BU Research Blog

We are now well into the second week of the Festival of Learning – how did that happen so quickly? Despite the amazing weather at the weekend, we had a great turn-out on Saturday with colleagues enjoying learning about how to build the Perfect Sandcastle, Story Stew (it did involve a large stew pot), How to Self Publish (Staying Solvent and Sane), a field trip to Russell Alfred Wallace’s home (complete with nature walk and talk), a theatre performance to help us learn about Russell Alfred Wallace’s life and not to mention over 250 people visiting Bioblitz over in Poole Park. Amazing stuff and the fun continued on Monday… more reflections from my fantastic colleagues in the Research and Knowledge Exchange Office below. Before, we move to them, what do we have happening on Tuesday 11th June? Lots and lots, so take your pick:

• The fastest men on no legs: Disability, prosthesis and the role of technology in elite sport – no need to book in advance, come to the Loft at 7pm to hear from our award winning science communicator!
• 20 years of law at BU 
• Social media monitoring 
• Community cohesion
• Equipping the business leaders of the future 
• Engaging young women with sun safety
• Mobile technology: Distraction or touch point in education and professional development?
• An introduction to motion capture
• Intervention in childbirth: What’s wrong with letting women choose?
• Children’s sleep: What goes wrong? What can we do?

So, what has been happening at the Festival so far… my colleagues from RKE provide their reflections:

Power of the placement year: Reflections by Emily Cieciura

Following a networking breakfast, Mark Ridolfo and Linda Ladle outlined the power of the placement to a gathering of local businesses. The benefits to the company and to the placement student were highlighted along with how the scheme works and is supported by BU. The session also included talks by BU students. Attendees also enjoyed the opportunity to talk with BU staff, including key Placements and careers staff, and network with other local companies. To find out more visit BU’s Business Services Webpages (http://bu.bournemouth.ac.uk/business-services/graduate-and-student-recruitment/index.html) and follow links to all the services we offer.

The perfect sandcastle: Reflections by Emily Cieciura

Professor Sandcastle himself (aka Professor Matthew Bennett) told us the enthralling story of sand and introduced us to the big and little ‘sedi-people’ who make up sand, which is especially wonderful along Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. Matthew used the audience to demonstrate the importance of size, shape, friction and water in making great sand. He explained the physics behind making glass sheets stick together with just water and how water can go uphill, revealing how these scientific feats are vital for having fun at the beach. Using samples of local Bournemouth sand, we worked out the best proportion of sand and water to make that perfect sandcastle. Staking his reputation on it, Matthew told us all the secret of the perfect mix but sorry, you had to be there…. Now, where is my ice-cream?

Reading, writing and eye movements, event organised by Sine McDougall and Julie Kirkby, report by Jenny Roddis

Attendees at this well attended event heard about the history of written language, beginning with pictures and including the English language (did you know that yacht was spelt yot until the advent of the printing press in the Netherlands?). Consideration was also given to the future of English, which is changing as a result of text messaging, emails and Internet chat rooms – should we be able to spell however we wish? Individuals then separated into groups, where they heard about research using the eye tracker and assessing reading skills. An engaging final discussion was held about how dyslexia can be spotted in the classroom.