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Natural Sciences: A Bit Of The Biology, Chemistry & Physics Of Chiral Molecules In Food With Professor Geoff Nash – Society for Natural Sciences
May 22 @ 12:45 - 13:30
Chirality is a fascinating geometric concept that we all come across in our daily lives. Our feet and hands, as well as objects such as screws, all exhibit chirality – our left and right hands are mirror images of each other, but when we place one on top of another, our thumbs don’t line up. What might be less familiar is that chiral molecules often play a key role in the aroma, taste, digestion, and health/nutrition benefits of food.
In this session we will explore how research at Exeter is helping to improve our ability to sense chiral molecules in food, and how such research cuts across traditional science subjects. We will also spend a little time thinking about what makes a “good” scientist in the 21st century, and how the study of science at university reflects this.
Professor Geoff Nash is Head of Natural Sciences at the University of Exeter and representing the Society for Natural Sciences, a national learned society that promotes interdisciplinary science education and research.
Follow-up resources linking this webinar to Chemistry, Physics and Biology A-level, BTEC, T-level and IB curricula will be made available after this session via the Society for Natural Sciences website.
Lecturer Profile: Professor Geoff Nash
About Natural Sciences Natural Sciences is the study of our physical world, exploring scientific and related topics without being confined by the boundaries of traditional disciplines. Natural Sciences degrees allow students to study more than one discipline at undergraduate level, combining subjects that match their own interests, enabling them to discover where their passions lie. While the specific structures of Natural Sciences programmes in the UK vary, they all provide a degree experience that encourages interdisciplinary thinking and takes students beyond discipline silos. This benefits not only graduates who choose to work in interdisciplinary areas but also brings a wider perspective to those who move into a single discipline. This seminar is sponsored by the Society for Natural Sciences and covers a typical Natural Sciences subject area.
Our events are designed so that a group of students can take part from a classroom or students and teachers can take part as individuals, either from school or from home. This means that sessions will continue irrespective of possible school closures.
As a live, participative event, the session will not be recorded but follow up resources will be made available.
Suitable for: Year 12 and 13 students (and equivalent). This session is designed for students from all backgrounds and interested in how interdisciplinary science is tackling humanity’s most urgent questions.
Preparation/Pre-Reading: No preparation or pre-reading is required although you may wish to consider the proposed subject area and related questions you might like to ask.
The IT Setup: The event will be run on Zoom meetings and participants will be able to join using laptops, tablets, and mobile devices. If you are joining as a school group, we recommend connecting with one device and projecting on to a whiteboard. You will be able to interact with the university via a microphone and/or typed comments and questions. Full details will be sent to those who have registered (see below) prior to the event.
Booking a Place: This is free for schools and colleges. If you would like to take part in this event, please register your interest using the link to the registration form below: