EXCURSION TO “MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE IN THE MODERN WORLD”

Hutchesons’ Grammar School hosted a one-day colloquium for senior pupils on Tuesday, 9th February. This all-day event was aimed at encouraging pupils to consider the importance of Mathematics and Science in the 21st century. The Dollar Academy Mathematics Department were fortunate enough to be able to take twenty pupils to this event, and the following account sums up the day.

Our visit to the Mathematics and Science One-Day Colloquium was most enjoyable, tremendously educational, and was fully embraced by all who were lucky enough to be able to attend. Praise cannot be heaped on any single speaker as each one was interesting, entertaining and obviously enthused about their particular area of the subject.

Indeed, Adam McBride’s opening talk was vivacious, and persuasively delivered. His use of a vintage overhead projector nicely tied into his theme of the study of “classical mathematics”.  Julia Collins brought the study of maths to the modern world and beyond, with her talk on topological geometry – in particular “Knot Theory”. This unusual branch of maths was explained well, and maybe one day someone who attended the event might solve the biological problem of topoisomerase and DNA. One of the more pressing matters involving science in the modern world is the energy crisis and so it was of great value to hear a leading expert in the field of renewable energies. Moreover, it was interesting to catch a glimpse of the great innovations involved in producing clean energy through the study of engineering.  The afternoon was well rounded off by Simon Singh with a series of statistical problems and challenges to our pre-conceived ideas of logic and reasoning, presenting his arguments with humour and enthusiasm. He certainly lived up to his reputation and was definitely worth the wait.

For anyone unsure of what degree to take at university, the colloquium showed a clear picture of why maths would be a strong contender – after all, as Adam McBride said, “Mathematics is B.E.S.T.”
We thank all the speakers and Hutchesons’ Grammar School for giving their time and facilities to have held this interesting day.

Hannah Taylor, Jamie Hookham, Andrew Morris and Taylor Watson-Fargie (Form VI)