SciBars

Quantum Theory is true, it has been tested over and over again. It is used in technology, and there are many amazing experiments around the world exploiting Nature’s guilty little secret. Whether scientists are watching molecules being waves and particles at the same time, making balls of ultra-cold levitated trapped atoms, trying to make things you can see be in two places at once, or even just sending your bank details 100% securely, they are using Quantum Physics.

Have you ever seen a Quantum experiment? It’s likely not, and The Quantum Workshop team will show you real experiments that are used to probe the odd nature of this most enigmatic of theories, in an interactive way. Who knows, we may even find some new science on the way!

Mark combines two careers – one as a successful writer/comedian (writing for stage, radio and print) and another as an expert in future narratives, institutional innovation, engineered serendipity and learning – working with everyone from schoolchildren to the boards of multinational corporations. He is co-founder of Lea(r)n into the Curve, a fellow of the RSA, Nibmaster General at the Ministry of Stories, special advisor to the Virgin Earth Challenge and founder of the League of Pragmatic Optimists.

In this SciBar, we’ll have a look at the things we know very well – Climate science 19th Century style – and then bring things up to date to look at the way that we can begin to learn more about the details and particularly thinking about whether we are looking at a stormy future!

Dr. Andy Russell is a lecturer in climate science at Brunel University, London. His research focuses on the European storm environment and Antarctic climate dynamics. He is an Associate Editor of Atmospheric Science Letters and a Fellow of Royal Meteorological Society. He often comments on weather and climate issues in the media. He can be found on Twitter or WordPress

Ever since records began, in every known society, a substantial proportion of the population has reported unusual experiences many of which we would today label as “paranormal”. Opinion polls show that the majority of the general public accepts that paranormal phenomena do occur. Such widespread experience of and belief in the paranormal can only mean one of two things.

Either the paranormal is real, in which case this should be accepted by the wider scientific community which currently rejects such claims; or else belief in and experience of ostensibly paranormal phenomena can be fully explained in terms of psychological factors. Prof. Christopher French will provide an introduction to the sub-discipline of anomalistic psychology, which may be defined as the study of extraordinary phenomena of behaviour and experience, in an attempt to provide non-paranormal explanations in terms of known psychological and physical factors. This approach will be illustrated with examples relating to a range of ostensibly paranormal phenomena.

Martin Archer, resident Kiss FM DJ and Space Plasma Physicist will be using the latest club tunes (and fire!) to demonstrate the physics behind sound and explain how DJing can help to explain cutting edge areas of scientific research.

Science communicator and internet phenomenon, Ben Good will be showing us how music can be used to convey complex scientific ideas before he takes to the stage with his blues band “The Lab Rats” to give us a practical demonstration.

Then, after the learning part is done, Ed Drummond will take to the decks, spinning classic tunes into the early hours of your Saturday morning (vouging is strongly encouraged).

Rob Eastaway is best known for his bestselling books “Why do buses come in threes?” and “Maths for Mums & Dads”. He is Director of Maths Inspiration, a national programme of theatre-based lectures for teenagers, and is regularly to be heard on national radio talking about the maths of everyday life. He has given talks to just about every type of audience, ranging from the Edinburgh Fringe to the inmates of Pentonville Prison – and one thing that connects those audiences is that they all fancy a good bet.

Date: Thursday 3rd May 2012
Time: 7pm, for a 7.30pm start
Place: Upstairs at The Lamb, 92 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ [gmap]
Cost: Free

He will discuss how in some cases this interest in a ‘trans-‘ or ‘post-‘ human future lies in finding more scientifically adventurous means for realizing classically humanistic aims, but in other cases it is traceable to an abandonment of humanity as a category for understanding and even governing the world.

Date: Wednesday 11th April 2012
Time: 7pm, for a 7.30pm start
Place: Upstairs at The Lamb, 92 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ [gmap]
Cost: Free

Dick Strawbridge has been in the army, contributed his expertise on engineering and environmental issues on TV and has the best moustache in showbiz. Currently based in Cornwall he aims to live as green a life as possible, using renewable energy and environmentally friendly resources. He will call on all of these experiences to discuss being a green engineer.

Finishing his career in the army as a Lieutenant Colonel, he is best known for his TV work including Scrapheap Challenge and Coast as well as appearing alongside his family in It’s Not Easy Being Green.

Date: Thursday 1st March 2012
Time: 7pm, for a 7.30pm start
Place: Upstairs at The Lamb, 92 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ [gmap]
Cost: Free

Join Dr. Tali Sharot, a neuroscientist working at University College London, as she will take us on a tour of the irrationally positive brain. Tali will explain how the brain generates hope and what happens when it fails; how the brains of optimists and pessimists differ; why we are terrible at predicting what will make us happy; how emotions strengthen our ability to recollect; how anticipation and dread affect us; and how our optimistic illusions affect our financial, professional, and emotional decisions.

Date: Thursday 26th January 2012
Time: 7pm, for a 7.30pm start
Place: Upstairs at The Lamb, 92 Lambs Conduit Street, WC1N 3LZ [gmap]
Cost: Free