From a girl’s perspective best invention ever - Redfoot revolution! After a hard night partying on those 4 inch heels these are a girl’s best friend - ballet pump style shoes that fold up for easy storage in your handbag, what more does a girl need?!
After some technological glitches I am back with only a few minor creases to iron out now. But at least I can blog….not sure if I can compete with Ross’s vivid personal account of the Spencer Tunick “nakeness in Dublin”
But at least I can bear witness to the fact that to bare all for art - is a liberating and some what hilarious experience. Once we stripped off I certainly felt less guarded and there was, bizarrely, a huge sense of camaraderie developed amongst the group, as Ross indeed described. As quite an introverted person I just can’t get over the fact I could happily chat to people, I didn’t know from Adam, while completely nude - oddly it was easier then normal social situations
I am glad I did it - a part of me felt it would be a great event to recount to my hypothetical children and grandchildren. It is a memory that I will cherish forever.
I found this video the other day on youtube and it is truly inspirational 
It’s on how to charge your ipod using electrolytes and an onion This is the most useful piece of science I have come across in a long time especially as I have just spent 2 weeks on boat were electricity (and water) must be conserved. The only questions I was left pondering was: is it ok to stick your usb cable in an onion (like will it work normally afterwards)? Does this work for digital cameras? Hmmm…seriously next time I am stuck on boat I might try this…whats the worst that happen?
Astronomy Ireland’s Chirstmas lecture sounds great and on the plus I don’t have any assignments to write this time At last Christmas lecture I had the wonderful opportunity to interview Jocelyn Bell Burnell (trail blazing female scientist who discovered plusars). Although it was an excellent experience I must admit I am glad that I can sit back and enjoy the lecture without frantically writing notes and stressing about what questions I should or shouldn’t ask. The search for extraterrestial intelligenceSpeaker: Tim O’ BrienDate: 10th DecemberTime: 8pmLocation: Physics Building, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2.
Saw some of this show last night (11ish) on RTE…I am very impressed, it great to see the public recognition of cutting edge 21st century Irish research. When I was working in the RDS they were actually filming some of it… interviewing Prof Luke O’Neill before a talk. If memory serves me correctly it was on Do It Yourself Vaccine Design and the other speaker was Prof Adrian Hill, a well known and respected scienctist in the field of Immunology. It’s fab to see the finished product on TV. It’s ever better when you know the researchers involved. I still rem Prof. Luke O’Neill lecturing in Trinity - he is one of those rare birds who is not only a great researcher but also an excellent teacher :)
Thanks
Just received this email on PSCI-Com mailing list and thought I should post it up. Wow I am impressed with anyone who can understand mathematics. Communicating it; is a whole different kettle of fish! The Christopher Zeeman Medal sounds like a great initiative for more information read the copy and pasted email below.
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Recognising mathematics communicators
The first award dedicated to recognising excellence in the communication of mathematics has been launched by the London Mathematical Society and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the Christopher Zeeman Medal.
The LMS and IMA want to honour mathematicians who have excelled in promoting mathematics and engaging with the general public. They may be academic mathematicians based in universities, mathematics school teachers, industrial mathematicians, those working in the financial sector or indeed mathematicians from any number of other fields.
Most importantly, these mathematicians will have worked exceptionally to bring mathematics to a non-specialist audience. Whether it is through giving public lectures, writing books, appearing on radio or television, organising events or through an entirely separate medium, the LMS and IMA want to celebrate the achievements of mathematicians who work to inspire others.
In a joint statement, the presidents of the LMS and IMA said, “We are delighted to be able to show how much we need and value mathematicians who can promote their subject successfully. This role is vital to inspiring the next generation of mathematicians as well as helping the wider public to enjoy mathematics.”
The award is named after Professor Sir Christopher Zeeman, FRS, whose notable career was pioneering not only in his fields of topology and catastrophe theory but who was also ground breaking in bringing his beloved mathematics to the wider public.
Sir Christopher was the first mathematician to be asked to deliver the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures in 1978, a full 160 years since they began. His “Mathematics into pictures” lectures, have been cited by many young UK mathematicians as their inspiration. They also led to the creation of the Ri’s Mathematics Masterclasses, weekly lectures delivered to schoolchildren across the UK via a network of 50 centres.
Sir Christopher’s skill as a communicator has been recognised in the wider community. In 1988, he was the third recipient of the Royal Society’s Faraday Prize, awarded annually to a scientist or engineer who has excelled in communicating science to public audiences. His award was made “for the contributions he has made to the popularization of mathematics”.
On the announcement of the medal, Sir Christopher said, “I am extremely honoured to have such an important award bear my name. I hope this medal will encourage more mathematicians to see communicating their work to the wider public as a key part of their role.”
Nominations for the medal are now invited. To receive a nomination form, please contact:
The Secretary to the Christopher Zeeman Medal
London Mathematical Society
De Morgan House
57-58 Russell Square
London
WC1B 4HS
or email prizes@lms.ac.uk. Forms should be returned by February 2008.
Notes for Editors
1. The Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA) is the professional and learned society for qualified and practising mathematicians. Its mission is to promote mathematics in industry, business, the public sector, education and research. Founded in 1964, the Institute now has 5500 members. Ten percent of members live outside the United Kingdom. Forty percent of members are employed in education (schools through to universities), and the other 60% work in commercial and governmental organisations. In 1990 the Institute was incorporated by Royal Charter and was subsequently granted the right to award chartered mathematician status.
2. The London Mathematical Society (LMS) is the UK’s learned society for mathematics. Founded in 1865 for the promotion and extension of mathematical knowledge, the Society is concerned with all branches of mathematics and its applications. It is an independent and self-financing charity, with a membership of over 2600 drawn from all parts of the UK and overseas. Its principal activities are the organisation of meetings and conferences, the publication of periodicals and books, the provision of financial support for mathematical activities, and the contribution to public debates on issues related to mathematics research and education. It works collaboratively with other mathematical bodies worldwide. It is the UK adhering body to the International Mathematical Union and is a member of the Council for the Mathematical Sciences, which comprises the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, the Royal Statistical Society together with the London Mathematical Society.
3. The Christopher Zeeman Medal was instituted by the IMA and LMS in honour of Professor Sir Christopher Zeeman FRS, President of the LMS between 1986 and 1988. The Medal is awarded triennially to an eminent mathematician involved in promoting mathematics to the public and engaging with the public in mathematics in the UK.
Since Sir Christopher, two mathematicians have given the Ri Christmas lectures: in 1997, Professor Ian Stewart spoke on “The Magical Maze” and last year Professor Marcus du Sautoy spoke on “The Num8er My5teries”.
Sir Christopher became Gresham professor of geometry at Gresham College in 1988, where he delivered a programme of free public lectures on mathematics. He retired from this post in 1994.
He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society (FRS) in 1975.
4. For further information contact:
Caroline Davis
Mathematics Promotion Unit
De Morgan House
57–58 Russell Square
London
WC1B 4HS.
Tel: 020 7927 0804
caroline.davis@lms.ac.uk
The Alchemist Cafe talks are usually held in the Mercantile pub. It’s an informal envirnoment where anyone can for the price of a print explore cutting edge and topical developments in science and technology. The aim of the Alchemist cafe is to promote and engage the public with science and it certainly does what it says on the tin! My friends and I attended a fascinating talk on: Why some people get Malaria and others don’t by Prof. Luke O’Neil. Well done to Luke for pitching the talk at the right level. Even though my friends who varied greatly in their knowledge of Immunology everyone came away with a better understanding and appreciation for the research carried out and its value in furthering modern medicine. After such a positive and inspiring experience I am definately going to the next lecture. Hope to see you there :) Next lecture is:Magic or Maths?Andrew Jeffrey: Award-winning Magician and one of England’s top Mentalists. Is he magical, a mind-reader, a mathematician or just mad? Probably a bit of all four, to be honest, but why not find out for yourself? Andrew will amaze you with his seemingly impossible feats, many of which work by the use of simple but well-disguised mathematical principles. This show is fun, interactive, amazing and totally unique.Date: 15th of October 2007Location: The Mercantile, Dame St Time: 7:45pmAdmission: Free-All Welcome!Complimentary Food will be provided
Hi everyone! I have just finished my thesis yesterday all typed and bound…too much colour and too many pages feeling broke it was 115 euros (95 in Reads plus 20 to college for the leather binding). Could have been worse though the girl was so blonde and printed it all in colour thats 70 cent a sheet and was quoted over 250 euros..scary eh? Any way thankfully I questioned it and was only charged 95 euros. It is still ridiculous for a bit of printing but at least it looks professional and it is over. No more college til the PhD :b well Ross is convinced I will go back to college…hmmm the Dr. thing is quite a motivation.
I will put up the abstract when I get my result :) I want to take this opportunity to thank Ross for his unwavering love and support throughout the years.
LOL I was going through my survey results and Kitten Cannon was cited as game played during class time. I thought I would try it out…firstly the music is kinda annoying!! Secondly, where’s the educational value in using a kitten as a projectile? I can understand if you really had to ustilise your knowledge of physics to prefect your score then maybe. However this game requires is just about luck. So it probably just a babysitting device :) that keeps the kids entertain…
I was googling and I came across this website initiative intended to increase the number of girls taking science and inspire them to consider science as a serious career path.
“A report by the National Center for Education Standards, Trends in Educational Equity of Girls and Women (2000), noted that in fourth grade the number of girls and boys who like math and science is about the same but by eighth grade twice as many boys as girls show an interest in these subjects” [taken from the parent teacher section of the website]
The main objective of the website created by the National Academy of Sciences intended is to showcase the varied careers of prominent contemporary female scientist in a format that is accessible to young women. Even though personally I haven’t heard of the female scientists listed here thats probably just ignorance on my part I found the site really enjoyable and easy to navigate. Go girl power!!