History of Science
This course will be restarted post Covid lock-downs, etc., on Friday afternoon of the 4th March 2022 in Matson Baptist Church Hall, from 2.30 till 4.00 pm. (GL4 6LA). If this goes OK the following meeting will be on Friday afternoon of the 8th April, and monthly thereafter.
Some 15 years ago I ran a popular History of Science course which ranged from Aristotle to Einstein over a period of about 4 years. It formed a useful bridge between Arts & Science, as I taught it mainly through the biographies of the scientists. A revised version of this course was started again in April 2017 with lectures at monthly intervals. (No previous science knowledge is required.)
As well as studying the evolution of scientific ideas, theories and discoveries we also consider the interactions with philosophy and religion. Some experiments are performed. Extensive notes are issued of each session and sometimes there is optional homework and even the occasional test. We may also arrange some visits to places of scientific interest.
The 20 or so people who attended the course found it stimulating and fun and they are able to answer a few more questions on University Challenge!
I felt there was a need for more U3A science and maths courses in an age where we all rely so heavily on technology, but many of us haven’t a clue how even the simplest machine works, let alone the science behind it.H
Having started with the Ancient Greeks, we are currently (March 2022) in the middle of the History of Chemistry and towards the end of the 18c. If you miss a session or want to join the course in the middle, the detailed notes issued after each session will enable you to catch up.
Thank you for all your support, attention and interesting questions and input to this course, which is currently at session 32.
From Chemistry, via the Periodic Table, I shall move on to Atomic and Nuclear Physics.
John Thorn.