The Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE)

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Young People and Schools / RSE @ Schools

RSE @ Schools talks are available for P6/P7 and all secondary school years. They aim to enthuse and excite students about a wide range of topics such as astronomy, chemistry, genetics, culture and the arts, and maths. A wide variety of speakers contribute to the programme, keen to share their enthusiasm for their subjects with students.

The RSE offers talks to schools at various locations across Scotland, principally outwith the Central Belt. Lasting about 45 minutes, talks are followed by time for discussion. The speakers are all experienced in talking to school students, and talks are illustrated with lively demonstrations and slides.

Most talks can be adapted to a range of age groups and many have strong thematic links with units in the curriculum, which have been highlighted on our posters. Download a copy of the poster for a talk to find out more

The RSE @ Schools talks aim to convey the fascination of a topic and to enthuse pupils about the relationship between subjects studied at school and their daily lives.

Click here to contact the Education Team for more information or click the links below to view lecture topics and the current programme. Please note talk titles change frequently, so a lecture listed in the current programme may no longer be available.

Lecture Topics / 2008-2009 Programme / 2009-2010 Programme

Lecture Topics

Language and Literature
Shakespeare's language in context or Patterns of Poetry download poster	14+	Professor Jeremy J Smith	University of Glasgow
Who is Robert Burns? download poster		Pauline Gray	PhD Research Student
Art and Science
Art meets Science - Science meets Art download poster	16+	Professor Roy Burdon	University of Strathclyde
Biology
Encapsulating Field Studies: The reticulate patterns of fungi download poster	14+	Professor Roy Watling	Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
From Global Warming to Aids:The role of fungi in everyday life download poster	14+	Professor Roy Watling	Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
Fungi: What would we do without them? download poster	14+	Professor Roy Watling	Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
Throwing Light on the Human Genome. download poster	16+	Professor Wendy Bickmore	Medical Research Council/University of Edinburgh
The Suffering Gene download poster	14+	Professor Roy H Burdon	Emeritus Professor of Molecular Biology University of Strathclyde
Watching Genes or Why do we do Science download poster	14+	Dr Jonathon Chubb	University of Dundee
What does your Granny have in common with a Spaceman? Download Poster	all	Dr Val Mann	University of Edinburgh Medical School

Biology/Geography
Bacteria live in Communities download poster	14+	Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall	University of Dundee
Where there?s muck there?s money: Remediating Contaminated Land download poster	16+	Professor Ken Killham	University of Aberdeen

Forensic Science
DNA Profiling ? Its use in famous cases download poster	16+	Dr Adrian Linacre	University of Strathclyde
Solving Crime and Murder download poster	16+	Professor Anthony Busuttil	University of Edinburgh Medical School
Facial Reconstruction download poster only available in Dundee area	16+	Dr Caroline Wilkinson	University of Dundee
Forensic Art download poster only available in Dundee area	11+	Caroline Needham	Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art
Who are You? download poster	14+	Professor Sue Black	University of Dundee

Chemistry
Capturing Colour With Chemistry download poster * lecture unavailable until further notice	All	Dr Greig Chisholm	Ciba Speciality Chemicals Ltd
Chemistry is Magic download poster	11+	Dr Christine Davidson	University of Strathclyde
Mirrors, Medicines and Metals download poster * Susan Armstrong's lectures are available in Fife, Tayside and Edinburgh only.	16+	Dr Susan Armstrong	University of Glasgow
Soap Bubbles and Membranes download poster * lecture unavailable until further notice	All	Dr Ciaran Ewins	University of Paisley

Engineering
Seven Industrial Wonders of the world - The Bellrock Lighthouse download poster	16+	Professor Roland Paxton	Heriot-Watt University, ICE.

Geography/Physics
Earthquakes at Home and Abroad download poster	All	Alice Walker	British Geological Survey

Physics
Antarctica (You can go far with physics) download poster	11+	Alison McClure	Institute of Physics
Wasted Heat. Why not build a Solar Farm@ download poster	14+	Rory O'Riordan
Bridge Building download poster	All	Professor Miles Padgett	University of Glasgow
Does God Play Dice? download poster	16+	Professor Miles Padgett	University of Glasgow
Lasing Down The Internet download poster	14+	Professor Thomas Krauss	University of St Andrews
Seeing Life Through a new Light download poster	11+	Claire Patterson Science Communicator	University of St Andrews
Serpents and Synthesisers download poster	All	Professor Murray Campbell	University of Edinburgh
How does a Sailboat Sail? download poster	All	Dr Sabrina Malpede	Scottish Enterprise/RSE Enterprise Fellow
How does a Modern Aero-Engine Work? download poster	All	Dr Sabrina Malpede	Scottish Enterprise/RSE Enterprise Fellow

Physics/IT
Moving Pictures: From DVDs to Videophones download poster	11+	Dr Iain Richardson	Robert Gordon University

Physics/ Maths
Maths is Best or Big is Beautiful download poster	12+	Professor Adam McBride	University of Strathclyde
The Unpredictability of Life download poster * lecture unavailable until further notice	Primary-13	Dr Des Johnston	Heriot-Watt University

Maths/Engineering
Mathematics Matters	11+	Dr Bruce Davies	Heriot-Watt University

Astronomy
A Guided Tour of the Universe download poster	All	Professor Henry Ellington	Formerly Robert Gordon University
Black Holes and Small Bangs download poster	11+	Professor Alan Heavens	University of Edinburgh
The Big Bang and the Little Echo download poster	11+	Professor Alan Heavens	University of Edinburgh
Black Holes and White Rabbits download poster	All	Professor John Brown	University of Glasgow
Setting Sail for Orbit download poster	14+	Professor Colin McInnes	University of Strathclyde
Supernovae ? dying stars and the birthplace of life download poster	All	Professor John Brown	University of Glasgow
The Birth and Death of the Sun download poster	All	Professor Henry Ellington	Formerly Robert Gordon University
Captain Cook and the Cosmic Yardstick download poster	13+	Dr Martin Hendry*	University of Glasgow
*Dr Hendry offers several other lectures. Click here to download a full list


2009-2010 Programme (6 October 2009 - 4 October 2010)
23 April 2010	Black Holes and White Rabbits. Professor John Brown. Baltasound Junior High School, Shetland.
17 November 2009	The Suffering Gene, and Science meets Art, Art meets Science. Dr James Close. St John's School, Dundee.
6 November 2009	Bacteria live in communities. Dr Nicola Stanley-Wall. Coatbridge High
4 November 2009	Antarctica - You can go far with physics. Alison McClure. Mary Erskine School
3 November 2009	A Guided Tour of the Universe. Professor Henry Ellington. Webster's High School, Kirriemuir
6 October 2009	Who are You? Professor Sue Black. Tobermory High School
2008-2009 Programme (1 October 2008 - 5 October 2009)
25 September 2009	Throwing Light on the Human Genome. Professor Wendy Bickmore. Douglas Academy, East Dunbartonshire
8 September 2009	Black Holes and Small Bangs. Professor Alan Heavens. Aberdeen
7 September 2009	Black Holes and Small Bangs. Professor Alan Heavens. Balwearie High, Kirkcaldy
31 August 2009	Lasing down the internet. Professor Thomas Krauss. St Andrews High, Coatbridge
18 June 2009	Forensic Art. Caroline Needham. Forfar Academy
15 & 16 June 2009	The Issues Facing Science in the 21st Century - Your challenges for the future? Professor John Coggins. Jordanhill School, Glasgow.
06 March 2009	Black Holes and White Rabbits by Professor John Brown. St Thomas Primary School
26 February 2009	Lazing Down the Internet by Professor Thomas Krauss. George Watsons School
17 December 2008	DNA Profiling: Its use inf famous cases. Dr Adrian Linacre. James Watt College, Kilwinning
16 December 2008	Solving Crime and Murder. Professor A Busuttil. James Watt College, Kilwinning
16 December 2008	DNA Profiling: Its use inf famous cases. Dr Adrian Linacre. James Watt College, Greenock
16 December 2008	Forensic Art lecture and workshop. Caroline Needham. St John’s
9 December 2008	The Bell Rock Lighthouse and the Stevenson Family. Arbroath Academy
5 December 2008	Who are you? by Professor Sue Black. Tobermory School. (Cancelled)
6 November 2008	Who are you? by Professor Sue Black. Webster's High School, Kirriemuir
6 November 2008	Antarctica.(You can go far with physics). Alison McLure - IOP. Webster's High School, Kirriemuir
5 November 2008	Lazing Down the Internet by Professor Thomas Krauss. Largs Academy
21 October 2008	Antarctica.(You can go far with physics). Alison McLure - IOP. Crieff High School
2007-2008 Programme
23 September 2008	The Unpredictability of Life. Professor Johnson. Pitlochry
23 September 2008	Earthquakes at Home and Abroad. Pitlochry
12 September 2008	Friday 12th September 2008 Antarctica.(You can go far with physics). Dr Alison McLure - IOP. Inverurie Academy
11 September 2008	Antarctica.(You can go far with physics). Dr Alison McLure - IOP. Kilgraston School
23 June 2008	How Sound affects our every day lives – blurring the boundaries between art and science. Professor C Greated and Marianne Greated. Arbroath Academy
4 March 2008	Throwing Light on the Human Genome. Dr Wendy Bickmore. St John's R.C. High School
26 February 2008	Forensic Reconstruction. Dr Caroline Wilkinson. Arbroath Academy
11 February 2008	Mirrors, medicines and metals. Dr Susan Armstrong. St George's School for Girls
4 February 2008	Antarctica (You can go far with a physics degree). Alison McLure. Trinity Academy
22 January 2008	Soap, bubbles and Membranes. Dr Ciaran Ewins. Grange Academy.
18 January 2008	Forensic Art. Caroline Needham. Arbroath Academy
19 December 2007	What has your Granny got in common with a Spaceman? Dr Val Mann. James Watt College, Killwinning. (10.30 and 1.30)
19 December 2007	Watching Genes. Dr Jonathan Chubb. James Watt College, Greenock. (10.30 and 1.30)
18 December 2007	What has your Granny got in common with a Spaceman? Dr Val Mann. James Watt College, Greenock. (10.30 and 1.30)
18 December 2007	Watching Genes. Dr Jonathan Chubb. James Watt College, Kilwinning. (10.30 and 1.30)
10 December 2007	Capturing Colour with Chemistry. Dr Greig Chisholm. Belmont Academy.
12 November 2007	What has your Granny got in common with a Spaceman? Dr Val Mann. Kilchuimen School
30 October 2007	Black Holes and White Rabbits. Professor John Brown. Linlithgow Academy
23 October 2007	Bacteria Live in Communities. Dr Nicola Stanley Wall. Clyde Valley High School
11 October 2007	DNA profiling. Its use in famous cases, Dr. Linacre, Lanark Grammar
2006-2007 Programme
14 September 2007	Lazing down the internet. Professor Thomas Krauss. Ellon Academy
13 September 2007	Lazing down the internet. Professor Thomas Krauss. Keith Grammar School
12 June 2007	Tour of the Universe. Professor Ellington. Balerno High School.
15 March 2007	Serpents and Synthesisers, Professor Murray Campbell. St Thomas Primary School
8 March 2007	Capturing Colour with Chemistry, Dr Greig Chisholm. Elgin Academy
19 & 20 December 2006	Throwing Light on the Human Genome, Professor Wendy Bickmore, and DNA Profiling: it’s use in famous cases, Dr Adrian Linacre. James Watt College
6 December 2006	Who are You? Professor Sue Black, St John's High School
8 November 2006	Chemistry is Magic, Dr Christine Davidson. Lochgelly High School, Fife
October 2006	One Small Step Many Giant Myths by Dr Martin Hendry at Wick and Thurso High Schools
2005-2006 Programme
23 September 2006	Tour of the Universe, Islay High School
14 September 2006	Who are you? by Sue Black. The Inverness Royal Academy followed by a public lecture in the evening 'The Bare Bones Science'.
12-14 September 2006	Mathematics really matters, by Bruce Davies as part of Techfest 2006. Glenalmond College, Turriff Academy, Lossiemouth High School and TCS of Auchterarder
9 September 2006	Soap Bubbles and Membranes, Professor P Carris, Whitburn Academy
19 June 2006	Throwing Light on the Human Genome, Professor Wendy Bickmore at Glen Urquhart High School, Highlands
8 June 2006	Soap Bubbles and Membranes, Dr Ciaran Ewins, Arran High School, Isle of Arran
3 May 2006	A Guided Tour of the Universe, Professor Henry Ellington, St Ninians Primary School, Livingston
22 March 2006	Chemistry is Magic, Dr Christine Davidson at Wallace Hall Academy, Dumfries
20 & 21 December 2005	DNA Profiling: it’s use in famous cases, Dr Adrian Linacre. James Watt College, Ayrshire (Kilwinning and Greenock Campuses)
20 & 21 December 2005	Who Are You? Professor Sue Black FRSE. James Watt College, Ayrshire (Kilwinning and Greenock Campuses)
6 December 2005	Who are You? Professor Sue Black. Brechin High School, Angus
28 November 2005	Mirrors Medicines and Metals, Dr Susan Armstrong, St Saviour's School, Dundee
27 October 2005	Throwing Light on the Human Genome, Professor Wendy Bickmore FRSE. Firrhill High School
27 October 2005	Drugs from Bugs, Dr Andrew Mearns Spragg. Drummond Community High School, Edinburgh
15 & 16 October 2005	Serpents and Synthesisers by Professor Murray Campbell at various schools in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as part of Techfest 2005.

Last Updated 25 September, 2009

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