Photograph: Benjamin Sunny and Jeffrey Sabwisa from St Matthew Academy, Blackheath help Prof Tim Cable with a live experiment. Photography by Fergus Burnett.
Research by hundreds of students from across Great Britain and Ireland was showcased at the world renowned Faraday Theatre in London as part of the ever explosive Excitement of Science. This year’s theme was sports science, a growing industry with applications in and out of the competitive arena.
Doctor Steve Rossington, biochemist from the University of Salford , treated everyone to a suitably flamboyant and flammable start by demonstrating the pyrotechnic properties of various gases. The audience also saw how solid carbon dioxide creates that theatrical and smoky “X-Factor” effect.
In partnership with Rotary International in Great Britain & Ireland (RIBI) and the Royal Institution, Excitement of Science aims to inspire young minds and cultivate their curiosity.
The students from 32 schools have all worked on cardiovascular projects by taking their pulse and examining other elements of their health. The findings were used by Professor Tim Cable, Director of the School of Sports & Exercise Sciences at Liverpool John Moores University, to show the relationship between activities and fitness. The stark reality of low fitness levels and the link with poor health were made very clear as students saw illustrations of clogged arteries.
This year’s theme demonstrated that sport science stretches beyond the running track as Professor Tim Cable explained: “In our department, we look at how to enhance performance. That could be helping an elite athlete achieve their personal best but equally an elderly person who struggles to get out of a chair. In both cases, they are putting in 100-percent performance. It’s about improving quality of life by applying real solutions to real life problems.”
Rotarian Professor Bill Mullarkey has been organising the Excitement of Science for ten years alongside fellow Rotary member, Dr Mike Shaw. Each year, there has been a different theme and attracts the support of world experts. When asked what next year might hold, Mike remained tight lipped: “We have a few ideas which are out of this world. There are a few people we plan to approach and I can’t really say much more than that. Let’s just say we might be reaching for the stars next year.”
Professor Mullarkey is grateful for the support by the Royal Institution: “We are fortunate that Excitement of Science is so well supported by the Royal Institution which means we can bring science to life for all. Where better to bring young scientists than to the Faraday Theatre where so many great minds have spoken and studied.
“RIBI support is also crucial to keep this event going. Rotary clubs work with their local schools in a number of ways throughout the year. Excitement of Science is one of many projects and I would like to invite more clubs to be part of it."
