Bishop's Stortford Cafe
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Launched December 2005
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Date:
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27th February
2006 |
| Title: |
Human
interface with the Universe |
Speaker:
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Stan Allen |
| Description: |
As the
title suggests, this talk follows on from our earlier Cafe
Scientifique talks. Richard Epworth's "Interface with
reality" and Kevin Byron's "Counter intuitive science"
presentations addressed how, with our apparent limited
capability, we can get an understanding of the Universe. Our
brain seemingly processes new information at a low data rate
and our only useful human sense is sight.
The
Universe is known to be expanding, but because we do not
experience this in our day to day living, some of the
concepts involved are counter intuitive. For example, it is
impossible to visualise the non existence of space. A few of
the outcomes are surprising, even to some people who have
studied physics!
Following the tremendous burst of theoretical activity in
the 25 years prior to 1930, a huge amount of experimental
work over the past 25 years has led to a what is now a
robust model of how the Universe has evolved. Even so, there
is a much which has to be explained.
Stan
Allen will outline how cosmological data is collected and
reduced. Two dimensional models are discussed and
demonstrated, which make the understanding of expanding
space a whole lot easier. The talk concludes with the
present view of how the Universe has evolved and how it
became transparent at 380,000 years old.
Stan Allen worked at the Nortel Research Laboratories in
Harlow where he was involved with navigation systems and
telecoms research. He is retired now and has always retained
an interest in cosmology. He has an MSc in
telecommunications, an MSc in Astronomy and Astronautics and
is a member of the IEE.
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Date:
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30th January 2006 |
| Title: |
Counter-Intuitive
Science |
Speaker:
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Kevin Byron |
| Description: |
At first sight many ideas
in science do not make sense; indeed they can often appear in opposition to
what we consider to be common sense. The phrase 'counter-intuitive' has been
coined to describe such concepts and in recent years has found widespread
use in the published literature of science. Some ideas appear to be
counter-intuitive when there is insufficient knowledge of the underlying
phenomena and in a sense our intuitions at this stage can be viewed as
illusory even though they instinctively 'feel' right. Other
counter-intuitive ideas seem to defy any rational explanation. Such ideas in
science can surprise, amaze, confound and amuse - but more importantly -
challenge us to observe our own thinking and adopt a more creative approach
to science.
Kevin Byron will describe
the ubiquitous nature of the counter-intuitive - in thought, feeling and
action and demonstrate some examples of counter-intuitive concepts in
science.
Kevin Byron received
his Ph.D in Physics from the University of Hull and spent many years in
telecomms research. More recently he was awarded a NESTA Fellowship to
enable him to research into creative thinking in science education. He is a
Fellow of The Institute of Physics and a Visiting Senior Fellow to the
Physical Sciences branch of The Higher Education Academy at the University
of Hull. |
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Date:
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14th December 2005 |
| Title: |
'The
Human Interface with Reality: "Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?'
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Speaker:
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Richard Epworth |
| Description: |
A
paradox: the world we inhabit, and experience through our senses, appears
incredibly detailed and rich in information. However there is little
scientific evidence that we are able to absorb more than a tiny trickle of
fresh information, leading to the conclusion that most of the world we
are experiencing is just an internal construct or simulation based on our
history. The talk will explore the disturbing and exciting implications of
taking the true nature of the human interface into account.
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Date:
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29th March
2006 |
| Title: |
What makes science education
memorable? |
Speaker:
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Jonathan Forgham,
Science co-ordinator, Summercroft Primary School, Bishop's Stortford |
| Description: |
When
Einstein said "Imagination is more important than
knowledge!" he was referring to the importance of creativity
in science. Many of the audience will recall how the
emphasis in their science education was primarily on the
acquisition of knowledge and of learning facts, definitions
and laws. This approach in recent years has been partly
responsible for the loss of interest in science by many
younger people which is held by education policy makers to
be a major concern.
One way
to attract students back to science is by nurturing the
missing elements that appeal to the imagination by placing a
greater emphasis on creativity. Jonathan has achieved wide
acclaim in this endeavour with his pioneering practical work
which provides opportunities for primary school children:
‘To learn through seeing science happening in front of their
eyes!’.
After
describing his work in creative science Jonathan is keen to
further his researches in the ensuing discussion with those
members of the audience who have either had a career in
science or an enduring interest in science by asking - What
is it that made science memorable to you ?
Jonathan
Forgham has been teaching science education at primary level
for some 25 years and was primary science advisor for
Hertfordshire in 2004. He was appointed Science Fellow to
the Gatsby Technical Education project for his work on plant
science for primary school education and was made leading
teacher fellow in 2004. He is the science co-ordinator at
Summercroft Primary School
in Bishops Stortford and is currently organising a range of
activities for National Science Week.
Jonathan
is a ECB cricket coach, keen ornithologist, photographer and
traveller.
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Date:
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26th April
2006 |
| Title: |
Alzheimer's disease: pat,
present and future |
Speaker:
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John Atack, Senior
Investigator, Merck & Co., Inc. |
| Description: |
It
is one hundred years since Alois Alzheimer first described the patient whose
changes in the brain became characteristic of the disease that bears his
name. It is therefore an appropriate time to reflect upon how Alzheimer's
Disease has become a major focus of attention, within both the scientific
community and the general population. The current status of Alzheimer's
disease research will be reviewed as will the present and potential future
treatments for this debilitating disease.
Having completed his PhD studying the chemistry of the brain of Alzheimer's
patients in the department of Pathology at Newcastle General Hospital in
1984, John spent five years at the US Government's National Institutes of
Health outside Washington DC continuing his research on Alzheimer's Disease.
Whilst there it became apparent to him that there were no adequate
treatments for the disease and therefore he joined the Merck Neuroscience
Research Centre in Harlow 16 years ago in order to try develop new drugs for
this and other disorders of the brain. |
Date:
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21st June
2006 |
| Title: |
Energy literacy - how do we
make sense of the energy debate? |
Speaker:
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Damien Bevan |
| Description: |
There seems a growing
consensus that in the near future we will need to
find new sources of energy, and we will
need to use that energy more efficiently. The reasons for
this include the greenhouse effect, and the imminent
exhaustion of the world's supply of fossil fuels.
Both of these issues are accelerated in
their urgency by the ongoing rise of the 'tiger' economies
such as China and India. However, changing our source and
use of energy is going to involve making choices. These
choices can only be made with the understanding and consent
of the electorate, for which they need to be literate in the
language of energy. The presenter argues that the
gross inaccuracies and dumbing-down of
the energy issue in the media only serves to make things
more confusing. We need to find a clear and precise language
in order for the majority of the population to discuss the
energy
issue in a mature and informed way.
The aim of this Cafe Scientifique will
be to debate the form and terminology
of that language
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Date: |
Monday 20th November |
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Title: |
Have a rant! |
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Speaker: |
Who knows? |
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Description: |
Your opportunity
to have a brief rant on any topic that could be of interest to
our Café Scientifique audience.
A five minute talk,
followed by 10
minutes of questions and comments from our audience. A great
opportunity for you to air an idea, complain about something, or
simply to present a question.
Click
here for more
information.
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Date: |
Monday 15th January |
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Title: |
The threat from near-Earth
objects |
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Speaker: |
Jerry Stone, Fellow, British Interplanetary Society |
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Description: |
Summary:
It came
from Space
It was
10 km wide
It
killed nearly all life on Earth
That was
65 million years ago
When
will it happen again?
"We're
All Going to Die"
Do you
feel Lucky? Well Do You?
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Date: |
Monday 26th February |
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Title: |
Stem cells to therapy - a view
from the UK Stem Cell Bank |
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Speaker: |
Glyn Stacey |
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Description: |
Stem cells are in the news almost every day, and there are a lot of
passionate views and expectations.
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What is the biology that makes stem cells
special?
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How do 'adult' and 'embryonic' stem cells
compare? What is their clinical potential?
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How is the use of embryos and tissue
regulated in the UK?
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What is the UK Stem Cell Bank and what
does it do?
Glyn Stacey is Head Of Division of Cell Biology and Imaging & Director for
the UK Stem Cell Bank, National Institute for Biological Standards and
Control. He is also a professor in the University of Luton postgraduate
degree course in cryobiology.
See
www.cafescientifique.goforich.co.uk
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Date: |
Monday 19th March |
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Title: |
Flu pandemics |
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Speaker: |
Jane Leese |
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Description: |
Bird Flu continues to threaten to jump to humans.
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Date: |
Monday 16th April |
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Title: |
LASERs: fact and fiction |
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Speaker: |
Kevin Byron |
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Description: |
Light Sabres, Holodecks & Photon
Torpedoes! |
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Date: |
Monday 18th June |
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Title: |
When Vesuvius erupts again |
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Speaker: |
Peter Baxter |
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Description: |
See
www.cafescientifique.goforich.co.uk
The "future eruption of Vesuvius is the worst foreseeable natural disaster
facing the European Union".
Vesuvius is the most studied volcano in the world, but it is only relatively
recently that its mega-hazard in an area inhabited by at least 1 million
people has become understood by the Italian authorities. Now, for the first
time, scientists are attempting to develop emergency planning for such an
eruption.
Peter will explain the history of Vesuvius' eruptions, and how this suggests
what could happen in the next eruption. The timing, duration, size and type
of the eruption cannot be predicted in a volcano which is "on the edge of
chaos" but Peter will explain what is being done to plan for such an event,
such as the timely evacuation of at least 500,000 people.
Don't Miss It!
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Date: |
Monday 2nd July |
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Title: |
Digital dynamics: science with
a digital camera |
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Speaker: |
James Collett |
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Description: |
Note: If you intend to reserve a place, then
please respond ASAP, as we will soon publicise this more widely. Please tell
your friends who are into digital photography
Modern digital cameras are marvellous tools for studying the natural world.
Their high sensitivity means that motion can be studied on short timescales
(e.g. insect flight) or where there is limited light (e.g. a spark). In this
talk, we will see how digital photography with relatively simple equipment
can reveal the dynamics of the natural world from the kitchen sink to
lightning, from the flight of a bee to the changing face of the Moon.
Dr James Collett is a lecturer in the School of Physics, Astronomy and
Mathematics at the University of Hertfordshire, with research interests in
the dynamics of galaxies and cosmic clouds.
See
www.cafescientifique.goforich.co.uk |
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Date: |
Monday 29th October |
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Title: |
What the "!£%&*" do we
know?
Quantum physics,
conciousness and spirituality: is there any connection? |
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Description: |
Kevin Byron
Quantum theory was first formulated in the early 20th century to address a
growing number of experimental anomalies that could not be explained by the
existing classical physics of the day. Within a few decades this successful
theory had ushered in the new ages of atomic and nuclear physics that in
turn enabled a wealth of technological developments that surround us now.
Progress however, was largely driven by the predictive power of the
mathematical models used to describe the theory rather than by a deeper
conceptual understanding of the reality it describes.
Quantum theory is riddled with paradox and counter-intuitive concepts such
as multiple universes, multi-dimensional spaces, entities that can take on
different identities, instantaneous communication etc which remain to this
day a challenge to the imagination. It is perhaps because of these
unknowable aspects of quantum theory that they have crossed over into other
more philosophical and spiritual disciplines that formerly defined human
reality. Such disciplines had been robbed of meaning for many years by other
successful developments in modern science such as Darwinism and behavioural
psychology and more recently, neuroscience. Maybe it was believed that
quantum theory could restore some meaning to these areas of thought under
the umbrella of respectable science.
But is this cross-over justified? Does the underlying weirdness of quantum
theory give new life to imponderable spiritual ideas that have been under
assault by the progress of conventional science? Can parallels be drawn
between quantum theory and the equally unfathomable understanding of
conscious awareness?
What the "*?@~#" do we really know?
Some of the highly-respected scientists in this film seem to answer these
first three questions in the affirmative. And in answer to the last one they
appear to say - 'a lot more than we think we know!' What do you think?
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Date: |
Monday November 26th |
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Title: |
The 'Captain of the Men of
Death' is back! - the relentless march of tuberculosis into the twenty-first
century |
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Description: |
Jane Leese
In 1680 John Bunyan called TB "The Captain of all these men of death". The
scourge of Tuberculosis continued through the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries but the twentieth century saw hope, in the BCG vaccine and
effective antibiotic treatments.
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So why, at the dawn of the twenty-first
century, is TB a global catastrophe?
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Why don't we hear more about it?
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And what can be done about it?
These are some of the questions Jane will endeavour to answer. |
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Date: |
Monday December 10th |
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Title: |
Is science ever trivial? - a
light-hearted science quiz |
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Description: |
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Date: |
Monday February 18th |
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Title: |
The science and beauty of
nebulae |
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Description: |
Carolin
Crawford, Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University
Carolin will take us on an illustrated journey through our galaxy,
showcasing some of the most spectacular space telescope images of the dust
and gas that lie between the stars. She will show us how to read the
turbulent story they reveal of the lives of stars; explaining the science
behind the beauty. |
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Date: |
Monday 31st
March |
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Title: |
How to win the Nobel Prize! |
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Description: |
Tim Hunt
Sir Tim Hunt,
Fellow of the Royal Society, will talk about the journey of discovery that
led to him receiving the highest accolade in the world of science - the
Nobel Prize. Tim received his award in 'Physiology or Medicine' in 2001 for
studies on 'Key regulators of the cell cycle' (according to the Nobel
citation).
In his autobiography, Tim talks of the pleasures of doing science, such as
'trying to make sense of unfamiliar territory and the discussions with the
other authors providing an even more intense pleasure of learning new
things'. But he goes on to say 'none of these pleasures, great and
satisfying though they are, match the joy of discovery'.
We will hear, first-hand, the story behind the discoveries that have made a
major contribution to understanding how cells can make copies of themselves
at the molecular level. Such knowledge is essential for progress in many
areas of biology and the discoveries may, in the long term, open new
principles for cancer therapy. |
| Date: |
Monday 28th April |
| Title: |
It's
Playtime!! |
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Speaker: |
They say it's never too late to have a happy
childhood and this is a unique opportunity for you to recapture the fun of
playing with science.
Bishops Stortford College have kindly offered to open their Science Action
Centre just to us, Cafe Scientifique enthusiasts of all ages.
If you have ever visited "Launch Pad" at the London Science Museum, or the
Bristol Exploratory, you will have some idea of what to expect. It's all about
the fun of learning from experience: (I hear - I forget, I see - I remember, I
do - I understand)
"The Science Action Centre is a place where fun and learning go hand in hand.
Designed to intrigue and engage, it houses more than thirty-five interactive
displays for inquisitive young minds to explore. Whether discovering the magic
of magnets and mirrors, experimenting with light,
sight and sound, or creating a water fountain with their own hands, children
will find themselves absorbed from the moment they arrive. Exhibits include a
Helios Planetarium funded by the Institute of Physics and ViewSpace, which
provides an amazing live internet link to the Space Telescope Science Institute,
home of NASA's Hubble Space Telescope."
Don't just envy the kids of today: it's your turn to play, and another
opportunity to meet and chat with fellow Stortford Café Scientifique
enthusiasts.
Note that the venue is Bishops Stortford College, on Maze Green Road, just off
the Hadham Road NOT Caffé Nero
There is a Google Map on the web page:
www.cafescientifique.goforich.co.uk or the College website is
www.bishops-stortford-college.herts.sch.uk/
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| Date: |
Monday 12th May |
| Title: |
How the brain creates the mind |
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Speaker: |
Chris Frith, University College, London
Inside your head there is an amazing labour saving device, more effective than
the latest high-tech computer. Your brain frees you from the everyday tasks of
moving about in the world around you, allowing you to concentrate on the things
that are important to you; making friends and influencing people.
However, the 'you' that is released into this social world is also a
construction of your brain. It is your brain that enables you to share your
mental life with the people around you.
Using evidence from brain imaging, psychological experiments, and patient
studies, Chris, one of the world's leading neuroscientists, will explore the
relationship between the mind and the brain.
Chris
has recently published Making up the mind: how the brain creates our mental
world. He is professor of neuropsychology, at the Wellcome Trust Centre for
Neuroimaging at UCL.His other publications include Schizophrenia: a very
short introduction (2003, with Eve C. Johnstone) and The neuroscience of
social interaction (2004, edited with Daniel Wolpert). |
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