new things but ‘stand on the shoulder of giants’ as a medic and radiologist. Still; they let me in!
The sessions are online and usually only half an hour. The teacher acts a moderator and the pupils submit questions to all or some of the online participants. The questions are often formulaic, sometimes silly, but occasionally profound. It can be tricky to find a swift and satisfactory answer in time, but the responses are retained for review, so even answers submitted just after the session can be read. Practical questions, such as how long training took or what subjects are needed in a career are common. I have been reluctant to say how much I earn - but as an NHS consultant, the pay scale is public knowledge.
Sessions are proposed some time in advance by teachers, with the age of the pupils and a brief description of the topic. You can choose to accept or reject sessions and map out times when you will not be available. This calendar function could be more flexible - allowing recurring events for example. The facility to fit sessions around your working life is appreciated - far easier than physically attending events.
Logging into a session is simple. The questions come thick and fast; I have found it is easier to filter for questions aimed just at me. There seems to be a word count limit for responses…which is occasionally irritating. Brevity promotes clarity - maybe I should hold to my own principles! As a radiologist I strive to express ideas in simple, succinct language.
In between sessions there is the possibility to respond to unanswered questions - and give more considered responses.
Worthwhile? I think so, but I have yet to get much feedback from the sessions. I have also found it interesting to exchange messages with other scientists - you forget how many other fields there are, related or far removed from your own area of knowledge.
Dr Martin Pikę,
Consultant Radiologist
l environment! Every spring since 2019, Natural Resources Wales and the Wales Council for Outdoor Learning join forces to organise #WalesOutdoorLearningWeek, a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate how we can all benefit from learning in, learning about and learning for our natural environment.
For the first time National Numeracy Day has a theme. For 2025 we'll be talking about Money, and this is why...
Society of Chemistry's twenty first annual Science and the Senedd which will be held at the Senedd and the Pierhead, Cardiff Bay, on 13 May 2025 from 12.45pm to 7.30pm. This event is sponsored by the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Senedd, David Rees MS, together with Mark Isherwood MS and Joel James MS.The theme will be based on Education and the Future Workforce.
EM Ambassadors in Wales to engage with as many schools as possible.
rove their relationship with physics. This could be by showcasing relatable role models of those doing physics, actively challenging stereotypes and preconceptions, sharing positive messages about physics, and more!