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Here is a round-up of faculty events at October's Manchester Science Festival
This popular event held inside Stockport Air Raid Shelters, sold out. 40 visitors engaged with scientists Matthew Southgate, James Redfern and Jonathan Butler, at four stations mapped on a circular route through Stockport's Air Raid Shelters. The aim was to raise awareness of our research on the theme of exploring the invisible.
One station, led by Matthew Southgate, demonstrated work in radar and security scanning, and the other three focused on antimicrobial resistance. At the tunnel nursing station, Jane Brooks (University of Manchester) and Carol Haig used storytelling to describe the role of nurses in the treatment of infection pre- and post- antibiotics. The search for new antibiotics station was led by James Redfern and visitors took swabs around the tunnels to see what microorganisms could be found. Jonathan Butler led demonstrations on research on alternatives to antimicrobials. Visitors asked lots of questions, and really enjoyed the practical swabbing activities (the agar plates were photographed after incubation and the images were posted on Flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/mmu-engage/albums/72157687145042170 )
On Saturday 28 October, students and staff from the faculties of Science & Engineering, Education, Arts & Humanities, Health Psychology and Social Care, and the Environment Team teamed up to deliver a day of interactive science activities at the Wythensahwe Forum as part of the Manchester Science Festival and the Crafts Council’s Make:Shift:Do initiative. Over 200 families had the chance to create electronic circuits, draw robots, write science stories, and find out more about health and sustainability in a cross-faculty initiative that was enjoyed by all.
Academic colleagues engaged with experts from the European Commission on critical agendas such as energy and climate change, biofuels and hydrogen fuel-cells. 96 people attended and speakers included Bamidele Adebisi, Andrew Dean and Sam Rowley-Neale.
There was also a poem about climate change written by Sam Illingworth and MetMunch supplied some very tasty algae cupcakes which the audience loved.
The event was captured on film and is still in production. The hashtag for the event was #mcrgloballocal. Follow up will include a visit to the Netherlands to see the European Commission's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Facility.
Professor Joanna Verran provided the science input to post-screening discussion of the film Dawson City: Frozen Time, along with Marion Hewitt (North West Film Archive NWFA) and Bill Morrison, film producer. The film described the discovery of gold in the Yukon territory, and the resultant goldrush which led to the building of Dawson City. Theatres and cinemas were built to entertain the miners, and many silent movies were stored after they had been screened across America. Eventually hundreds of reels were buried beneath an ice hockey rink to stabilize the floor. These films lay undiscovered for decades. The movie described the story which included recovery and conservation. The soundtrack and production of Dawson City: Frozen time was wonderful. The screening took place at HOME. Jo had previously worked with the NWFA looking at fungal deterioration of film (see the University short film about the project). Bill Morrison is working with the Science Festival on a major event for next year. An audience of around 60 watched the film, and asked many stimulating questions.
The British Science Association (BSA) launched their ‘film night’ project during Manchester Science Festival with a screening of ‘The Girl with All the Gifts’, an arthouse movie based on the novel of the same name. A fungal infection that causes zombie-like symptoms has destroyed the country. A small group of survivors are accompanied by a young girl who seems to have developed a symbiotic relationship with the fungus. The future of humanity is in question. Joanna Verran and David Kirby (University of Manchester) led a Q&A session after the screening, focusing on the nature of the film and the accuracy of science in the film, and in the movies in general. Jo runs a bookclub (http://www2.mmu.ac.uk/engage/what-we-do/bad-bugs-bookclub/) and this book had been one of their discussion topics. BSA provided soft drinks and popcorn to complete the cinematic experience for the 50+ members of the audience.
Pi was based around how blood vessels are damaged in conditions with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (eg diabetes, Lupus and inflammation). In particular atherosclerosis and how blood vessels can become blocked and calcified was explored. Visitors were able to examine various blood vessel specimens from patients with cardiovascular disease using a virtual and real microscope. There was a short powerpoint presentation and posters outlining cardiovascular disease risk and how patient blood and tissue samples are analysed in the laboratory, along with 3-D models of organs affected by diabetes, diabetic foot ulcers, diseased blood vessels and hearts to put the microscope images into context.
There was a real buzz around the whole Pi area, with a great variety of stands and activities to take part in. There were around 2,200 visitors, including families, young people and individuals, who were highly intrigued by our research demonstrations and the implications of lifestyle on their own health. The 3-D models were a good access point to the stand, since they caught the eye of passers-by. Younger visitors really enjoyed the computer game, plasticine modelling, the stickers and were fascinated by the microscope.
Participants
Dr Fiona Wilkinson, Dr Ria Weston, Dr Gary Sidgwick, Dr Daniel Moreno-Martinez, Miss Shikha Tandel, Prof Yvonne Alexander, Miss Juwaryah Sajid, Dr May Azzawi, Dr Cai Astley, Mr Fahad Alsehli, Dr Stephen White, Dr Sandro Satta, Mr Glenn Ferris, Mr Ryan Riley, Mrs Nicola Edwards, Miss Francesca Bartoli-Leonard, Mrs Sarah Daniels.
Two sessions were run to accommodate a total of 24 visitors with the second session, held on a Saturday afternoon, sold out.
The event was chaired by Bronwen Simpson (Hatworks Museum, Stockport) and Jane Wood (Manchester Met). Jane provided the ‘vegetable leather’ and explained the environmental impact of the textile industry and therefore the need for more sustainable and eco friendly sources for materials. Bronwen showed some fundamentals of millinery and the participants were encouraged to try these techniques with pieces of vegetable leather.
Everyone was keen to get their hands on the ‘new’ material as the event had attracted both experienced milliners and those with an interest in sustainability. To cater for the mix of abilities, participants were shown how to make accessories rather than full hats (brooches, hair clips, hair combs). Every participant successfully created a unique piece to take home and all of these were photographed for the HatWorks blog.
There were lots of questions around the material and many asked how they could grow their own versions. To facilitate this, each participant was given a recipe card, showing how to grow material in their own kitchen.
In response to the very positive reception, Jane and Bronwen are in discussion to create a vegan themed event at Hatworks in 2018.