Programme

The 16th Schools Science Conference comprised the following exciting sessions:

  • Welcome & Introduction
  • Science for ExperimentationYoung scientists present their own work 
  • Science for Interaction
    • Science in Practice – 1
    • Science in Practice – 2 & 3
    • Screening Workshop – Interactive Session
  • Science for EducatorsCPD Teachers’ Workshop
  • Science for Inspiration
    • Keynote speech
  • Round-up & Prize Giving

Science for Interaction

Science in Practice – 1, 2 & 3

Interactive Exhibits 
Meet the Scientists and Healthcare Professionals

Hands-on interactive sessions where you meet scientists, try out some scientific equipment, undertake scientific assessments, answer questions for prizes and learn how science is applied to healthcare.

AND don’t forget to ask scientists what they do and why they love their jobs.

Screening Workshop

Interactive Workshop 
Presented by The Royal College of Pathologists

What does your poo say about you?! Find out how pathologists look for early signs of disease on the inside by testing what comes out!

You’ll get the chance to test ‘fake poo’ using special cards used by hospital labs. 

Discover how these ‘poo-in-the-post’ cards have been used to screen groups of older people for early signs of bowel cancer. A final activity using magnetic sheets will demonstrate how a new more accurate ‘poo test’ works, and how it is helping make our health services more efficient.

As well as getting to chat with pathologists and scientists, you’ll also get to take away info about careers in pathology plus other Royal College of Pathologists’ freebies!

Science for Experimentation

Don Henderson Award

Competition 
Young Scientists present their own work 

Prior to today’s event we asked you to undertake a research project that you will present to the other schools in your group. 

All presentations will be competing for The Association for Clinical Biochemistry & Laboratory Medicine Trophy for the Don Henderson Award.

The award will be presented at the end of the day.

Science for Educators

CPD Teachers’ Workshop – STEM

Presented by Maria Rossini
British Science Association

Maria Rossini, British Science Association, Teachers’ CPD workshop with hands‑on and practical ideas to enthuse your students about STEM. From fun ice‑breakers to powerful questions.

Science for Inspiration

Astrobiology – The Hunt for alien life

Keynote Speaker
Prof Lewis Dartnell – Clinical Lead, DeepMind

Astrobiology is a brand new field of science, encompassing research into the origins and limits of life on our own planet, and where life might exist beyond the Earth. 

But what actually is ‘life’ and how did it emerge on our own world? What are the most extreme conditions terrestrial life can tolerate? 

And what would an alien actually look like – how realistic are the life-forms envisaged by science fiction novels and films over the years?

Join Prof Lewis Dartnell on a tour of the other planets and moons in our solar system which may harbour life, and even further afield to alien worlds orbiting distant stars, to explore one of the greatest questions ever asked: Are we alone…?

Prof Lewis Dartnell is based at the University of Westminster, studying how life, and signs of its existence, might survive the intense cosmic radiation on the surface of Mars. 

He also holds an STFC Science in Society Fellowship, and alongside his astrobiology research writes regular science articles in newspapers and magazines, and has appeared in TV shows such as Horizon, BBC Stargazing Live, and Wonders of the Universe.

He has published a popular science book introducing astrobiology, Life in the Universe: A Beginner’s Guide and also an illustrated children’s book with Dorling Kindersley, My Tourists Guide to the Solar System.

His third book, The Knowledge: How to Rebuild our World from Scratch is a Sunday Times Book of the Year, and is out now in paperback.

Prof Lewis Dartnell
Clinical Lead, DeepMind

Science for Sustainability

The 16th Annual Schools Science Conference took place on 24th April 2019


University of Westminster

115 New Cavendish Street
London
W1W 6UW