Theory and discovery…
The BNSS hosts a rich variety of science lectures throughout the year. Speakers often include professionals from universities or research institutes who have an intimate understanding of the field in which they work. We have a concentration of scientific lectures during British Science Week, held annually in March.
BNSS members also provide us with regular talks, with topics such as electrons, anti-matter, genetics and astronomy. We are lucky to have retired professionals amongst our members who are often willing to give a talk on an area of specific interest, and some talks are quite light-hearted.
Upcoming Science events
Natural Deception. Camouflage and Mimicry
1st April 2025 at 7.30pm (zoom only)Speaker: Jonathan McGowan Natural deception is one of the most basic traits within nature. Mimicry and camouflage allow many life forms to survive and thrive through natural selection. Insects, reptiles, birds, mammals and humans all indulge, with the latter being the most deceptive life form on Earth. The likelihood of more advanced alien life forms, […]
Forbidden Fruit: Understanding How Plants Know When To Stop
22nd April 2025 at 7.30pm (zoom only)Speaker: Dr. Tom Bennett Dr. Bennett is Associate Professor of Plant Signalling Development in the Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds. His research tries to understand how hormonal signalling controls how plant shoots and roots grow in response to environmental cues. He studies the genetics and development of the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.
A brief history of Quantum Mechanics
27th May 2025 at 7.30pm (in house and zoom)Speaker: Robin Hewitt This talk will describe a revolutionary new theory of the atomic world that was developed in the 1920s. The theory is called quantum mechanics. This talk will attempt to explain some of the basic ideas of the theory and look at the scientists who contributed to it. Even today some of the […]
Joint Meeting of BNSS & Quekett Microscopical Club
31st May 2025 at 10.00am - 4.00pmThere will be displays of microscopes, microscopic life and geological specimens. The Museum will also be open 10am-4pm
Sex: Nature’s Greatest Mystery
3rd June 2025 at 7.30pm (in house and zoom)Speaker: Tony Fulford Throughout the natural world sexual reproduction is everywhere. We take it for granted but it is spectacularly inefficient. You find a mate and only pass half of your genes on to the next generation. Evolution, however, settled on this system. Why? This talk will discuss how and why sex is thought to […]
Forever Chemicals
10th June 2025 at 7.30pm (zoom only)Speaker: Dr Francesca Ginley PFAS (Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances), nicknamed ‘forever chemicals’ are a highly persistent group of several thousand chemicals. Find out more about them, why they’re a problem and what we’re doing about it. Dr Ginley is the policy and advocacy manager for the marine Conservation Society working at the University of Leicester.
Science NEWS
More information on Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
November 6, 2024Those who watched Achille Martin’s Zoom talk about Autonomous Underwater Vehicles on 5th November may wish to find out more by clicking one of the links he has provided below: [1] NOC website [2] A day from the perspective of a NOC MARS engineer during autonomous vehicle Trials in Loch Ness (November 2021) [3] Science […]
Great Big Dorset Hedge
October 18, 2023Many of you will have attended the talk about the Great Big Dorset Hadge Project given by Julie Leah on Tuesday 3rd October. More information about the project and how to volunteer for it was given in Julie’ last slides which you can view here
