SCIENCE YEAR NEWSLETTER - ISSUE 51 Week ending Friday, 25th January 2002 Into our next half century now, and the Science year team have all agreed that our guest writers this week have hit a six! Many thanks to Caitlin, Kat, Alison, Jamie, Cathy, Ian and Duncan who have described their, let's say, eccentric work life for us in the wonderful Week in the Life of SCIENCE LINE. And amongst the other good news coming up this week is the amazing KitPot announcement concerning free science equipment for schools. Keep scrolling Before handing over to Science Line, here's the rundown on what's coming up: • A Week in the Day of Science Line • Science Line Out and About • CRAC conference • Hardy perennials, Teaching awards and Curriculum Review • Job opportunity with SEAS • Sir Alec Broers Science Year Lecture • Programming competition • Terminal velocity software • Adult science learning grant scheme • Recommended websites of the week • Mnemonics • Joke section ... and over to Science Line: Greetings from salubrious Shepherd's Bush! As it's Science Line's turn to guest edit this esteemed missive, we thought we'd do something a bit different and let you have a glimpse into the weird and wonderful world of the Science Line office. As you all (hopefully!) know by now, Science Line's aim in life is to answer science questions from the public. If you have a science question then we will do our best to answer it for you - unless of course it's a homework question in which case we will direct you to your nearest book! Science Line operates a freephone telephone helpline on 0808 800 4000 which is open between 1 and 7pm Monday-Saturday and a website at www.sciencenet.org.uk But that's not all we do as the 'Week in the Life of Science Line' below shows... Monday The air conditioning has been left on over the weekend so we all put on natty but far too small Science Line sweatshirts that smell vaguely of pineapple (don't ask!) to keep warm. Jamie finally gets to add water to the dehydrated triops kit he got for Christmas. We all stand around the tank with bated breath. Nothing happens. Stuart Clarke asks 'all about volcanoes and how they work' during our daily slot on County Sound Radio (1566MW in Surrey). www.sciencenet.org.uk/Resources/geogresources.html Our other daily slot is with Dominic Busby on BBC Southern Counties Radio and today's question is 'Why don't you sneeze in your sleep?' Alison is delighted with the answer we've received from an expert to one of our queries, 'How big was the biggest badger ever found in the UK?' You ask the questions, we have to find the answers. www.sciencenet.org.uk/database/Biology/0201/b01017d.html Tuesday The triops tank is now full of teeny tiny floaty things. Question of the day - why do they all congregate in one corner of the tank? Wonder about this for some time, rotating the tank and moving things away from it. Nothing seems to make a difference - they all keep going back to the same corner. (We didn't solve this mystery so any ideas are welcome.) Stuart wants to know all about crocodiles today on County Sound Radio. www.sciencenet.org.uk/database/Biology/0104/b00895d.html Dom asks 'Is there a maximum temperature?' on BBC Southern Counties Radio. www.sciencenet.org.uk/database/Physics/0107/p01530d.html During our weekly slot on BBC Radio Solent we answer questions sent in by their listeners. This week's included 'How is teflon stuck onto non-stick pans?' and 'What makes the sky red in the morning?'. As if by magic a giant packet of biscuits appears, which we quickly scoff. A little research shows that eating just 250 kilocalories a day over your body's needs would mean you put on a stone over a year. If only we were so quick at eating the bags of satsumas that we bring in with such good intentions. Alison is astounded by the number of people who have phoned up with a query about why the time of sunrise continues to get later even after the shortest day of the year. How can people be so observant at that time of the morning? www.sciencenet.org.uk/database/Physics/9812/p01298d.html Wednesday Worryingly, there seem to be fewer triops than when we left the office last night and those that are left are distinctly bigger. Is that a satisfied smile I can see on one of them? Stuart on County Sound is obviously worried as today's question is 'Why do old men's ears get bigger?'. Dom on BBC Southern Counties Radio is more worried by the behaviour of moths and why they fly into lights. www.sciencenet.org.uk/database/Biology/Original/b00109d.html Researching a query on E numbers, Cathy seems to find it necessary to bring in family sized bags of peanut M&M's, Smarties and Liquorice Allsorts. Far be it from us to question her experimental methods. A teacher phones asking about some cunning demonstrations her pupils have found on the Internet. We're happy to discuss what might be happening, but is it fair for us to help out teachers with their 'homework', we wonder? Thursday The triops are slightly bigger but still difficult to see - so we get the microscope out for a better look. Wow. They look grim. We also discover that there are two types of critter in the tank. A quick read of the instructions (perhaps we should have done that first) enlightens us to the presence of fairy shrimps as well as the triops. Obviously having watched Pop Idols for too long, Stuart asks 'Why can't some people sing?' on County Sound Radio. Today's question for BBC Southern Counties Radio is 'Why are slugs and snails so slow?'. www.sciencenet.org.uk/database/Biology/9609/b00597d.html Cathy and Alison attempt to copper-plate some nails they received for Christmas (Santa is so generous) using only 2p coins and some briny vinegar from a pickled onion jar. It works, but progress is slow, so we rig up an electroplating mechanism using a battery and some paper clips - hmm, results are inconclusive. Friday Yeah! Cathy is dispatched to the supermarket to buy marshmallows and straws for the Friday experiment. On her return we all gather round with bated breath as she puts a marshmallow in a bottle then seals it with sticky tape and blutac. We all become very excited as she starts to suck the air out of the bottle. Then quickly become despondent as nothing happens. As the bottle is evacuated the marshmallow is meant to expand - apparently. We couldn't get it to work but if any of you can... Stuart gets serious and asks 'Tell me all about stem cells' for County Sound. www.sciencenet.org.uk/slup/CuttingEdge/Feb00/cloning.html Dom doesn't and asks 'Do flies get that weird feeling in lifts?' for BBC Southern Counties Radio. Alison spends half an hour explaining to Jamie just why the illuminated portion of the Moon doesn't seem to match up with the location of the Sun in the sky. Kat is more concerned that no-one is watering the plants. We decide we are conducting an investigation into drought stress, particularly on the hated and poisonous Dumbcane plant. Saturday Yes! Don't forget that Science Line is open on Saturday between 1pm and 7pm, to answer all your science queries. So whether you are doing a spot of gardening and have a horticultural problem, or are in the kitchen and are concerned about that strange gel in the bottom of the vinegar bottle, give us a ring on 0808 800 4000. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was an average whirlwind of a week in the life of Science Line... ...and so to the rest of the week's news headlines: School labs and workshops to receive hi-tech kit The Royal Society will give away hi-tech laboratory equipment worth £1 million to UK secondary schools in a new Science Year scheme announced on Wednesday night. The initiative will allow students to gain practical experience of carrying out experiments using high quality equipment similar to that found in university and industrial research laboratories. It represents a major contribution by the Royal Society to Science Year Kit Pot. Under the scheme, secondary schools can apply for one piece of science equipment and one piece of design & technology equipment, chosen from the following list: • engineered bioreactor for demonstrating industrial principles; • energy transfer unit that allows energy transformations to be demonstrated; • temperature datalogger for portable use and long-term measurements; • smartcard control system to enable pupils to access the technologies involved in banking, security and control; • IQ and bit by bit controller pack for controlling electrical and electronic components; and • electronics factory for building and investigating circuits. Schools will also be able to purchase, at a heavily subsidised price, a National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE) electrophoresis kit for comparing different types of proteins. The equipment has been designed in association with teachers to ensure that it best meets their needs. Teachers will also have access to training and ideas about how to use the equipment. Schools will be notified in February about how to apply for the equipment. It is intended that about 14,000 pieces of equipment should be distributed by July 2002. OUT AND ABOUT With Science Week only a short while away, it's time to start preparing for those 10 days of frenetic activity. Science Line's popular forensics murder-mystery show, 'There's No Place to Hide' will be out on the road, this year branching out into broadcast drama as well. The show's been adapted for radio and over the course of a week listeners will be able to tune in and hear clues before using special experiment kits to determine the identity of the murderer. More information about how to get involved with this will appear in future newsletters. And there's no rest for the wicked as the week after Science Week is the Wrexham Science Festival (18th - 24th March). There's a huge line up of events and some great celebrity scientists to help the whole thing go with a swing. Find out more at www.wrexhamsf.com . A CRAC-ING IDEA "Inspiring schools about Science" A conference to celebrate Science Year Friday, 8 February Hosted by The Boots Company PLC CRAC, Science Year and NESTA are working together to produce this exciting event that will bring together science teachers and co-ordinators in primary and secondary schools; science club co-ordinators; careers staff in schools and careers services; EBP personnel; education managers from LSCs; employees from businesses of all sizes; and everyone interested in helping to energise, resource and inspire science teaching in the classroom. Featuring: Lord Puttnam, Chairman, Science Year - NESTA; and Janet Major, Head of Science, Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School For further information (including the full programme and workshop information) and to book a place: http://www.crac.org.uk/events/events.htm. Alternatively, please call CRAC Events on 01223 448525; or email events@crac.org.uk. HARDY PERENIALS Yes these two just won't be uprooted 'til we are satisfied that almost all of you have participated! Attention all Science Teachers: if your students haven't already participated in our survey of the science curriculum, please encourage them to take part asap! The Curriculum Review is a potentially revolutionary opportunity for young people to get involved with shaping the future of school science. The results will be formally handed to the government, but there's another more immediate reason to get involved, namely: prizes. Participants will be randomly selected to receive goodies throughout the process... It's not a bribe, it's an "incentive"! We need loads more participation to make the survey really count - so please get involved, and pass this information on to your friends and colleagues. Find out more at: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/review . Also this year, the Teaching Awards Trust, in partnership with BT, has introduced a new category to support Science Year. The BP Award for Science Year seeks to recognise teachers who have inspired pupils with the innovative and creative teaching of science. It is open to all schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Anyone - colleagues, pupils, ex-pupils, parents, governors - can nominate a teacher for an award in this category or any one of six other categories at the Teaching Awards web site - check it all out at www.teachingawards.com. CAREERING AROUND? If you are looking for a stretching new post, please read on... Manager of the Science and Engineering Ambassadors Programme - SEAs Manager The Science and Engineering Ambassadors Programme is a nationwide programme supported by both the Department for Trade and Industry and by the Department for Education and Skills. It's co-ordinated by the Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics Network (SETNET). The objective of the programme is to get more people with active experience in the fields of science, engineering, technology and mathematics to: • work with schools to interest and enthuse young people in these subjects • and assist teachers in bringing the curriculum to life from their practical experience. The SETNET is seeking a manager to be responsible for the establishment, development and maintenance of the programme. Throughout the UK the programme is operated at local level by the 53 SETPOINTs, and the Ambassadors come from a variety of enterprises both national and local. The manager will be responsible to the Chief Executive of SETNET for: • liaison with the various major organisations whose employees are involved in the programme, • promoting and developing the programme, • encouraging technical enterprises to stimulate their people to become Ambassadors, • ensuring and monitoring the performance of the SETPOINTs in executing the programme at local level, • ensuring that all Ambassadors have been trained to the level required and that their appropriateness for working with young people can be assured. • control of the programme's budget • providing overall national data on the activity of the programme. Some experience and understanding of technical enterprises and of education in schools would be expected. The post is full time, based in London. Salary is negotiable. Those interested please apply to: SETNET, 37 Queen Anne Street, London, W1G 9JB. SCIENCE YEAR LECTURE Tickets are now available for the fourth lecture in the Science Year Lecture series. This lecture, which is fully illustrated, will be delivered by Sir Alec Broers, Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, in Newcastle on Thursday 7th February 2002. The title of this talk is "The Miracle of the Chip: the most influential scientific experiment of the last 50 years". It will be held in the Scotswood Room at Newcastle Centre for Life at 6.45pm. As ever, the young people present will be encouraged to ask questions of the lecturer and supplementary supporting information will be available on our website following the lecture. Tickets will be issued on a first come first served basis. Please e-mail the number of tickets you require together with your name and full postal address to keynote@scienceyear.com PROGRAMMING THE PROGRAMMING PROGRAM The 2002 BCS Programming Competition Teamwork, skill and determination to succeed are qualities which are valued highly in the world of systems and applications programming in both academia and industry. This competition offers a realistic platform on which IT professionals, students and academics can compete on equal terms and demonstrate their skills in a public arena. Co-ordination of your skills and the resources available will be essential for success. Following its introduction to the Programming Competition in 2001, Java (Standard Edition version 1.3.1) is again available as one of the competitions' programming languages, in addition to Visual C/C++ version 6. Of course you will, as a team, have free access to a personal computer and standard software, and your results will be judged against hidden test data by a panel of judges appointed by The British Computer Society. The 2002 heats are being held at regional centres across the United Kingdom on Saturday 23 February 2002 and the national final will take place on Saturday 23 March 2002. http://www.bcs.org/progcomp for more info or contact Pablo Gomez who is the Events Manager at the British Computer Society on Tel 01793 417479 HOPEFULLY NOT TERMINAL VELOCITY Force and Motion from Fable Multimedia Have you ever taken your class skydiving to teach terminal velocity? I doubt it. Here's the next best thing from Fable Multimedia and its a lot safer. This terminal velocity interactive resource gives you a virtual experience of skydiving. You decide if and when to open the parachute and the program will record your height and speed data. Once you have landed safely, and got your breath back, you can work through the tasks and analyse your data. It is one of eleven exciting interactive models on Fable Multimedia's 'Force and Motion' CDROM which picked up a BETT Award last year. To support Science Year, Fable will be letting teachers use their terminal velocity teaching tool as next month's free resource. Fable also publish 'Oscillations and Waves' and 'Interactive Physics' for A'level physics so it may be worth visiting their website to download a demo or two. http://www.fable.co.uk ADULT SCIENCE LEARNING If you could encourage more adults to learn about science - or are doing so already - you could be eligible for a grant of £500. Many people switch off from science in their early years, never to come back to it. Clearly crazy opportunity-missing behaviour, but true nonetheless. NIACE, the national organisation for adult learning, wants to do something about it, and is therefore offering grants of £500 for projects that: • make science interesting AND relevant to new adult learners • provide more and different opportunities for adults to learn about science • show creativity in terms of content, delivery and location. The grants are intended to support work with family or community groups and to attract new learners. Projects may already be underway or may just be at the ideas-stage right now ... The key thing is innovation - which should be reflected through the content of the project, method of delivery and/or location. If you'd like to apply, details of your project should be written on one side of A4 and sent by 5 July 2002 to Kate Malone, 21 De Montfort Street, Leicester LE1 7GE. Please consult the NIACE website, www.niace.org.uk/alw for more detailed information about this competition. In the meantime, you may be interested in a new paper, 'Life, the Universe and Almost Everything', by Shiela Carlton, which discusses the means of widening participation among adults in science learning. The paper is available from NIACE Publication Sales, price £8.95. RECOMMENDED WEBSITE(S) OF THE WEEK Science Line's top tips are: 1. Reeko's Mad Scientist Lab. The site contains all sorts of experiments that can be tried at home by 'children of all ages'. Most are simple and use easily obtainable materials. 2. The Open Door Website. An extensive educational resource that functions as an online 'textbook' for the sciences. Not all areas are fully developed as yet, but biology is particularly strong. 3. General Chemistry Online. This is a more advanced chemistry site for the older student (or teacher). It's excellent for finding answers to a host of questions, and clears up many difficult topics with great clarity. MNEMONICS! They've been flooding in all week - soon we will have to draw a line under this issue, or print a lavish coffee table book of all the suggestions, one or the other... But here we go with one rather special offering: Haemorrhoids from Helen Banfill's Higham Lane School in Nuneaton's year 8 class, to remember the reactivity series (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminium, zinc, iron, lead, copper, silver, gold, platinum) Please Stop Calling My Aunt Zelda In Leeds, Cos She's Got Piles! JOKE SECTION Not satisfied with answering science questions all day, Kat at Science Line is also a stand up comedian and here is one of her science jokes: I never have any energy in the morning. Well, because I sleep in a bed, I have some height. So I have some gravitational potential energy But not very much, It's a futon Maybe it's all in the timing but it is very funny when she tells it! We found this site for jokes, and picked this one as the funniest. http://eval1.crc.uiuc.edu/edpsy390/statjokes.html "Three statisticians go deer hunting with bows and arrows. They spot a big buck and take aim. One shoots and his arrow flies off three metres to the right. The second shoots and his arrow flies off three metres to the left. The third statistician jumps up and down yelling; We got him! We got him!" And back to that poor man at the doctor's with the lettuce leaf sticking out of his bottom. Niki Smith from Cambridge sent in an alternative punchline... The original as we know was: 'I'm afraid it's just the tip of the iceberg' But try this on for size: 'It's okay, sir, I'll just apply a dressing!' ... Any more where that came from, we wonder? So it's goodbye from us! Hope you've enjoyed looking behind the scenes at Science Line, and we hope we've encouraged you to not be shy with your questions! Remember If you have a question it can be answered completely free! Contact them at 0808 800 4000 (open 1pm - 7pm weekdays) or go to the website www.sciencenet.org.uk. If you'd like to get in touch about any aspect of the newsletter this week please email anne.mcnaught@scienceyear.com as usual. Bye!