Join U3A members and explore science through a variety of fascinating talks.
Programme
1.15pm Audience arrives
1.45pm Introduction by Martin Davies, Public Programme Manager, Royal Institution.
Jo Ruxton: A Plastic Ocean – Behind the Scenes
Producer Jo Ruxton will talk about her eight year journey to make the multi-award-winning documentary feature, ‘A Plastic Ocean’. She will show clips from the film including unseen footage, talk about the lessons she learned as the storyline continued to change and evolve and why she never gave up even when there was no funding in sight to continue production and finish the film. Filming took place in 22 locations around the world and shows how the scourge of our plastic waste is affecting communities as well as every living creature in the ocean. It ends with a message that is impossible to ignore and shows the many solutions that can turn the tide on this problem and restore the balance.
2.20pm Question and answer session (15 minutes)
2.35pm Andrew Pontzen: What made our Universe
Our Universe is an astonishingly large and rich place. But how did it begin, and why has it ended up looking as it does? In this talk UCL’s Andrew Pontzen will explore how human ingenuity has been able to rewind time and uncover the origins of the cosmos.
3.10pm Question and answer session (15 minutes)
3.25pm Tea and coffee (30 minutes)
3.55pm Jennifer Rogers: Living is a risky business
Real life involves risks, whether it’s cycling without a helmet, travelling to a country with contagious diseases, or living in a house next to a river. Sometimes your perception of risk is distorted, making you think some things are more – or less – risky than is actually the case. How statistically significant are the risks that we see? What do the numbers mean? And what are own personal relationships with risk? Jen Rogers delves into the numbers to show you how statistics can help you to make better decisions about risky activities.
4.30pm Question and answer session (15 minutes)
4.45pm Thanks & Close of meeting
