Every year, the Royal Institution of Great Britain organizes a very educational science lecture to general audience. Initiated in 1825 by Michael Faraday, the world-renowned “Christmas Lectures” presents scientific subjects to general audience. Last 2015 Christmas Lectures talked about the topic “How to survive in space”. The speaker, Dr Kevin Fong opens a window onto today’s most exciting space missions, explores the future of space travel, and offers a unique insight into the challenges of protecting human life in the hostile environment of space. The lecture was held again at July 16, 2016 at the Ookayama campus of Tokyo Tech. It was a rare and exciting opportunity for 8 of our GSEP students to participate. Below are brief testimonies from 4 of them who participated the event.
“How to survive in space? It was a very enthralling lecture. It was like a Christmas gift. When the rocket is sent to the space, the astronaut is on the front, and the public don’t really look into the whole team working throughout the whole process, including the maintenance crew for the astronaut’s health. From those humorous experiments and Doctor Kevin Fong’s speech, I got the better image about what goes on in outer space. After the lecture, I saw full of people with delighted faces. I sensed their desire to know and their willingness to discuss more about this topic. I’m very glad I attended that intriguing lecture and was very excited to discuss more with my peers even after the lecture.”
“I thought that the topic of the Christmas Lectures was super fun and inspiring! We were all lucky to have Prof. Kevin Fong and the Royal Institution conduct last years lecture right at Tokyo Tech. The lecture, with all of its exciting experiments made the contents easy to understand and 10 times more interesting. I had a really great time and would love to join, if possible, more Christmas Lectures in the future.”
“I was very impressed with the Christmas Lectures.
I attended science communication lecture with Prof. Mike, so I heard a lot about teaching science to kids. This lecture emphasized the method that can attract young children and also educate university students like us at the same time.
The atmosphere in the lecture theater, where everyone attended on a Saturday out of their own desire, inspired me to learn more as well!
Finally, I really enjoy the lecture and if there is any other chance I would like to join it again. :))))”
“The lecture was so interesting! The theme was interesting and the way Dr. Kevin delivered his talk made it more fun and understandable. The experiments he did, asking for volunteers from the audiences was among the keys to create better chemistry with his audience. Overall, I’m glad I attended the Christmas Lecture.”
Thank you so much for the very enjoyable, educational, and stimulating lecture, Royal Institution of Great Britain and Dr. Kevin Fong!
For those who missed the opportunity, one more lecture will be held at Nagoya (see poster above).
Written by Alvin C.G. Varquez