Category: Science Group

Science

At our November meeting Chris Garner gave a very interesting illustrated talk about working in the oil industry.

Chris has operated in many locations across the world and his talk had a focus on his experience whilst working for the American company Marathon extracting from an oil field in Gabon Africa.

He explained how the crude oil is extracted from underwater shale deposits and the difference between oil rigs and oil platforms.

The photograph shows Chris with some of his colleagues on board the platform.

After the break members were selected at random to start the 5 minute talks about their chosen scientist.

Liz Attenborough, John Berrill and Helen Rose were randomly selected to talk about Rosalind Franklin, Evangelista Torricelli and Archimedes who is seen below.

December 20th Meeting

We will continue with some of the 5 minute talks together with a mini festive activity and a science based Quingo quiz with prizes and mince pies.

David Rose

Our next meeting is on 15^th November at 10am to 11.50am.

Part 1 

Chris Garner has a presentation about the oil industry with a particular reference to his time spent on oil rigs in different parts of the world.

Part 2

We begin our 5-minute talks about our chosen scientists.

Terry Hill has volunteered to start the process after which the next speaker will be selected at random so like all good boy and girl scouts its best to ‘Be Prepared’

David Rose

At the September meeting we started with a presentation about the very early days of coal mining with its hard physical labour and long working hours.

Bob Gow was on hand to explain about the difference mechanisation made to productivity and associated improvements in safety.

We then considered how coal and oil were formed and how both products were not only used as fuel but as the starting point for a range of fuel types and products e.g. plastics.

After the break we revisited the theme of ‘fast fashion waste.’

Discarded material and clothing can be recycled or reformed as something else.

Science member Sue Naylor recycles and remakes with discarded material, using it to make ‘drain bags’. She showed some examples of the ‘drain bags’ she makes for both Kings Mill and the City Hospital. The bags help with patient dignity as the actual drain bag they are attached to fits into Sue’s cloth bag. She would welcome any surplus material you may have – it must be washable and cotton/polycotton is ideal. Old duvet covers, curtains, sheets etc are ideal.

Sue amazingly has made 3500 since 2017 – and her husband David has ironed 3500 since 2017.

If you have any suitable material to spare please contact Sue and Dave at:

dave.naylor@talktalk.net

To end the meeting members selected a named scientist from a list of 41 scientists who have made valuable contributions to science and society. Their homework is to prepare a short presentation about what they achieved.

*An opportunity for all members:*

A presentation about aspects of Dementia

Dementia is a syndrome of brain decline that affects memory, thinking, language, mood and behaviour.

Different types of dementia can affect people differently, and everyone will experience symptoms in their own way.

Many of us have experienced it to some degree through its effect on family and friends.

This is an open invitation to come along to the Science group meeting on

 Friday 20^th September from 10am to approx 11.15am in the main hall at JGC.

 We are delighted to host a presentation from Dr Alison Cowley and Dr Collins about their current research and clinical work around aspects of Dementia.

If you are not a science group member and wish to join this meeting please send a brief email to:

davidrose98835@gmail.com

There was no meeting in August.

Our September meeting is on Friday 20^th September from 10am.

 We are delighted to host a presentation from Dr Alison Cowley and Dr Collins about their current research and clinical work around aspects of Dementia.

For more details please see the additional information in this newsletter.