School of Chemistry hosts inspiring scientists at STEM night

Cardiff University’s School of Chemistry was pleased to host the Cathedral School STEM society inaugural event on Tuesday 12th March.

The evening was organised by Cathedral School Year 13 students and the STEM society committee, who invited Professor Lord Robert Winston, Imperial College London, Huw James, Scientist and adventurer, and Dr Anna Horleston, NASA mission scientist, to give talks to an audience of over 200 school students and teachers from the South Wales area.

The main speaker, Lord Robert Winston, is a Professor of Science and Society and Emeritus Professor of Fertility Studies at Imperial College London. He is a leader in his field having made many important discoveries and is chairman of the Genesis Research Trust, a charity funding high quality research into women’s health and babies.

It was a great opportunity for young students to learn more about the world of STEM by those that are cutting edge in their specialisms. The scientists covered contemporary issues such as climate change, the challenges of moving to Mars and the importance of happiness and well-being as a measure of scientific development.

The event was supported by an outreach fair with demonstrations from the Cardiff University’s Schools of Chemistry, Computer Science and Informatics, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Studies, Biosciences and the Cardiff Institute of Tissue Engineering and Repair.

After the talks, the three speakers engaged in a question and answer session with the audience, which revealed a great passion and depth of awareness of the importance of STEM from the pupils attending the event.