[U]niversity of Cumbria Associate Professor Dr Theo Bampouras has been describing his experience of sharing a stage with physicist and broadcaster Prof Brian Cox at the Infinity festival (http://infinityfestival.co.uk/) which took place at West Lakes Academy in Egremont (Thurs 28.)
Over two hundred 13-14 year olds watched presentations and took part in demonstrations on topics ranging from how mathematical modelling can help solve crimes and prevent diseases to how flies are crucial to the ‘circle of life.’
“All talks were extremely well received and sparked interesting discussions outside the presentation too – both between the students and presenters but also between presenters themselves!” Dr Bampouras, who works within the University of Cumbria’s department of medical and sport sciences and manages the Active Ageing Research Group, said.
The event was also well attended by parents with a Q & A session in the afternoon where they were encouraged by Professor Brian Cox, Dr Erica McAlister and Dr Bampouras to ask questions on the presentation topics and life at university.
“It was a great day and the academy made sure everything ran smoothly, through some excellent student ambassadors,” Associate Professor Dr Theo Bampouras said. “There was a great vibe and the students engaged with the topics, asking questions outside the sessions as well. I felt that the Q & A sessions for the parents I did with Professor Brian Cox were particularly good, as not only did we receive some excellent questions from the younger members of the audience but we were also very similar in our responses about what a scientist is, what they do, how it is a life passion. I hope the day will be memorable to those young minds and encourage them to follow a science career or confirm to them that this is what they want to be doing.”
