ScienceX – another year inspiring budding scientists and engineers
Robotics and AI Social responsibility 19 April 2018
The future of our world will be moulded by the next generation of scientists and engineers – but who will they be? After the success of the latest ScienceX, we’re sure a few will have been at the Trafford Centre this weekend.
Science and engineering is all about asking questions, coming up with solutions and inspiring others to do the same – and that’s something that can start at any age. In fact, asking questions is something children start to do almost from the time they can talk.
Now in its third year, ScienceX aims to inspire the youngest would-be engineers and scientists by asking them to get involved with the research and work carried out across our Faculty. And, let’s be honest, there are few things more thrilling to a young person than being challenged to save a nuclear reactor, land a plane, program a robot or sit in a racing car.
As the Faculty of Science and Engineering’s annual outreach event, ScienceX shares the work we do with the public – all under the glorious domed roof of intu Trafford Centre. Volunteers from our Schools and centres head to the Manchester mall to challenge shoppers to test their knowledge and help out with their experiments – and what better way to inspire young minds? It certainly beats staring at a textbook in a stuffy classroom.
Engineering the future
The Trafford Centre was a hive of activity this weekend as families from across the city came to see for themselves what our scientists and engineers get up to – and there were plenty of activities to choose from. Among the most popular was our flight simulator – there was quite a queue to have a go and attempt to land a plane.
Engineering enthusiasts could also sit behind the wheel of a formula racing car built right here on campus. And on the Sunday motor-heads had the chance to become almost literal motor-heads – attendees were invited to have a go at controlling a racing game using only the power of their minds. That’s right – we’re living in the future now people!
Gamers put on a headset that uses electrodes to measure electrical activity in the brain. Using these signals, the wearer could then literally ‘think’ the car’s way round the track as they focused on the game.
Of course, the future real-world application of this wearable sensor tech is more far reaching than gaming alone. For example, it could allow someone who has lost the use of their hands to type words on a computer. It’s also hoped the technology will play a part in better diagnosing and treating epilepsy, chronic pain and sleep disorders.
AI mind games
Then there was the chance to teach computers to solve problems on their own in a game of Hexapawn. This game, which is much like a simplified version of chess, was devised to be played by artificial intelligence.
But why should the computers have all the fun? There was also the chance to design and build a working circuit – all from paper! Dave Sawyer, who attended the event with his two children, said: “It was a tough decision, but paper circuits are next on the ‘to do’ list for playing with the kids.”
There was plenty more excitement over on the science stands. Attendees were invited to come and see how graphene is used in everyday items like tennis racquets to improve their performance. They also got to model a set of on-brand ScienceX specs printed out by the 3D printer. It took two hours to print each frame – but we think we’ve struck on a new fashion trend.
Head in the stars
Budding astronomers, meanwhile, had the chance to go where only a few men have gone before and hold a piece of the moon in their hand. Plus, the guys from Jodrell Bank were on site to give guests the chance to take a closer look at space through a virtual reality headset.
Of course, it’s all well having your head in the stars, but there’s plenty of scientific research going on here on planet earth – and particularly work designed to protect the future of the globe. At the Life of Water stand, guests were shown what they can do to save the oceans from being polluted by plastics, and at another stand, would-be scientists were invited to see exactly how carbon emissions change the climate.
Meanwhile, shoppers were provided with a unique insight into life on earth – or under earth in this case. Who knew the soil in our gardens was such a bustling metropolis of activity?
So many attendees shared their love of the event with us – from leaving feedback on our huge graffiti wall to getting in touch through social media. It’s fair to say, ScienceX inspired a whole lot of people to picture themselves as scientists and engineers. We can’t wait to work with them in the labs of the future.
Words – Hayley Cox
Images – Enna Bartlett