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Astrobiology & Natural Sciences: Finding Life On Other Planets – Tutorial With Dr Sarah Gretton, Society For Natural Sciences
19th October 2022 @ 16:15 - 17:00
In this live interactive Astrobiology/Natural Sciences tutorial, we will be joined by Dr Sarah Gretton, Associate Professor, Natural Sciences (Life and Physical Sciences) Programme Director and Admissions Tutor at the University of Leicester. In this session, Sarah represents the Society for Natural Sciences, a national learned society that promotes interdisciplinary science education and research.
This live tutorial will follow an introductory lecture on the Drake Equation (available below), which is used to estimate the number of communicative extra-terrestrials in our galaxy. In the tutorial students will consider each of the terms of the equation evaluating astronomical, biological, and psychological/sociological factors to arrive at the probability of the number of active technically advanced civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy.
A-level, BTEC, T-level and IB links to: Physics (gravity, particles), Biology (proteins, nucleic acids), Chemistry (redox reactions, electronegativity)
The full context/introduction to this live and interactive discussion is provided in the recorded resource below. This recording can be watched as a class activity or independently in preparation for the activity on 4th July.
Students will also have the opportunity to discuss Natural Sciences and the great study opportunities offered by a range of universities, along with related employability and careers in this field.
Lecturer Biography (Please Click): Dr Sarah Gretton
About Natural Sciences Natural Sciences is the study of our physical world, exploring scientific and related topics without being confined by the boundaries of traditional disciplines. Natural Sciences degrees allow students to study more than one discipline at undergraduate level, combining subjects that match their own interests, enabling them to discover where their passions lie. While the specific structures of Natural Sciences programmes in the UK vary, they all provide a degree experience that encourages interdisciplinary thinking and takes students beyond discipline silos. This benefits not only graduates who choose to work in interdisciplinary areas but also brings a wider perspective to those who move into a single discipline. This seminar is sponsored by the Society for Natural Sciences and covers a typical Natural Sciences subject area: medical imaging and the contribution of interdisciplinary science to human health.
Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. This means that sessions will continue irrespective of possible school closures.
As a live, participative event, this session will not be recorded but the scene setting recorded lecture above will continue to be accessible.
Suitable for: Year 12 & 13 students, and equivalent, studying Science, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Earth Sciences.
Preparation or Pre-Reading: Students are asked to watch the above recording and consider some of the key issues, questions and techniques that are introduced.
The IT Setup: The event will be run on Bluejeans and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the university academic via a microphone and/or typed comments and questions. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.
Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below: