Reading Science Week 2010
SATURDAY 13TH MARCH ________________________________________ Science
Busking Saturday 13th March; 12:00 - 15:00 Broad Street, Reading Come see
science in action live in the centre of Reading with lots of fizzing,
whizzing, banging and clanging right in front of your eyes! From 12pm to
3pm, science buskers will be performing lots of fun and funky science
throughout the afternoon, free for all to see and enjoy!
FREE, suitable for everyone.
Organised by:
British Science Association (Thames Valley Branch)
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Star gazing: exploring the Universe from the comfort of Reading
Saturday 13th March; from 19:30
Dinton Pastures Country Park (Davis Street, Hurst, Berkshire RG10 0TH)
Ever wanted to explore the Universe but can't get a ride on a rocket? Join
us for an evening of Star Gazing at Dinton Pastures Country Park, where
local astronomers will use telescopes to guide you through views of the
planets, stars and other delights of the night sky. This event will be held
outdoors so warm clothing and sensible shoes are advised. We will have the
use of the pavilion building and hot drinks will be available. The site is
wheelchair and pushchair accessible. Please note that what you see will
depend on the amount of cloud cover on the night.
FREE, suitable for everyone.
Organised by: British Science Association (Thames Valley Branch) Reading
Astronomical Society (www.readingastro.org.uk/) Dinton Pastures Country
Park (www.wokingham.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/parks/country-parks/dinton/)
SUNDAY 14TH MARCH
________________________________________
Meet Mother Nature
Sunday 14th March; 12:00 - 15:00
Caversham Court Gardens (Church Road, Caversham RG4 7AD)
Come and Meet Mother Nature and all of her diversity on Mothering Sunday.
There will be lots of fun activities for all the family including insect
crafts, worm charming and more. It will be a great opportunity to find out
about the biodiversity of Reading and beyond and an opportunity for you to
get involved in discovering and conserving Mother Nature.
FREE, suitable for everyone.
For more information about the Caversham Court Gardens please see
http://www.reading.gov.uk/leisureandculture/parksandopenspaces/fulllistofparksandopenspaces/General.asp?id=SX9452-A77F8FD9
Organised by:
British Science Association (Thames Valley Branch)
MONDAY 15TH MARCH ________________________________________ Café
Scientifique: Psychotherapy without a Therapist - a 21st Century solution
Monday 15th March; 19:30 start Déjà vu Bar and Eatery (61 St. Mary's Butts,
Reading, RG1 2LG; 0118 957 3500)
Come and explore the latest ideas in science in the informal setting of a
pub! Join Dr David Purves for a controversial discussion about the use of
computer software to replace therapists for the treatment of depression and
anxiety.
We have inherited a long legacy of inadequate and poor treatment of common
mental health problems. There are vast numbers of people worldwide who
suffer from depression and anxiety, and yet, society is stuck on the idea
that these problems require a human therapist to treat these conditions.
Herein lies the problem; human therapists are expensive to train and employ
in large enough numbers to meet the high demand. Let us suppose the same
treatment outcomes could be achieved by a computer program delivered
on-demand, in which case, the problems associated with the treatment of
depression and anxiety would largely be solved. Such a change in strategy
would help with the timely delivery of treatment, relieve significant
financial burden and empower patients to take control over their own mental
health care.
Dr David Purves is a Visiting Research Fellow at London Metropolitan
University and a pioneer in the development and delivery of computer-based
psychological treatments.
All Café Scientifique Reading events take place at Déjà vu Bar and Eatery
(61 St. Mary's Butts, Reading, RG1 2LG; 0118 957 3500). They take place on
selected Monday evenings throughout the year and start at 7.30pm. There is
no entry fee and all are welcome.
www.reading.ac.uk/cafesci
FREE, suitable for adults aged 18+.
Organised/ supported by:
British Science Association (Thames Valley Branch)
University of Reading (www.reading.ac.uk/cafesci)
TUESDAY 16TH MARCH ________________________________________ Public Lecture
Series: Functional Foods: Good Science or marketing hype? Professor Bob
Rastall, Head of the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences Tuesday
16th March; 20:00 Palmer Building, Whiteknights Campus, University of
Reading
Food products designed to have a positive impact on health, such as pre-
and probiotics, are being increasingly marketed. They promise a significant
impact on public health with prevention of disease being better than cure.
Because we are living longer as a society, these products clearly have a
role to play in promoting a long and healthy life. But how much do they
really contribute to good health? This lecture will explain the science of
functional foods and look at the kind of claims made by the manufacturers -
are they supported by the science?
FREE, suitable for young people and adults.
Organised by:
University of Reading (www.reading.ac.uk/publiclectureseries)
WEDNESDAY 17TH MARCH
________________________________________
THURSDAY 18TH MARCH ________________________________________ Working with
the Volcano Thursday 18th March; 19:30 start Seminar Room, Environmental
Systems Science Centre, Harry Pitt Building, Earley Gate, University of
Reading
What it is like to live and work on an erupting volcano? Soufriere Hills
Volcano on the Caribbean island of Montserrat has been erupting on and off
for fifteen years. During a special evening hosted by Reading's own volcano
expert Professor Geoff Wadge, find out about the volcanic activity and how
the scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory monitor it. Then take
part in a live video link-up to Montserrat for a discussion with Dr Henry
Odbert, one of the scientists working at the volcano.
FREE, suitable for young people and adults. Booking advised, please contact
Kathie Bowden on 0118 378 7765 or [log in to unmask]
Organised by:
Environmental Systems Science Centre (www.nerc-essc.ac.uk/)
University of Reading (www.reading.ac.uk)
Montserrat Volcano Observatory (www.montserratvolcanoobservatory.info/)
FRIDAY 19TH MARCH
SATURDAY 20TH MARCH
________________________________________
We Create: Life on earth
Saturday 20th March; 12:00 - 15:00
RISC roof garden
Join us to celebrate National Science and Engineering Week by unleashing
the artist in you to explore the diversity and variety of life on RISC's
roof garden. By drawing, painting and taking pictures (bring your own
digital camera) you will discover medicinal plants and edibles, useful
materials for building and essential creepy crawlies. The images created
will be pieced together to form a giant collage reflecting the benefits
that a diverse landscape can offer us.
FREE, suitable for everyone.
Organised by:
British Science Association (Thames Valley Branch)
RISC - Reading International Solidarity Centre (www.risc.org.uk)
www.britishscienceassociation.org/readingscienceweek
You may want to also join our Facebook group here
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=113206696336
or by searching for Science in Reading on Facebook.
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