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As the day arrived and 10am was the time, I found myself at the Royal College of Pathologists with my class. We were given goody bags with water bottles, which was nice as we were thirsty from our journey. We filed in just in time for the introduction of the conference on science and engineering in a noisy Fleming Room filled with about 300 students as it was hushed to welcome Professor Steve Fuller. He told us that \u2018it is not too early to think of a scientific career\u2019 as everyone in this is room is \u2018in an ideal position to push forward. He then concluded by welcoming us all to the \u2018Science4Frontiers\u2019 conference\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our first \u2018workshop\u2019 for the day was called \u2018Science in Practice\u2019 in the \u2018Watson & Crick Room\u2019 which was also unsurprisingly buzzing with activity. There were all together about 15 stalls featuring varieties of careers in science. Each stall gave us an insight into what we would be doing in the respective careers. The first stall which caught my eye was the one featuring radiography. I found it extremely interesting how they identify tumours and try to find a diagnosis. I was even more intrigued to learn you didn\u2019t need all A*s to get into a radiography course! Nevertheless, I had learnt a lot in this session about many different scientific careers that I hadn\u2019t even considered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our second workshop was called \u2018The Microscope\u2019. There were quite a few microscopes around but the one that got me interested was a DIY microscope which you could build yourself! It was fantastic to see zebra fishes at 50X optical zoom wiggling around! We were also shown the different stages of how a nematode turned into a fruit fly. Seeing the progress in front of your own eyes was incredible. Unfortunately our time had ended in this fantastic little room so we moved on to the next session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The third session was what everyone was looking forward to. The presentations! As I watched my fellow students present, I began to feel confident that we would bag the prize! But that would have to wait, as we had a lunch break and one final workshop in between before we could celebrate!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The final workshop was the \u2018Molecular Revolution\u2019. This session was simply, art in science. It was presented by Doctor Lizzie Burns, who is also a brilliant artist! Our task, along with the 280 students was to create a gene using the code we were each given and connect them in order to get a DNA! It was very exciting seeing the piece coming together and how well it was done. It really got our creative juices running!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the \u2018Molecular Revolution\u2019 workshop finished, I realised it was time to see whether we won. As 3rd<\/sup>, 2nd<\/sup> and 1st<\/sup> place schools were announced, but alas, we didn\u2019t win anything. I didn\u2019t let this ruin my day as I learnt a lot about scientific careers, which I hope will strength my passion for science. It will be an experience I will never forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The day spent at the Royal Collage of Pathologists was an enriching and rewarding one. I, along with 14 other girls and our science teachers, visited this collage on the 19th<\/sup> of March 2014.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We reached the collage after a smooth and uneventful journey. We were gathered together to listen to what was a speech given by Professor Steve Fuller. Throughout the duration of his talk, he repeated a phrase which was his key to surviving and becoming successful in a world where survival and success is difficult. \u201cVisioneering\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou need to have clear vision. You need to have a vision and a pioneering spirit to push it forward. It\u2019s not going to come easily. You have to be determined, patient and not be discouraged if you fail, for failure is the first step in rectifying mistakes\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Professor Steve Fuller endeavoured to convey to us that being successful also means \u201cdealing and integrating with people\u201d. We explored through our question and answer session that you have to ask questions, and you have to \u201cbe challenging and allow yourself to be challenged\u201d. During my interview with him, Professor Steve Fuller also added that for our ideas, perceptions and beliefs to be understood we must \u2018displace the horse\u2019 and push aside things that are hindrances and obstacles to us being successful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After his stimulating speech was over, we proceeded to the microbiology room which taught us all about DNA, genetic variation and study of cancer we knew so well from our lessons at EWS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next, we went to the presentation room where our school was the first to deliver their presentation on whether or not organic apples are better that regular ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The rest of the day was spent going around rooms and doing different activities with people who work in the pathology department. Here are interviews I had with a paramedic and cardiac physiologist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat is your name and job?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy name is Audrey and I am a cardiac physiologist.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat made you decide to work in the field of medicine and healthcare?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMy grandfather had gotten a pacemaker and I did some research on the topic and I found out about cardiac physiology. I decided I wanted to go and study cardiac physiology and help people who were suffering with a slow heart rate like my grandfather\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We later went to a very intriguing display and found out that it was a CPR demonstration. We learnt how to help an unconscious person through DR ABC. Here is an interview I had with one of the paramedics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat do you love the most about your job?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI know it sounds clich\u00e9, I love the excitement. I love being out and about and helping. I love the feeling that I made a difference to someone\u2019s day or possibly someone\u2019s life. Whether it is just helping an injured person or taking a person to the hospital, I enjoy every minute of it\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We felt that these interviews were just as inspirational as Professor Steve Fuller\u2019s speech. I am certain that it motivated each and every one of us to go out and make a change, do something worth doing and most importantly to do something that makes us happy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although our school did not win the presentation competition, I feel that the main purpose of the conference was to make you open your eyes to things you didn\u2019t notice or understand, convince you to try new things and be open minded to new concepts and to make you go away from the conference knowing that it changed your life for the better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the great Albert Einstein once said, \u201cNever give up on what you really want to do. The person with big dreams is more powerful than one with all the facts\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Mir Mohammed Aoun, Al-Sadiq &\u00a0Al-Zahra Schools, Year 10 As the day arrived and 10am was the time, I found myself at the Royal College of Pathologists with my class. We were given goody bags with water bottles, which was nice as we were thirsty from our journey. We filed in just in time for the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":273,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-119","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/science4u.info\/2014\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/14\/SSC2014-SM-reporter.jpg","yoast_head":"\nDeeqa Hassan, The Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls, Year 9<\/h2>\n\n\n\n