.e. steroids in which one of the bonds in the steriod rings is broken.The structural difference between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 is in their side chains. The side chain of D2 contains a double bond between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3 is in their side. The side chain of D2 contains a double bond between carbons 22 and 23, a methyl group on carbon 24. It is a derivative of ergosterol, a membrane sterol and is produced by some organisms of phytoplankton, invertebrates and fungi in response to uv irradiation, D2 is not produced by land plants or vertebrates.
I found the following history interesting. The photosynthesis , of vitamin D evolved over 750 million years ago and played a critical role in the maintenance of a calcified skeleton in vertebrates as they left their calcium-rich ocean enviroment for land over 350 million years ago.

Vitamin D can only be synthesised via a photochemical process so early vertebrates that ventured onto land either had to go ingest foods that contained vitamin D because melanin in the skin hinders vitamin D synthesis.
One of the most important roles of vitamin D is to maintain skeletal calcium balance by promoting calcium absorption in the intestines, promoting bone resorption by increasing the osteoclast numbers, maintaining calcium and phosphate levels for bone formation, and allowing proper functioning of parathyroid hormone to maintain serum calcium levels. Historically, vitamin D3 was used to treat tb patients but has not been adequately investigated in controlled clinical trials.
Interestingly, vitamin D3 has also shown some anti-hiv -1 effects in vitro , including the induction of autophagy. In an epidemiological study of hiv positive women in tanzania, there appeared to be a correlation between reduced levels of vitamin D and speed of hiv disease progression. It is important to note that this still needs confirmation. To get deep into the chemistry, please look at this link

http://www.chem.qmul.ac.uk/iupac/misc/D.html

Marathon update

2011-04-25T12:43:00.000-07:00

I know that this isn't the right blog for this lol but I feel its worth mentioning since I mentioned it in my previous post ;)

Back home in Manchester now after my adventure in Brighton,and I did think of it as an adventure. Alot hillier than I expected but so much to do.Brighton Rocks!Gorgeous view of the sea and the pier from our hotel and I got to see a fair bit of the place on my run. Fantastic to meet Joe at last and her lovely other half and sweet daughter. We all spent a wonderful evening together. Thank you very much to Joe and Starfish for the most beautiful t-shirt ever I wore it with pride and it is rather salty now but I shall wash it gently and put it in my treasure trove. Well I did it, I completed a marathon and although it didn't go exactly according to plan I am very happy to have done this. I thoroughly enjoyed the run,the atmos was terrific as it always is at these events I was doing brilliantly, I was running well and was making good time for the first half, 13 miles. Then at mile 15 developed pain in the back of my left leg,this got progressively worse throughout both of my legs with the odd twinge of cramp. I knew what it was straight away, salt depletion and I knew I would be walking most of the rest of the way by mile 21 I couldn't run at all and my fingers had all swollen up so I went to the nearby paramedics who gave me a couple of salty drinks then I was on my way again,keeping my hands in the air as advised. I managed to run the last 50 metres over the finish line to lots of cheers. Got unexpectedly emotional because after all my training, efforts etc I had hoped to do this in 4.5 hours not the full 6.Britain has been in a heatwave this past week and I just cannot run in the sun, just as I struggle to swim in warm water.All has to be cool-ish for me. However I did it and got my medal damn it! There were some poor souls worse off than me. My fingers were normal size again by 8.30 ish after a meal. Thanks to our lovely hotel staff for putting on an early breakfast for us. Thanks to Joe and her family for coming along to meet and support me. I hope your journey home was fine and didn't take too long. Thank you to everyone who has sponsored and supported me, it really does mean alot to me and does make a difference. At mile 16 a lady with a tannoy stopped me and gave a shout out for Starfish So thats phase 1 complete, now for the more important phase 2,collecting sponsorship. So now I'm at the recovery and rebuilding of the body stage. Lots of rest, fluids and sleep.
        You can visit our Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Sarah-and-Joes-Brighton-Marathon-April-2011/120777117978635
  To see an example of the      inititaives our fundraising helps, please visit Starfish   here:

http://www.rutgerhauer.org/rutgerhauer.org/adoption/ldaproject.php
  Thank you so much for sponsoring me, I look forward to hearing from you in the   future. We do make a difference together. To do so please go to the page entitled ‘Sponsoring me’ http://sarahstracks.webplus.net/page25.html

One month to go...

2011-03-10T00:48:00.000-08:00

This isn't exactly science but its something close to my heart which I am very proud of doing. Today is the 10th March, which means it is exactly 1 month until I run in the Brighton marathon to raise much needed funds for The Rutger Hauer Starfish Association. It is also my birthday 1 month after this event. Please consider giving me an early present by sponsoring me ♥ you can do this safely online by visiting my website. I certainly do appreciate it and would also love it if you left a comment in my guestbook. Have a fab day and thank you! xxx

http://sarahstracks.webplus.net/index.html

So you want to be a STEM Ambassador?

2011-02-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

I have been a STEM Ambassador since September 2009 and it is a decision I am very pleased to have made. I love it! It is such fun and you get to meet fellow enthusiastic like minded people. I think it is also a great networking tool and a nice way to make new friends. A STEM Ambassador is essentially a science communicator and to find out more about this initiative and to sign up to become an ambassador yourself, please visit their website www.stemnet.org.uk Do you have what it takes to inspire people about STEM subjects and to dispel myths and stereotypes which people still believe? I became a STEM Ambassador because it sounded fun and exciting which it is. I thought it would present me with opportunities which it has. Let me give you an example. In January 2010 I was interviewed for a US radio station about the STEM Ambassador program and how it could be implemented across the pond. I have also met and worked with some wonderful people and I hope to work with them again. Another reason was to hone my skills at communicating science to non-scientists as I feel I need to improve in this area. What a nice way to acquire a new skill. When I first started we were told that there were 11k ambassadors in the UK and that the goal was to have 27k by 2012. The fabulous news I recieved this month is that that goal has now been surpassed already. Of course the more the merrier and this can only enhance the diversity of experience available to faciliate STEM initiatives and inspire future scientists. On a personal note last monday I attended the Didsbury Scibar as I do every month. This time the speaker was from the University of Manchester Dr Paul Walmsley talking about low temperature physics. In the not too distant future I may well be the chairperson for this event.

International Year of Chemistry

2011-01-27T01:56:00.000-08:00

I can't believe that it is the end of January already. I guess things have kicked off regarding chemistry at some places in the world and it can only continue, and get better! Today marks the opening ceremony for the international year of chemistry, in Paris. Here are some interesting and useful links

Tomorrow, January 27th, the opening ceremony for the International Year of Chemistry will be held in Paris, at the UNESCO HQ

http://bit.ly/dZ4MCH

To watch the Program, please click on:

http://bit.ly/dZ4MCH

To watch the Launch Ceremony live, please click on one of the following links:

Floor – mms://stream.unesco.org/live/room_1_floor.wmv

English – mms://stream.unesco.org/live/room_1_en.wmv

French – mms://stream.unesco.org/live/room_1_fr.wmv

and this is just the beginning of a very exciting year !!!

Yesterday saw the opening of a new gallery at MOSI (Museum of science and Industry) and the ribbon was cut by Manchester's very own Prof. Brian Cox. It's a pity that I only got 20 minutes notice about this on my Twitter feed lol otherwise I would've headed over there before work to meet him and ask him to sign my copy of his book. Ah well, such is life, c'est La vie. I hope there will be future chances for this to happen when the Prof is at home long enough ;) Take care all, and enjoy 2011

Merry Christmas everyone!

2010-12-27T07:02:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had a good one. It was a quiet affair for us this year remembering 2 people we've lost. As its my favourite season I made the best of it. As there was still a substantial amount of snow and the ground and it was everywhere I consider this a successful white xmas. Back home now and looking forward to the new year and New Year's Eve when we will be seeing Queen WWRY musical. I can hardly wait for that. I just want to wish you all a happy healthy and prosperous 2011. Thank you for reading. I hope you have some great plans for the day/evening and some great resolutions too. As 2011 is the International year of Chemistry I'm hoping it is going to be a good one for me professionally. Keeping me busy and hopefully presenting me with lots of great opportunities. Lots of love from Sarah xxx

Day 9

2010-12-22T08:45:00.001-08:00

31^st October. Sadly this means it is the last day of the science festival for this year. It has been a full and fun week, enjoyed by one and all. I was Maths busking in the air and space hall for most of the morning. My chosen busk for today was the tying a knot in the scarf trick. I seemed to spend most of yesterday handcuffed to Katie but today I was with Duncan. He did the mind reading birthday trick. Around mid morning was a steam engine demo and we stopped to watch that. A very amusing guy who asked questions of the kids in the audience. The demo included 2 coke cans filled with hot water to show the power of steam. They were crushed. I was impressed by this and think it will be something I remember from this festival. At 2.30pm I helped Duncan assisted an event he had helped on earlier. A workshop given by a lady from Imperial College London. This was called ‘Through the looking glass’. Different shapes were built from plastic models and viewed at various angles through homemade kaleidoscopes. Then it ws time to go home, its all over L I went to collect my things and most other people had gone home. Carolyn presented me with a gift bag containing a bottle of red wine. A sweet note on it thanked me for all I’d done from the MOSI team. I was very touched and hadn’t expected this. Thanks very much! xxx Duncan and I chatted with the mathematicians who were keen to recruit more buskers and invited us for a drink. So we joined them in a nearby pub for coffee. I met Bubblz the maths clown at last aka Caroline and a familiar face started speaking to me. I realised it was a guy I’d seen in costume dressed up as mathematician John Dee. His real name is Costel and he lives near me so we exchanged email addresses as you do. These maths people never switch off. They had to travel back to London and be at work the next day, some had written prep to do for this and he they were surrounded by luggage talking about maths and looking rather comfortable. It was truly wonderful to meet and work with all of thse lovely and skilled people during the course of these 9 days. I shall miss it and thus hope to do it again next year. I looked forward to the xmas do which of course has now passed. I hope everyone is well and wish them luck in all they do if I don’t see them again. XXX

Day 8

2010-12-22T08:18:00.001-08:00

Saturday 30^th October. This morning saw the beginning of a largely maths themed weekend and I sent most of it at maths busking. This took place in the air and space hall of MOSI. We were briefed by 2 experienced maths buskers Rufus and Katie who had come all the way from Oxford University. Maths is my weakest subject, so I was abit apprehensive though I needn’t have worried. One of the busks we did was the rope/handcuffs one so at least there was one ‘trick’ I could do. We also challenged people to put a knot in their scarves without letting go of it with their hands. There was also the turning your waistcoast inside out whilst handcuffed. That’s a neat trick and I needed bit of practice. Like most things, its easy when you know how. We made emergency pentagons from strips of paper and read people’s mind telling them their birthdays. I still have that card with all the numbered boxes on. I can do it, but didn’t memorise any of the number sequences like my fellow buskers did! You can find out all about maths busking from this link
http://www.mathsbusking.com/
I was back science busking in MOSI in the afternoon. One of the STEM managers made we laugh by asking how I was so alert and full of energy after all this time. Funny because I felt like a zombie and thought I must’ve looked like one too. Bless her! The penultimate day and so I’m feeling a little sad anyhow. Before we went home today we were treated to the 4D theatre which was fantastic, I had fun there too. Two 20 minute animated films are showing, we saw one called pirates in the museum. Of course we had to wear special glasses to feel the effects and feel them we certainly did. Our chairs moved around at angles to the movement of the characters onscreen. We had a couple of blasts of air. One squirt of water on our faces. Crabs or whatever nibbling at our angles and finally bubbles coming out of the screen. It was difficult to tell wether these were real or onscreen and I was sat at the back. Like everyone else I put my hand out to feel them and oped one. So real then. Alas no photo’s from today.

Day 7

2010-12-22T05:07:00.001-08:00

Friday 29^th October. Today I was at MOSI, all day busking. Firstly upstairs in the lobby and it did get quite busy. After lunch they wanted us to busk downstairs to try and get people in. Somehow that didn’t happen, we were happy doing it upstairs were it was warmer and we saw enough people. It was quite overwhelming sometimes! During lunch we met Seth, a maths busker, who showed us a few tricks. All in all a fairly quiet day. It seems that way as the festival will soon be over :(

This evening it was time for us to revisit The Briton’s Protection and revisit a talk I really enjoyed last year and found rather quirky. You’ll see why after this description lol. It was called ‘Drinking up Time’ and takes us an a time travelling adventure to explore the scientific understandings of alcohol, since 1600. Dr James Sumner of Manchester University meets Newton, Davy and others to do this aided by his time machine which is of course a wine box! There were a few changes this year and the time machine now has flashing lights. A lighthearted hilarious talk I’d encourage everyone to see if they get the chance. Enjoy these pix. I did try to capture the wine machine.

Day 6 Manchester Science Festival 2010

2010-12-21T10:50:00.000-08:00

Thursday 28^th October. I was at the Manchester Museum, Oxford Road again today, the whole day this time. My contact is the same lady I met last year and I remember her because of her funny name. She, however, didn’t seem to remember me. This years theme at the museum is Chinese Technology. I enjoyed working with 2 other Ambassadors this time, the very quiet, young asian named Ashwin and Becky who likes to get stuck into things. We were told there would be a talk about the history of the museum at 12,30pm and one of us would need to evaluate that. I volunteered though felt a bit mean because I think one of the others should have done it as I had that experience already on Tuesday. However I got picked to do this, probably because I know what to do. Anyway we helped to set up our event which was about silk worms and given a crash course. So we were silk worm experts for the day. There were arts and crafts for the kids to do. They could either make a silk moth or a silk gown. We helped cut out the shapes using a template so that there were plenty of each. Didn’t want to disappoint any of the kids. Two of us, one who was always me lol sat at a small desk near the entrance. We had pictures of the life cycle of the silk moth to talk to the kids about as well as a small glass case containing all the stages of a silk moth from eggs to moth. I learned a few things myself, and the kids seemed genuinely impressed. It was very interesting. The worms can only grow to a maximum of 3mm and their entire diet consists of just one leaf! Their cocoon is composed of the silk and once they have emerged as a moth the cocoon is submerged into water and drawn out as a thread. It is awesome. We have samples of different silk threads to show people too, light fabrics and heavy ones. So at 12.30pm I was lead upstairs to the lecture theatre and introduced to the speaker. To my surprise she was accompanied by a quirky guy I remembered from last year. His very entertaining talk in my favourite pub last year was one of the high spots of the festival for me. I told him this, he thanked my and asked if I wouldn’t mind giving out flyers because he was doing it again tomorrow night. I knew this and had every intention of seeing the talk again. This lunchtime talk was very informative and lasted an hour. It had the odd title of ‘Arguments and umbrella stands: Victorian Manchester’s natural history collections’. It was an interesting history lesson elucidating the origins of today’s collections within this museum. At the end of the talk a mysterious object which had been referred to as ‘the artefact’ was brought into for us all to see. I forget its exact name but it was something like ‘stratological scale’. It was discussed and judging by the questions which were asked, some audience members knew what they were taking about.
Totally a new area for me though this was.

Artefact

I was sat at the back for the talk itself as I had an evaluation for to fill in for the festival. Chatting to the speaker, and James afterwards I told them I would seem them tomorrow night at his talk. Apparently the talk I’m going to this evening is by a friend of theirs so I shall see them tonight. Back to being a silk moth expert for s while. I had a late lunch and went for a wander. I sauntered along the area behind the Manchester Museum and really enjoyed it as, I’d never been here before, despite living in Manchester for 11 years! The museum is always super busy during the festival but I had a great day. During the afternoon session, I had my name written in Chinese!

This evening’s talk at The Briton’s Protection was by Manchester University’s Dr Carsten Timmerman. He is a historian of medicine and his talk was entitled: ‘Cigarettes and smoking bans-The science and the history’. For 3 years now smoking has been banned from all enclosed public places in England. This talk deals with 6 decades of concern over the dangers associated with cigarette smoke. He talked about the politics and the epidemiology of it. Dr Richard Doll discovered the link between smoking and cancer. It was many many years before people believed that there actually is such a link.We were invited for a few drinks by todays museum speaker and James. Glynn had to work the following day so we said we would gladly have a drink with them tomorrow night. Another great day at the festival as far as I am concerned. Went home happy

Manchester Science Festival day 5

2010-12-19T08:59:00.000-08:00

Day 5, Wednesday 27th October. I was at MOSI all day mostly participating in busking in the upstairs lobby.Late afternoon I evaluated an event called 'seeing is believing' and I went and had a go myself before they cleared everything away. It was weird but amazing! Organised by the British Science Association, this was a combination of art and science allowing us to look at the science behind out of body experiences. I placed by right hand on the table underneath a wooden box where I couldn't see it. On top of this box is a hand made from a rubbery flexible material which simulates my own hand. The lady kept stroking, massaging and rubbing the fake hand. I felt nothing........at first! After a while my actual hand felt as though it was being stroked and manipulated. So it is possible to trick your mind even though I could clearly see the lady playing with the fake on. Oooooh creepy! A sad note was that this was Zena's last day of the fesival, sniff! I had worked with her a fair bit and she was full of fun and a very lovely person. I was sad to see her go as was one of the STEM managers who happened to be around. We hugged and got emotional. I managed to snap this smiley pic of her before she left and was sorry she couldn't make our xmas meal.

After going home to get changed I came back to MOSI, as a member of the audience.Therw was an awesome event happening this evening which concluded the RSC's 350th anniversary celebrations. Four reknowned speakers were invited along to talk about the latest developments in their fields. See photos ;) These research fellows were Prf Andrew Sharrocks discussing biomedicine (cancer research), Prof. Barbara Maher from Lancaster University discussing climate change and enviromental pollution (magnetite particles). The third speaker was Dr. Alexander Oh discussing particle physics. The fourth speaker was from Manchester University and was this years joint Nobel prize winner for physics! Both nobels work at the materials department here and won it for their discovery of graphene in 2004. Dr Konstantine Novoselov spoke about this and he was very funny. Alas Prof. Andre Gheim couldn't be with us this evening. Each talk was very interesting and at the end they formed a panel at the front and answered questions. A most enjoyable evening. Fellow STEM Ambassador and award winner lol Claire was also there.

A geeky meal and awards ceremony.......

2010-12-15T12:03:00.000-08:00

Lastnight, tuesday was an amazing night. It was the christmas event for us STEM Ambassadors which is MOSI's way of thanking us for all our hard work at the science festival ;) We all met up at a fantastic indian restaurant which is just near MOSI. It was wonderful to see everyone again, I had hoped for a big turnout. Nice to see happy faces and everybody having fun. The food was fabulous and we had the biggest naan breads I've ever seen! They were served up on a metal rack and placed in the centre of the table where you could just tear a piece off. After the meal were thank you speeches and 3 prizes were given out so it was abit of an awards ceremony really. I was most surprised and thoroughly delighted when the first award winner was me! I hadn't expected it because at the end of the festival itself I was presented with a bottle of red wine for my sterling efforts ;) Below you can see a photo of the award. Isn't it beautiful? This is for my outstanding dedication during the Manchester Science Festival. I was there for the whole time expect one afternoon. Loved it! This award is now a treasured possession and I am really touched. Thank you MOSI. xxx

The number that is Lady Gaga

2010-12-11T14:13:00.000-08:00

Day 4, i.e. Tuesday 26^th October. Catchy title for a public lecture eh?

http://www.eee.manchester.ac.uk/aboutus/news/LadyGaga.html

Of the evening events I attended this year, this was far and away my favourite. It was mind blowing! It started at 7pm and was mean’t to be a 90 minute talk but overran. As if that wasn’t a long time to be speaking. It included visuals and audio and covered a whole range of topics including, quantum mechanics, relativity, string theory which left you wondering what this has to do with Lady Gaga. However as Professor Gaydecki. said a few times, all would become clear in the end and have relevance, and it did! It was essentially about digital systems and a breakdown of their various components and how they work and integrate together (reductionism). It makes you question reality! I guess he could have chosen any artist but of course Lady Gaga is known by the youth of today, and so it would appeal to them. The show ended with a montage and I think it would be nice to see this on YouTube. It was accompanied by a really touching tune which I’ve heard before but don’t recall the name of the artist. ‘Light up’ I think the song is called. The Prof said that scientists may be good at communicating their subject but not so good at expressing how it makes us feel. That is what the video was mean’t to convey. I am glad I was sat at the back because I felt quite emotional. It featured images such as the Apollo 11 astronaut team, newborn babies. Awesome. Thank you Prof, I shan’t forget this lecture and I do hope that I get to see it again some time. That is, if it doesn’t pop up on YouTube first. I hope these pictures, give a flavour.

Days 3 and 4 of the Manchester Science Festival 2010

2010-12-04T06:46:00.000-08:00

Day 3, Monday. From 9am until 4.30 pm as usual. I was on the information desk downstairs for the whole morning. This was chilly but fun and I stood up in the end to help customers coming in. We were all given Festival hoodies to wear but alas we weren’t allowed to keep them. After lunch I was sent along to the Super K again. I was thrilled about this of course! I noticed straight away some improvements from the first day. We were better briefed and thus better able to give the public a better experience. It was also explained to them that we were only role playing ;) We all had a go in the boat today. I thoroughly enjoyed it, though still never witnessed the live link to the real thing in Japan. I did take this opportunity to take another awesome photo though.

Day 4 Saw me spending the morning science busking at MOSI. Again it was cold and we wore the hoodies. We periodically spent the morning doing this just outside the museum too. Shivering fun. Here are the lovely Zena and Becky.

Zena

In the afternoon I was drafted on my ownsome to The Manchester Mueseum where I had a fantastic session seeing some live animals during what was colloquially named ‘The frog talk’! The talk was 1 hour long and the kids loved it. I sat at the back, evaluating the talk. It was most enjoyable and as you can see I got some rather nice pictures ;) The guy giving the talk was really, really nice. I hope I’m in just as good shape when I’m his age. I hope you enjoy these photos and manage to get a good look at the animals in them. All sorts of amphibia.

snake!

tiny little leaf frog

I had taken more pix of these beautiful creatures but unfortunately it doesn't seem as though you can get a good look at em. You can always google and visit The Frog Blog! This talk was given twice this afternoon so I had double the pleasure ;) Thank you to Dr Andrew Gray of the University of Manchester for a wonderful talk.

Days 1 and 2 of the Manchester Science Festival 2010

2010-11-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

Finally, it is here! Day one saturday 23rd october. I have so much to say already. Day one was very exciting and great fun for me. I did both the morning shift (9am start) and the afternoon session so basically I was there from 9 until 4.30pm ;) I arrived early and was keen to check out the new look MOSI which has spent many recent months undergoing refurbishment. It looks wonderful and happily still recognisable. This year we are meeting up every morning in the new Lovell suite to be allocated our event. When I got there, plenty of volunteer’s were there already and I got my first glimpse of this years t-shirt. Bright green! One of the event managers whom I haven’t seen since last year remembered me. The ‘Hi Sarah’ was a nice surprise. I saw a few familiar faces, folks I’d met last year. I wondered if I would. Nice to see them again and so many new STEM Ambassadors. So I received my festival bag and t-shirt along with festival info and proceeded to collect some snacks and bottles of water to see me throughout the day. Time for a coffee and a chat before our general briefing. A high profile event which is in fact headlining this years festival is the Super Kamiokande Sonic Boom! (‘Super K’). I hoped I would at least get to see this sometime. I needn’t have worried. I was told I would be going to the Super K event today and be there for the whole day, so I was happy already! This event was only there for the first half of the festival and the venue was at the Manchester Metropolitan University which I had never been to before so I was curious about this too. The real Super K in Japan is designed to detect Neutrino’s. It looks like this

http://atlasobscura.com/place/super-kamiokande

The replica of this at the festival was made using 1000 gold helium balloons to represent the photomultiplier tubes (PMT). Passengers (representing neutrinos!) were rowed along a pool of water in a small rowing boat with a scientist who explained the physics of and the nature of the Super K project.

The team. Why is my suit undone?

When we first arrived we were of course shown around and briefed by the lady, Nelly, who had designed this replica and then allocated our roles. We were to be the security team which mean’t wearing tyvek suits, wellies and hard hats. Our passengers would be kitted out with this stuff too.

I look more mad scientist than a mean one.

As well as the Super K itself there was a mezzanine floor which was a balcony really so that people could view the installation from above. Also there were a series of short films and a live link to Japan. Alas I never got to see that. There were talks also given by some of the scientists there. We had to do some role playing and were told we had to be unfriendly to the people. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with that and I feel my fellow STEM Ambassadors thought the same thing. I was the oarperson which mean’t sitting at the back of the boat and simulating the rowing motion with my plastic oar. This was great fun and mean’t I heard a lot of science. I couldn’t really row because the water was too shallow and was ultra pure which is apparently dangerous if we touch it anyway. I’m sceptical about that lol. Every 10 minutes the sonic boom went off. This was actually a light simulation of the sonic boom. As the oarperson I was to be the meanest of all. I wasn’t allowed to smile at all or speak to any members of the public. Fortunately only 2 families asked me questions, just after lunch. I felt abit mean but better than being told off by Nelly!

There was a film crew there the whole time and I was excited about either being on the news this evening or ending up on Youtube. However, it turns out it was for french television so there’s a good chance I’ll never see it. That’s probably for the best lol. I was asked to film a specific scene too. It was of me turning the water pump handle just before getting passengers into the boat. It needed 2 takes as I was too fast the first time. All in all a good start to the festival for me, I enjoyed meeting and working with new people. I felt quite tired surprisingly early but then it was completely dark with no windows. There were some teething problems which you would expect on the first day. I felt our briefing was rushed and it was taking too long to get people through it. Things did sort themselves out though I believe. I hope I have enough energy for the rest of the week.

Day 2 Sunday 24^th October. This was the only time during the whole festival when I wasn’t there for the whole day. I was sent to the MMU again with 2 lovely young scientists Zena and Jordan whom I worked with quite a bit and we had a lot of fun. I enjoyed it at least. I enjoy busking and soon got into it again. I was disappointed that we wouldn’t be doing the lava lamp demo this year. As a chemist it is my favourite. We still had a blast though. It was rather quiet too so they decided not to do any busking there in the afternoon anyway. We did meet a couple of lovely and very funny men who work at the university. One was a Jamaican ex NASA mathematician and the other guy had done a lot of things including acting. Happy memories. There was a robot dog there too who was very cute as you can see from the photo’s.

They still don’t know everything about it. Does it know its name? (Oh no I’ve forgotten it. There is something to be said for writing a blog entry as soon as possible! lol) Does it even respond to sound? It had some cute moves though. I went home at lunchtime after another happy day ready for the hectic but fun week ahead. I love science festivals. Back soon with news of day 3 xxx

Manchester Science Festival 2010

2010-10-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

It will soon be here! Put these dates in your diaries 23-31 October. I am excited and looking forward to actively participating in my second science festival as a STEM Ambassador. As usual this takes place over the half term holidays giving parents and their kids alike an opportunity to find out how science is really done. So come along and see for yourselves how fun science really is and we also hope to dispel any misconceptions you may have about scientists too ;) Anyone can have a career in it if they want to! We want to inspire you. See here for the full list of events taking place in the Manchester area

http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/

and look out for our science buskers all over the area too. They will give you demo’s which show how much fun science is and a taster of what you can expect at the festival. They are identifiable by their matching brightly coloured shirts. I don’t yet know what colour they are this year, though some people might. Last year was my first one and I found it awesome which is why I’m doing it again. Its wonderful to meet like minded enthusiastic people too. You will be able to pick up a programme from the festival and most events do take place at The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in the centre of Manchester. Speaking of programmes, I’ve just received by schedule for it and I will be there for most of it. Hope as well as doing my job I get a glimpse of some of the events. If you see me, Sarah, there, please do come up and say hi ;) Most importantly of all, enjoy and learn :D You will find out about the latest research going on and perhaps see some well known faces. I will be back with more festival news/updates in the near future. Over and out x

British Science Festival 2010!

2010-09-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

This years festival took place at Aston University in Birmingham from 14-19 september and this time last saturday I was enjoying my final day there. You can read all about it by visiting their webpage

http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/web/BritishScienceFestival/index.htm

I love these festivals, they are so much fun, you get to meet new people and hopefully learn something. Its great to see people being enthusiastic about science and engaging with the public. I was excited as usual but even more so because this is only the second festival I have attended and on this occasion I am also a speaker. So, nervous and excited then and looking forward to my event. There are so many of them going on its impossible to see them all which is a great pity but I’ve no doubt they are all equally interesting, informative and fun. I guess I can only tell you how it was for me then. Overall most of the events I attended here were lectures, so not many photo opportunites unfortunately. I took a photo of the campus though and also a view from my room.

I was staying at the Lakeside Residences which wasn’t too far from the main campus and I was overjoyed to have an internet connection in my room so I could Skype home ;) I arrived at Aston on Monday 13^th September (mum’s birthday), checked in, and picked up my weekly pass for the festival. Time to explore and I bumped into @robajackson waiting outside the business school. Rob is a chemistry lecturer and reader at Keele University and a co-organiser of our chemistry event which talks place on Thursday.No sooner had I said hello when the person he was meeting showed up. A friendly seeming man who gave me his business card and invited me out to supper with himself and Rob. He was the associate dean of the university. We enjoyed a lovely french meal accompanied by a band making it almost impossible to hear each other talk. Lorelly came a long too. It seems strange to me that such a restaurant should sell real ale but far be it from me to complain. I was having a really good time already.
Tuesday, the first day of the festival, so many choices to make already! There were 2 highlights which stood out for me. The first event being ’Inspiring women in science, engineering and technology’. Three successful scientists talked about their science careers and their lives. They were Prof. Sunetra Gupta, Dr Liz Watson and Dr Sarah Baillie. We then had a buffet lunch which gave an opportunity for us all to mingle and talk to each other. This event was particularly interesting to me as I am both a woman scientist and a STEM Ambassador. Later that day, 6pm, I went to Lorelly Wilson’s ‘Chemistry with cabbage’ event. This is a one hour demonstration of science experiments you can do safely at home with everyday household items. My personal favourite is the lava lamp. This was supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Then it was swiftly on to the Chemistry Section Mixer, held in the common room. This was a chance to meet and chat with other speakers. It was a fun evening with lots of fun talk. I enjoyed meeting everyone there. I hope everyone else did too. Much wine was consumed. Wednesday 15^th September, at 10pm I attended an event entitled ‘extending the life of the transplant’. This was supported by the Medical Research Council and Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity. This was largely about kidney failure and organ donation. Special guest was Sue Townsend, author of ‘The Diary of Adrian Mole 13 ¾’ who suffers from kidney failure, diabetes and is registered blind L It was a long and interesting ethical debate. One or 2 other events I was tempted by but this was my last chance to spend time going over my own talk for tomorrow as I was very nervous and had never done a power point presentation before. This evening was our Chemistry Section dinner which I had been looking forward to. The venue had been changed but I got there. It was a chance to meet and chat with the people I was doing my event with tomorrow. It was so nice to meet people who also care about chemistry and I enjoyed having dinner and conversation with @katherinejhaxton a chemistry lecturer at Keele University and co-organiser of our event, @lorellywilson, and @stuartcantrill, chief editor of Nature magazine. There was plenty of time to mix and talk to others there before the meal. I had another lovely evening. I didn’t sleep to well tonight though, a combination of nerves and excitement. There were several interesting events on Thursday morning and I had a good breakfast and ventured forth. Two I wanted to go to were cancelled so I went back to my room to put the final touches on my talk. Our event was called’The Armchair chemist online’ and was supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry. This took place in the main building from 1pm until 3pm. Our aim was to explore forms of online scientific communication enabling anyone to get involved from the comfort of their armchair. The lecture theatre was relatively small and around 20 people showed up. I didn’t meet @darrenwalsh from the periodic table of video’s until we were in there setting up for our event. Katherine chaired the event and gave a great opening talk followed by an excellent talk by Stuart, then Darren and finally me. I was very nervous having not done public speaking for a while and was also worried about my laptop battery which seemed to be failing! That was alright in the end. The whole event went well and of course we at least were interested in it and were asked some good questions. I was talking about how social media had enabled me to become a STEM Ambassador. I talked about what this is and how anyone interested can get involved too. It was a priviledge to meet and work with you all. I had an exciting and memorable time. Thank you to Rob for inviting me along to do this. You are all brilliant. After our event we went for a coffee and I got a chance to talk to Darren. We all exchanged business cards. At 6.15pm I went to my first x-change which takes place every evening in the student union. Fun talks by the days best speakers. Tonight I saw neuroscientist Prof. Gina Rippon, physicist Jim Al-khalili and some guy juggling. Sorry I forgot his name. Then I got a takeaway baguette which I enjoyed in my room.
Most events on Friday seemed to be occurring at Birmingham university, shuttle buses between the 2 uni’s provided. I didn’t fancy wasting too much time on buses and I was all on my ownsome at this point so decided to see what was happening here. I sent Friday morning after breakfast wondering to the train station. It was nice to get a glimpse of the city. I changed by return journey back to Manchester for sunday morning rather than Monday which would’ve mean’t me rushing around to get to work. Silly. Mean’s I miss last day of the festival though L So at noon I got to see a talk by Dr Sarah Bell, of UCL, an expert in water hygiene. She talked about the needs of the people in developing countries and the projects she was involved with. This is a subject close to my heart. After a quiet afternoon I ventured into town again looking for the next venue. This was the only off campus event I attended at 6.30pm and was rather excited to be seeing Dr Ben Goldacre talking about bad science. The theatre was full and as anticipated was very entertaining and interesting, his talk intermingled with sarcasm and wit. Thoroughly enjoyed it and went back to my room happy. Curry in tow.
I was to make the most of Saturday as my last day here and looking at the program over breakfast planned out what I was doing. Of course it didn’t turn out as I had planned lol. First up the food factory which was an interactive event was fully booked and they couldn’t squeeze me in. So I went to the student union to see a talk about foetal alcohol syndrome in the UK by Dr Pam Lowe of Aston University. I enjoyed this talk, it was eye opening, I learned a lot and there was a long debate with audience afterwards. A shame more people didn’t turn up, I recommend this. Pam is a nice lady. I was determined to take part in an interactive event so I toddled along to one about evolutionary art. This involved merging images together on computer to create or evolve art whch you like. I could have sat there forever doing this. I got to save images on a free memory stick so I can keep them and bring them home. It was disappointing ti discover at home that I can’t open my files as they are .nod files. Never heard of them. Happy to find my stick has tutorial and demo’s on it too. Wasn’t expecting that. Next to the room we were in was an exhibit by professional evolutionary artists. Far superior to our novice stuff as I thought it would be. Very impressive it is too. Next I had planned to go to the Skeptics Roadshow which I looked forward to expecting it to be like the much heard of but never attended by me Skeptics in a pub. Sadly it was cancelled! This meant I could go to the event ‘Life, the Universe and Everything…’ First talk was by Dr Guy Consolmagno, the Pope’s Astronomer! What an interesting and smart guy he is. The next talk was by Prof Ian Morison of Jodrell Bank ;) Then it was time for a break and I noted that this event seemed to go on along time until 10pm. An announcement was made. Apparently this evening we were to have gone out with a couple of telescopes and gazed at the moon. That would’ve been awesome but its too dull and cloudy and abit drizzly. For the most part the weather in Birmingham has been bright and sunny. At 4pm I went along to a full lecture theatre to see a 90 minute talk by geologist Prof. Iain Stewart about climate change and the human impact on it. Learnt a few things and didn’t know at the time that he is a well known science presenter. The final event for me was mean’t to be ‘The Beagle has landed!’ but this was also cancelled leaving the way free for me to attend the highly enjoyable ‘Tomorrow’s world’. This included amusing black and white video clips which are kept in the archives of Manchester’s very own MOSI! We were asked to submit our own idea’s about the future. Then there was a Q & A session with a lively panel. This concludes the festival for me. It is impossible to attend all evets as there are so many. So whatever your own festival experience was I’m sure you had an excellent and most educational time. I bought a baguette and some drinks, had them in my room, had an early night as I have an early train home tomorrow. Goodbye Birmingham, thank you for having me, its been fun xxx Had I been here tomorrow there are several interesting events I would’ve wished to see. Next year the British Science Festival will be held in Bradford. If you can’t wait that long and want to keep your kids entertained over the coming half term holiday why not pop along to the Manchester Science Festival. Please say hi if you see me. I’ll be there for most of the week in my role as a STEM Ambassador ;) You can find out for information about this exciting event at their website:
http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/
Most events take place at the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Manchester and over the next month leading up to this you may see science buskers out and about promoting it. One of them may be me but come over and say hi and see what we are doing anyway. All questions happily welcomed. See you there!

I can taste it!

2010-07-22T02:29:00.000-07:00

First of all apologies for the lapse in my blogging. I have no excuse really other than, a hopefully passing phase, of lack of inspiration. In truth I mean't to write this particular post some time ago but actually didn't have the time. I do now ;)
A while back at work, I learned something about myself, genetically speaking. Phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) is an organic compound that either tastes very bitter or is virtually tasteless depending on the genetic makeup of the taster.

A colleague fresh from his biology class came into our lab armed with PTC papers. We were all eager to try it and see who could taste it. I reacted severely as I was quite startled. I guess it can vary from taster to taster but to me it was very bitter and sharp tasting so I definitely have the gene. What this means exactly I don't know. The ability to taste PTC is a dominant trait with around 70% of people having the ability to taste it. This phenomenon was discovered by a chemist of course in 1931 by a man named Arthur Fox who accidently released a cloud of a fine crystalline PTC.Whilst he could taste nothing, a colleague nearby complained about the bitter taste. He then continued to test the taste buds of assorted family and friends, setting the groundwork for future genetic studies. Chemists eh? I guess it really is the 'central science'. I'm quite happy about that.

ps my apologies for not posting a pic of this molecule. I tried and failed.

TED: Why we need explorers

2010-06-10T13:50:00.001-07:00

Brian Cox again ;)

Exciting lecture at Manchester University

2010-05-01T12:53:00.000-07:00

On thursday 12th April, I was very excited to have attended a lecture at my university given by the youthful and inspiring Professor Brian Cox. I went straight from work so was a scruffy and nerdy as can be, and met my other half who was obediently waiting for me outside the visitors centre. There was a 30 minute drinks reception beforehand, I guess to allow people chance to arrive and relax. I had a free glass of white wine. During this time I was able to buy a copy of Prof. Cox's Book 'Why E =MC2 and why should we care?' I was thrilled about this and look forward to reading it, even if I don't understand it. The lecture was simply called The Universe, it lasted an hour and was wonderful. As soon as it began I noted that Brian's presenting style and manner is exactly the same as he is on tv. I feel silly writing that but it is true. It also seemed familiar but that is to be expected. It is the same lecture he has given at other venues around the UK and I have seen it on YouTube. This lecture was also filmed so I am hoping that it will also crop up there. In the meantime please enjoy this

The Q&A session afterwards was very interesting and entertaining and as we left the theatre some people were lucky enough to get their picture taken with Brian. I kicked myself as I'd forgotten my digital camera, and I kicked myself even harder after I'djust left, realising I could have had my book signed! As this was so popular and booked up rather quickly, (less than 12 hours) Brian is doing this again here in June if he can. So on the plus side I have a valid excuse to go and see it again ;) Thanks Brian for an interesting and educational evening.

Snottites anyone?

2010-04-09T13:17:00.003-07:00

This post is inspired by the final episode of a brilliant new documentary series called Wonders of The Solar System which is presented by Professor Brian Cox of Manchester University. (You can find him on Twitter as @profbriancox). Until watching it I had never even heard of snottites so this is like a new discovery and exciting new learning experience for me. Thank you Prof. Cox for that!

So then, what on earth are snottites? Any chemist, geologist or person who likes to visit caves will undoubtably be familiar with stalagmites and stalactites. Those huge icicle like structures found in limestone caves which grow upwards from the cavernous floors and hang down from their ceilings. They are deposits of calcium carbonate, also known as calcite, which are formed because water rich in calcium carbonate drips through the ceilings of caves and thus onto the floor of the caves as well. As the water evaporates, it leaves behind these deposits which slowly ‘grow’ giving stalactites that hang from the ceiling and stalagmites which build upwards from the cave floor. They take thousands and thousands of years to grow and are impressive to see and very many beautiful photographs of them have been taken.

(Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:USA_carlsbad_caverns1_NM.jpg)

This leads me on nicely to talk about snottites, which are also found hanging from the ceilings of caves. Their name is a clue to their characteristic features, namely they are rather more gluey and snot like than our calcium based friends. You could be forgiven for thinking that a giant bat had flown by and sneezed leaving its mucous gobbed all over the cave walls! So what exactly is this intriguing if disgusting looking stuff? Snottites consist of colonies of single celled extremophilic bacteria. Such extremophiles are so called because they can survive in conditions here on earth which would be hazardous if not fatal to human beings. They live in dark damp places beneath the surface of the earth and can live in extremes of temperature, pH etc. In sulfidic caves, these bacteria derive their energy out of the water which enters the caves from below or drips down from above. This water contains hydrogen sulphide which the bacteria metabolise using oxygen to produce energy and sulphuric acid as their main waste product. Thus snottites have a more fluidic consistency and are very acidic with a pH of between 0 and 1.

This photo courtesy of www.caveslime.org

Researchers are interested in studying the geochemistry of these microbes and understanding their sulphur cycle. There is now one much studied toxic sulphur cave in Mexico called Cueva de Villa Luz (Cave of the lighted house). This is the very same cave which Prof. Cox visited for ‘Wonders’ and is where these photo’s were taken. Snotites have also been found closer to home in some caves in Wales ;) I think a visit may be in order. Whilst I have seen stalactites and stalagmites, I have yet to see snottites. I don’t think I could bring myself to touch one though. As intriguing as they are, I mean yuk, just yuk! Perhaps I may change my mind on that if the times comes, all in the name of science and experience.

(photo credit: Dan S Jones-Penn State)

Interestingly,it is also not known where these microbes actually originate from. These organisms may perhaps be able to tell us more about the early microbes which existed on earth and even more excitingly, about the possibility of organisms which may live or have lived deep beneath the surface of other planets or moons such as Mars and Europa. Lets keep on investigating shall we? I hope you’ve enjoyed this journey. Thanks for staying with me through the gobs xxx

Happy new hairdo

2010-04-06T09:59:00.000-07:00

Whilst everyone else has gone back to work today after easter I still have time off ;D So I treated myself to a long overdue hairdo. I love it and my new hairdresser. What do you think? I feel like I've been thrown back to the 1970;s ;p

And from the back..........

Fabulous huh? How is it possible to have a haircut and leave the salon feeling like you hair looks longer than it did when you went in? ;D

xxx

Big Bang Science Fair 2010!

2010-03-20T09:39:00.000-07:00

Phew, I am late in posting this as this time last weekend it was all over! Many apologies for the delay, it was great fun but very tiring. This fair took place thursday 11th March to saturday 13th March at Manchester Central. I was there for 2 whole days on friday and saturday.

When I first walked through the door and had a walk round I was in total awe of the place and knew it was going to be exciting so much to see! I was here as a WISE woman rather than STEM Ambassador. Its the same thing really only we were encouraging young girls to think about taking up a career in science and they get to see that real female scientists exist. I spent most of my time working with 2 lovely indian girls and we all got to wear a lovely pink t-shirt.

Flattered by the camera as usual! There were live shows going on but obviously I couldn't go to them so missed out on some good stuff and seeing/ meeting some well known shows and scientists. There was Brainiac Live, TED Talks, Bang Goes The Theory and The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures.
When I did get a chance to see some things there were all sorts of unusual and fascinating stuff, such as a coffee powered car! I got to make my own badge and do some welding too. I learn't that you can also weld with chocolate ;D I noticed a DNA model made entirely from pop tins, a great photo opportunity.

Its lovely to see everyone enthuse about science, having fun in what they do. I would do this again in a heartbeat. Nice to meet such lovely folks and to be involved in engaging the public in science! ;D I hope to do more of this.

Jeff Goldblum on Relativity and beer!

2010-03-06T12:22:00.000-08:00

Love this ad from 1991

Apparently the Holsten Brewery is in Hamburg. I didn't know or realise this when I was holidaying there in 2007! All of the JG ads for this product were hilarious IMHO ;D

Sage advice and inspirational talk about achieving happiness

2010-03-06T09:23:00.003-08:00

Hope you all enjoyed this talk as much as I did ;) xxx

Origin of The Faeces?

2010-02-12T11:21:00.000-08:00

I thought it only fitting to post this around Darwin day ;p

( Thank you to Private Eye Magazine) Happy Darwin day everybody ;D

My radio debut!

2010-01-18T13:10:00.000-08:00

Last friday evening (Jan. 15th, 8.30pm) I was interviewed via phone about my role as a STEM Ambassador. This was the first time I've ever been on the radio and it was very exciting. The interview lasted 40 minutes in total. I should explain that this is an internet radio station who have have a very lovely blog and is ran by 2 amateur astronomers who are doing an amazing job. Their mission is outreach and promoting science education in the US. They are based in Florida. Their radio station is AstronomyFM or AFM .Go and check them out. My interview was first broadcast at 3am GMT/UT (9PM EST), Monday 18th January and is being replayed every 3 hours. http://astronomy.fm/
A huge thank you to Tavi and Rob for giving me this experience and opportunity and for the oportunity to talk about STEM, what it is, and how one becomes an ambassador ;)

Murray Gell-Mann: Beauty and truth in physics.

2010-01-12T02:58:00.000-08:00

First of all Happy new year! Hope 2010 is great for all of us.

I came across and enjoyed this talk by the father of physics. I found it so interesting I wanted to have it here and hope you enjoy it too. Finally he does mention chemistry. He has such humour and is able to talk about his subject so easily for the layperson. I both admire and envy that as I would like to improve how I chat about equation based science such that it doesn't sound too complex or off putting to the non-scientist :)

2009-12-29T09:59:00.000-08:00

Wow, I didn't even know I was going to get this. It arrived on xmas eve and I opened it in the car as I was on my way to the in laws for christmas. A nice surprise ;) I wish each and everyone a very merry xmas. Hugs xxx

Paper recycling

2009-12-22T10:56:00.000-08:00

Cellulosic fibres exhibit a number of properties which fulfill the requirements of papermaking. These properties are: High tensile strength, suppleness (flexibility), resistance to plastic deformation, water insoluble, hydrophilic, have a wide range of dimensions, inherent bonding ability, ability to absorb modifying additives, chemically stable and relatively colourless.

Deinking chemicals are used for the removal of ink when recycling paper.

The deinking chemical agents are based on formulations of:

Sodium hydroxide
Sodium hydrosulfite
Hydrogen peroxide
Chelating agents
Surfactants

I use 1 litre of each and add them to the deinking cell in a specific order.

Deinking process can be broken down into several simple stages.

Recycled waste paper ----> screening and cleaning ----> wash deinking or flotation----> deinking post-flotation and dewatering.------> deinked pulp

Recycling technologies have been improved in recent years by advances in pulping, flotation deinking and cleaning/screening, resulting in the quality of paper made from secondary fibres approaching that of virgin paper. The process is a lot more eco-friendly than the virgin-papermaking process, using less energy and natural resources, produce less solid waste and fewer atmospheric emissions, and helps to preserve natural resources and landfill space.

However there are alternative ways of deinking paper which involves replacing harsh chemicals with enzymes. This is what I research.

Enzyme action is affected by the paper constituents in the de-inking condition. The chemically pulped fibres are more susceptible than mechanically pulped fibres. This is important because mechanical fibres have a lot of lignin left and hence they're much more resistant to the cellulases. Therefore, this technology works best in mills that are recycling stock paper such as office waste which is very high in chemical pulp content.

Office waste paper, unfortunately, is also high in laser and toner content, thus it has a very low value because you can't mix it with anything, and the technology for taking the toner particles out is not very good at the moment.Enzyme deinking is complemented by maceration, because the major role of cellulase is to release the toner particles from the surface of the fibre. One depends upon the mechanical action in the pulping process to release the toner particles, and physical separation remove the toner particles by flotation.

During the past twenty years the attempt to replacing chemicals with enzymes in deinking recycled paper including cellulase, xylanase, laccase and lipase, has been pursued. Cellulases and hemicellulases have been demonstrated to dislodge inks by peeling off fibres or fines on paper surfaces. Lipases have shown some direct action on ink particles either degrading oil carriers or breaking down pigments. Lignin-degrading enzymes, such as laccase, also hold some potential for deinking, as they may selectively remove surface lignin, and hence, facilitate ink removal. Cellulolytic enzymes have shown the most promising results for deinking of mixed office paper waste. I suppose this is to be expected since paper is actually cellulose. Oddly I personally am finding that amylase is the most effective at deinking. What is frustrating though is that after the end of my experiments/deinking sessions I am finding that there is so little enzyme activity left making it difficult to assay. Isn’t that typical of science?

Enzymatic versus chemical deinking has been widely examined for MOW (mixed office waste) and photocopy prints. This being the most difficult paper to deink. The use of enzymes could be an attractive alternative to chemicals in deinking. The application of enzymes in deinking has been studied on laboratory and pilot plant scale. This work has resulted in numerous patents. However, so far enzymatic deinking is rarely applied in commercial use although some promising applications include recycling. The enzymatic treatment is a competitive alternative for MOW and photocopy paper deinking. However, the process requires the selection of an adequate enzymatic preparation for each paper grade. It is less costly than chemical deinking, and it is more efficient.

These 2 methods of deinking are constantly being compared and work with enzymes will continue due the benefits gained by using them. I will leave actually paper making to the experts though I have done and enjoyed that activity.

Meet Professor Risk

2009-12-12T11:34:00.000-08:00

I think this is great though I only eat bacon butties at the weekends. I'm now wondering if there is a Professor for the Public understanding of everything. (Source: University of Cambridge)

Comic quackery.

2009-12-12T05:33:00.000-08:00

This amusing cartoon can be found on p466 of my undergraduate organic Chemistry textbook. Morrison and Boyd 5th edition softback. I thought it odd enough and funny enough to share with you all. Any thoughts, comments?

Paper Science

2009-12-06T11:24:00.000-08:00

I’m guessing that not many people in the blogosphere will know much about the art and science of papermaking so here is a quick guide. Just what exactly is paper? I will tell it from the point of view of a chemist ;D

It is composed of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen which of course means it is a carbohydrate. This is in the form of cellulose which itself is a long chain linear polymer of β-(1 4)-D-glucopyranose units in 4C1 conformation (i.e.glucose molecules)

Cellulose is found in plants as microfibrils, and is mostly prepared from wood pulp.

It is also produced in a highly hydrated form by some bacteria (for example, Acetobacter xylinum). So as you can now imagine, the chemistry, physics and process of papermaking is quite complex and very interesting I assure you.

Paper is such an important piece of our lives, but what do we really know about it? Papermaking began in China back in 200 BC. Chinese papermakers used old chopped-up fishing nets, tree bark, and scraps of linen and hemp to make the world's very first paper. Chinese papermaking spread slowly but steadily all over the world, from Asia into Africa and Europe. Soon just about everyone knew how to make paper. Still, there wasn't a lot of paper around, since making it gobbled up a lot of paper-making material. Early paper was made of rags, and rags were hard to come by. Ironically, when the disease called the Plague or Black Death killed millions of people in Europe, tons of clothing and rags became available - at just about the time the printing press was invented. Suddenly, more books were printed, people became better educated, and these better-educated people scratched their heads, trying to figure out a substance that might provide even more paper-making material.

We still make paper using that same basic formula. We just vary the kinds of wood fiber and energy, and the techniques of bringing it all together, to get just the kinds of paper we want. There are certainly many types of paper - newspapers, school books and writing stationery; envelopes, boxes, packing and wrapping paper; paper toweling, tissue, and personal hygiene products. Not a day goes by that we don't use paper in dozens of ways. But papermaking today, creating all the kinds of paper we use in such huge quantities, is a science as well as an art. Engineers and technicians speed things up, using computers to help guide factory machines that can produce huge rolls of paper at more than 45 miles an hour. (Thanks to TAPPI). Here is a photo of our dept pre 2004 before we merged with our textile friends.

And here is a photo which graced the entrance to our building. Sadly it was taken down and I miss it :( I hope to see it pop up again somewhere. Hopefully in one of our museums. I shall keep looking............

Do you think we will need as much paper in the future as we become increasingly dependent on modern technology? Hopefully people will still treasure books as they read from their kindles. Of course we will always need tissue paper. A post in the near future will be about the biology and chemistry of paper recycling which is what I do.

From my favourite poet ;D

2009-12-02T08:12:00.001-08:00

Trans Fats

2009-11-27T12:11:00.001-08:00

Why do I want to talk about trans fats? Recently I caught a repeat on our new digital tv screens of a program hosted by Top Gear’s Richard Hammond. He wondered wether we should be worried about trans fats and at one point went into a sewer (in protective clothing) and the stench was apparently MUCH worse than he was expecting. We were shown huge pile of fat from fast food outlets and restaurants which had taken up residence down there. Not what I expected, they looked like giant piles of ash! The outcome of this show (yes they had a chat to a professor of nutrition), was that if we are eating 2 or 3 takeaways a week then we are putting our health at serious risk. This was in 2006 and I think people maybe in need of a reminder of exactly what trans fats are and which foods contain them and so to avoid. Hence this post.

Everyone has heard of them and knows that they are very bad for us, but what exactly are they? Any organic chemist or good food nutritionist ought to be able to tell you. So here is a quick chemistry lesson.

At room temperature, oils are liquids and fats are solids. The reason has to do with their chemical structure. The main backbone of all fats is a long chain of carbon atoms. In nature, fats contain some double bonds, these are what are known as unsaturated fats.

It is at these double bonds that addition of hydrogen takes place.The double bonds are broken during such reactions and the end product consists of a new single bond. This is now a saturated molecule/fat. There are 2 ways in which these new hydrogen atoms can add to the molecule which means there are 2 types of resulting

fats. Look at the carbons marked with a red asterisk. Both hydrogen atoms are bonded on the same side of the carbon atoms. This is known as a ‘Cis’ fat. This occurs in most cases and causes the chain to be bendy. Cis fats occur naturally. However during the manufacturing process, bombarding the chains with hydrogen results in the 2 new hydrogen atoms being attached on opposite sides, i..e a trans fat.

This gives a more solid structure. As a result trans fats are found in large amounts in dairy products and meats. Health implications of trans fats are cancer, diabetes, heart attacks, strokes, reduced sex drive and just generally not feeling great.

Its best to eat a sensible diet making sure it contains enough fruit and vegetables and using vegetable oils rather than solid butter. Be sure to ask your local chip shop etc if they use hydrogenated oils. Lets hope they say no and they are telling the truth.

Jodrell Bank

2009-11-21T05:00:00.000-08:00

The UK city of Manchester and its university are the proud hosts of Jodrell Bank which itself is of course most well known for the Lovell Telescope.

http://www.jodrellbank.manchester.ac.uk/news/

This blog is quite 'spacey' thus far isn't it? Thats okay, its a beautiful and currently topical subject. I shall endeavour soon to diversify, maybe with some chemistry ;)

Guide to the Large Hadron Collider

2009-11-21T03:22:00.000-08:00

Here is a link to a 4 part guide which tells you everything you could want to know about the LHC which was restarted last night. Particle Physicists are hoping to find out more about the nature of the universe and it would be very exciting if they find the much sought after Higgs-Boson (aka 'God') particle.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7543089.stm

Good luck to them, many of us are following whats going on especially via the wonderful 21st century medium known as Twitter

After a 14 month hiatus, the LHC restarted yesterday

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8371662.stm

Manchester Science Festival 09

2009-11-18T11:17:00.000-08:00

Everything you need to know about this festival you can find on their website. It also comprises of a blog which is regularly updated.
http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/

There were very many events taking place over Greater Manchester, quite alot at MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) where I spent most of my time and also where I had my training. This the third year of the festival but the first one for me so I was very excited.I got to meet and work with lots of lovely people. The kids were alot of fun and this was good experience for me working with them. I learned new things eg DNA modelling with wire and coloured beads. I got to see things many great things too. For example a replica of the Mars Rover, which was very impressive. Also 'Baby' which was the first ever computer to be constructed and it was built here in Manchester. As a special treat for kids, in the special exhibitions hall was a CBBC interactive booth. This was ran by a lovely guy called Isaac who's come all the way from London for this. When I was not wearing my purple STEM Ambassador T-shirt I was a CBBC volunteer so it was a full and busy week for me. Alas we weren't allowed to keep our white t-shirts:( My first day at the festival, was spent at The Manchester Mueseum which is part of Manchester University. Here I watched and helped the kids with the Darwin Tree of Life. Before their arrival, it was a case of securing wallpaper to the floor with duct tape and stenciling the title in the middle of it. The idea is that the kids look around the museum and decide upon which animal they see which they would like to draw. Then they come to us and get to draw it on the Tree of Life. They then have to draw a line connecting it to another creature which has similar features. Great fun. Photographic evidence of this and me doing my CBBC stint can be seen on my other blog. I may get around to shift them over here http://sarahstracks.blogspot.com/

The next day was an entire CBBC day for me. Plenty to entertain the kids. There was a mobile treasure hunt, all texts free of course. This took the kids around the museum so they get chance to see everything, only 4 clues and should take 30 mins max. Then they come back and whisper to us hopefully the correct answer. They recieve a very colourful swish certificate and a multilingual pencil as well as getting to watch a 60 second animation. They can then do the Bamzooki workshop if they want but the text hunt isn't compulsory. Apparently Bamzooki is a kiddies CBBC show which I'd never heard of, haven't been a kid for a loooooong time! Anyway the kids get to design and build their own robots and then fight each other Robot War style! All on computer and this was all set up and designed by resident computer genius, the lovely Bjorn whom I assume to be swedish. The kids could also invent something, draw their ideas and stick their drawings on the invention wall. Or they could make cardboard models of characters from CBBC shows. Again my ignorance of those was overwhelming. Or they could make a 'chatterbox'. Remember those? This one has scientific questions in it. This certainly kept the kids amused and they seemed to really get into it. They could wear labcoats if they desired as well as a silly 'thinking cap'. I must say I found my CBBC time to be a very rewarding blast. I enjoyed it immensely. Whilst occupying the kids the adults could look around at the other stalls which were there. All scientific of course. I was impressed that in the latter half of the week was a stand all the way from St Andrews University. The next day I was with STEM again. I spent the morning on the information desk and then had great fun in the afternoon doing DNA modelling with wire and coloured beads. I got to see a lecture by Prof Frank Close of Oxford. Basically he was just plugging his new book 'Antimatter'. I acted as Usher letting people in, got to see the lecture and then escort the prof out. I was supposed to take him to the info desk and book him a taxi but as it wasn't raining he wanted to walk. The final weekend of the festival was significantly quieter but I think thats good, people get a better chance to look at everything, though that really hasn't been a problem all week. I did my STEM duty again on saturday spending some time on the information desk. I was told to go and see if anyone in the exhibition hall needed me. They didn't but this gave me a chance to look around properly. There was a spare desk where the DNA modelling had been so we did that again for a while as an extra. Then I did some paperwork (cutting out tickets). Not the most exciting day but I enjoyed it all the same. Sunday was the final day so I felt quite sad. I did my last CBBC stint in the morning until 1pm then donned my purple t-shirt for the final time. This consisted of ushering 2 lectures. The first involved a cab ride to Zion Art Centre in Hulme which I'd never been to before, its pretty cool. Large auditorium. Anyway a lecture called Horrible Science was given by Nick Arnold who is quite well know but not to me until now. He's written a series of books by that name and his lecture was full of silliness. Definitely for kids only followed by a book signing. Then we went to the university academic library John Rylands on Deansgate where there was an interesting lecture on the history of hypnosis. Yep he tried to hypnotise us in the end. No book signing this time, and that was it all over.........I'd certainly do this all again and would recommend it to anyone. As well as visiting such festivals of course. I think this will be my longest blog post ever ;D

STEM Ambassador for Manchester

2009-11-18T11:11:00.000-08:00

I am now officially a STEM Ambassador for Manchester. This is a voluntary role of which I'm quite rightly proud. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. I will stay on the STEM database as long as I've participated in at least one 'event' every 12 months. That for me is the Manchester Science Festival though I will happily participate in any event which needs me in which I feel I can do and I have time for. This is a national programme and part of the British Science Association and obviously I represent Manchester as its where I live ;D. Our role is to promote and communicate the public understanding of science to non-scientists and to show children that it is is fun and exciting and not all boring equations etc. Hopefully it will encourage some to think about taking up a career in science in their future. I had a lovely tuesday mornings worth of training back in mid September which was great fun. We were taught and practised some science experiments which can easily be done at home with household objects. We would be performing these when out on the streets science busking! The festival itself ran from sat 24th Oct until Sun 1st Nov. On the run up to this though were plenty of events going on to promote the festival. A week before it started I enjoyed 2 science busking sessions in Stockport and Manchester Piccadilly train station respectively. All kids who walked by and stopped seemed to enjoy themselves, I had a blast although abit cold towards the end. In between these 2 days I spent a whole day as a volunteer with the schools programme. This took place in a nightclub and we had 4 schools, i.e. 200 kids! In the morning I ushered them into an auditorium to see a fun chemistry lecture given by Dr Steve Rossington of Salford University. Lots of blowing up of things! Then I ushered them out and steered them in the right direction. After a lovely and free lunch it was time for the experiments. They were on a rota system and I didn't get to see them all but did manage to walk around and talk to experts at the various exhibits. This is the first time I saw 'Baby'. Apparently it is nearly but not quite the original as most components have had to be replaced over the years. Still very impressive though, I'm happy to have seen it. The most fun thing I got involved with was CSI Manchester lol. Yep some brilliant young scientist had been murdered in his lab with his own retort stand and we had 4 suspects. I had a DNA sample taken so now I know how thats done. Of course it hasn't been tested/characterised! In the end the kids and adults all had a great day. It was nice to see smiling kids enjoying science xxx

What a great year.......

2009-11-18T08:10:00.001-08:00

..........2009 has been for Science. Well hasn't it? Lets see: 1) 40 years since man first set foot on the moon 2) International year of Astronomy 3) Charles Darwin's bicentennary (Happy birthday Charlie) 4) Discovery and naming of new chemical element #112, which is now officially called Copernicium. I'm sure there is something else? :/

Of course there was must excitement last year in Cern, Switzerland when they swtched on the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), in the hope of finding the Higgs-Boson or 'God' particle. This is of much excitement to physicists and in often true experimental style things didn't quite go to plan and the thing sprang a helium leak. So it will be swtched on again, this friday nov 20th. Of course they have already tried recently and a piece of bread from a baguette was apparently dropped into the machinery by a pigeon! I suspect this is not the exact story but do you think this project is jinxed perhaps? I look forward to it being switched on again and finding out what happens. Hopefully they will get lots of good data which they can use and will at least tell them something, good luck to them whatever happens. I can't wait for news of this.Here is a link to all you could want to know about the LHC

http://jinst.sissa.it/LHC/

Welcome

2009-11-18T07:49:00.000-08:00

Hi Dear Reader,

welcome to my first ever science blog. I really do hope you enjoy it. I shall keep it updated and active, lets see how it grows. First of all let me start by mentioning 2 of my online favourite chemistry projects, the now famous and award winning Periodic Table of Video's http://www.periodicvideos.com/# and also with musical accompaniment the ever lovely ChemToddler http://chem-toddler.com/ You can find the links to these 2 sites and much more of there on the left handside.You can also follow me on twitter @SarahScientist.

Any comments, suggestions, feedback etc are most welcome and I will be thrilled with sage advice/comments you wish to leave ;D.

Also of great importance to me is my other blog which follows my annual training for the BUPA Greater Manchester Run and raises funds for a charity which is close to my heart. The Rutger Hauer Starfish Foundation which supports and helps HIV+ pregnant women and children, initially in the Caribbean but now all over the world I think. That blog has the rather unimaginative title of 'Sarah in Training'

http://sarahstracks.blogspot.com/

I'd better warn you that you'll hear alot about that come January!......

Take care xxx