Professor Lord Robert Winston talks to Year 10 pupils at GCSE Science Live!

Year 10 Scientists took part in GCSE Science Live!  at Sheffield City Hall on Thursday 21 January.

The pupils listened to five of Britain’s top scientists, all of whom are working at the cutting edge of their specialisms and who were carefully chosen for their ability to communicate with students of this age in a direct and exciting way.

An experienced science examiner led a session providing top tips on examination success which was invaluable for the pupils who are working towards their GCSEs next summer. “The brilliant speakers made the science understandable for everyone,” said Liam Moffat and the rest of the cohort all agreed.

The speakers included:

Professor Steve Jones who is one of the world’s leading research geneticists (at University College) London and a prolific author of books about evolution, the most recent being on Steve’s hero, Charles Darwin.  Professor Jones’s lecture was Nature,nurture or neither: the view from the genes.   

Dr Andrea Sella who talked about chemical processes and used chemicals on the stage to illustrate his ideas.  ‘I really enjoyed going to see GCSE Science Live!” said Nathan Alcock. “The best one in my opinion was Dr Andrea Sella who gave a lecture on How the zebra got its stripes which is more chemistry than biology.’  

Dr Maggie Aderin who is more than a space scientist and a lecturer, she is a also a star of Blue Peter and knows how to share her enthusiasm with young people. ‘Dr Maggie Aderin was amazing. Her enthusiasm about her job and every aspect of physics was overwhelming. She has definitely inspired me’ said Hannah Williams. Bronte Stephenson agreed and added, "The scientists were really interesting and Dr Maggie Aderin has made me much more inquisitive and enthusiastic about physics and the universe.’  

Professor Lord Robert Winston who is a medical doctor and distinguished scientist as well as being a well-known television presenter. “It was especially interesting seeing Professor Lord Robert Winston who I’d seen on TV,” said Nick Grimwood. “He answered people’s questions well at the end.’  

Dr Aderin took time to have photographs taken with the Year 10 pupils after the event.