Redditch

Exploring science group

Group Contact: Anne Lacey

We are a Science group, meeting once a month, for talks, discussions, outings etc.

We aim to cover a broad range of scientific subjects over the course of a year, but no background knowledge is required – just a general interest in science and an inquiring mind. You can see the variety of subject matters we have covered by clicking on the 'Our talks and visits' link on the right.

For further information, please send an email to the group contact using the button on the right of this page.

Due to the current situation, there will be no meeting of the group in March and April. We will continue to update you beyond that.

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'Visit to Warwick U, Wellesbourne campus 10:30 Friday 14 February 2020

The Exploring Science group had an interesting and informative visit to the Wellesbourne site of the University of Warwick on Friday 14 February, 2020. We visited the meteorological station which reports to the Met Office and has been collating information about weather conditions for many years. We also saw an insect trap which collects airborne insects from a height of several meters for identification. This data provides information about the numbers of individuals of different insect species- especially aphids -which are crop pests. The data is used to help to predict when the pest population is at its highest so that farmers and growers can take appropriate action such as applying pesticides. Some photos from our visit are included on this page.

We then had a presentation about the work of the Crop Centre at the site given by Professor Rosemary Collier. She outlined the history of the facility and explained what it is used for today. This was most interesting and enlightening.

We would like to thank Professor Collier for her talk and also Peter Dewell from the U3a who organised the visit.' (Report by Anne Lacey)

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Friday 21 February: Half a life in Science.
Daryl gave an entertaining talk about his varied and interesting career. It was good to hear about aspects of life, such as a metallurgy and ICT technician, in a range of establishments. (Report by Anne Lacey)

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Upcoming visits include one to Birmingham University’s Collection of Historic Physics Instruments. More information shortly.

XXIV, Happy Thought
The world is so full of a number of things,
I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.

A Child’s Garden of Verses, 1885.
R.L. Stevenson