School students get a taste of University life

In December the University played host to school students from all over Tayside, introducing them to the wonders of life sciences, the excitement of chemistry and the possibilities of applied computing.

At three different events, school students had the chance to see these distinct fields of science in action and get a first hand taste of University life.

Learning from Life Sciences

Life in the world's deepest oceans, the genetics of sex, and the history and current research of diabetes were all explored by more than 250 secondary school pupils who attended the annual Higher Biology Conference in the School of Life Sciences.

The aim of the conference is to increase awareness of recent developments in the life sciences and the topics explored were among those in which the School has a well established international research reputation. The conference also enables pupils to see the breadth of career opportunities that the biosciences offer.

At the conference Dr Will Whitfield, a senior lecturer in the Life Sciences Teaching Unit, presented a talk on how organisms determine their sex and the consequences this has on its development, behaviour, and health.

Dr Hari Hundal, a reader in the Division of Molecular Physiology, presented a historical account of diabetes and the discovery of insulin. He also discussed how current lifestyles have contributed to the rise in diabetes today and research being done in the hope of finding a cure.

Dr Allan Jones, a senior lecturer in the Life Sciences Teaching Unit, introduced pupils to the amazing and sometimes bizarre animals that live in the oceans and how predators living in the deep, dark water have adapted.

Chemistry in action

Local school children were shown the fun side of working in chemistry at the Royal Society of Chemistry Schools' Christmas Lecture, held at the School of Life Sciences.

The science of chemistry was brought to life in a special presentation, called "Cardboard Cows and Chips", by Dr John Kilcoyne from the University of Sunderland's Department of Chemistry.

In his exciting demonstrations Dr Kilcoyne looked at oxidation reactions and the structure and size of different molecules.

What the future holds in computing

About 60 school pupils from 15 Tayside and Fife schools were invited to journey into space, feel what it is like to have a disability, and confront artificial intelligence for the Division of Applied Computing's Christmas Lecture programme.

The topics selected tie in with the Advanced Higher Computing Curriculum and include fields in which the Division is conducting pioneering research.

Dr Steve Parkes spoke about his work for the European Space Agency, Dr Dave O'Mara spoke about his research on the use of humour in devices for non-speaking users, and Dr Stephen McKenna presented some of his work on developing artificial intelligence to make computers understand what they are looking at. Dr Anna Dickinson and Ms Maggie Morgan got the students to wear goggles, mittens and ear defenders so they could see how it feels to have a disability.