FHS Science podcast.: Recent Episodes
FHS Science Department
Science in school: 1. reasonably-regular light-hearted discussions of every day science with Mr Short , Mr Atkinson and Mr Forsyth. sometimes we get Mr McNeish! 2. ‘meet the teachers’ episodes where I chat to science teachers in the school and their background - for current FHS pupils to get to know their teachers and for catchment. primary pupils who want to know more about the teachers they will meet when they come to the High School; 3. DYW episodes of science careers such as ‘women in science’.
Musical intro by Paul Bosewicz (current pupil)
What does this year hold in store? Amongst the doom and gloom of global destruction there is the shining light of science! Be optimistic, 2024 is going to be awe…. Wait for it…..SOME! 🤘😁😉
We chat about new words and what they mean. Where did the word for ‘atom’ come from. Before we knew they existed there was no ‘atoms’! 😂
Ethanol is a key chemical in society from its (ab)use in drinks to fuels to hand gels. There are other ‘alcohols’, but how do alcohols work? We share our ignorance on the subject and hope to provide a starting point…. We are not experts!
What do we know about the Sun? What can we calculate about the Sun?! The Sun is essential for life on Earth - its distance, the heat it radiates… but what do we know about it and Heliophysics?
We try and talk around what AI is… and some of the perceptions in films, and whether it’s all doom and gloom!
We talk Christmas and science… stars, planets, trees, batteries… all good stuff, some of it may be true, 😂🤘
How much of the comic book science is based on reads science? We talk Ant man, Wolverine and Deadpool.
We talk about some scientific ‘facts’ and whether they are true or not…. Does what goes up always come down?
We talk about the molecule carbon dioxide and it’s importance, it’s uses and the problems it’s causing for our weather and climate.
We talk talk clouds, wandering clouds, daffodils, art and okta. Queen also gets a mention of course.
With the World increasing in temperature through man-made global warming, what are the best ways of keeping yourself cool? We talk about how animals do it, and how we might need to focus more on passive cooling methods.
After the World cycling championships in Glasgow we talk about bikes and what is the best way to reduce head injuries in cyclists.
I cycle on the Helix Around Town Tour (mostly!) and link in some science and history and information en route. I’m hoping I can link it to school to engage pupils with local history and science. https://www.visitfalkirk.com/plan-your-visit/itineraries/cycle-in-the-hartt-of-scotland/ https://falkirklocalhistory.club/
We talk about faster Tour de France cycling times and the Festina affair, and the Titan submarine catastrophic failure. Last one for season 2. See you again in season 3.
We talk about why science should be taught in schools, and why science is really about rebellion and rock’n’roll. 🤘The image used for this podcast is of Carl Sagan, legendary scientist and communicator.
We talk songs in science and what effect they have on us. Part of the STE(A)M series linking art and science.
We talk inflammation, leeches and maggots. We are not medically trained, do not use our chat as any kind of endorsement of any medical best practise.
We link King Charles’ coronation with conservation work, de-extinction, reintroduction and biodiversity. Have you ever had an Elk burger?
What is atmospheric pressure? We talk altitude and pressure for balloons, aeroplanes and mountains.
We make genuine and some tenuous links to Falkirk’s science connections. https://falkirklocalhistory.club/around-the-area/industry/nobel-westquarter-works/
Outsells coke, sold in cans/bottles with a secret recipe…. What’s the history of IrnBru and what goes into each can?
Scotland apparently has created the modern world through invention. We discuss what inventions are and some of the ones that are attributed to Scotland.
A tricky one to navigate, but, do you feel optimistic about the future because of science, or do you feel an overwhelming sense of doom? We chat about the perception of science… despite Mr a Forsyth trying to dodge the question! 😂
What are earthquakes, how often do they happen, how can we protect ourselves against them? You can make donations for the earthquake appeal here: https://www.redcross.org.uk/stories/disasters-and-emergencies/world/turkey-syria-earthquake
The Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology (POST) provides ‘horizon scanning’ , briefing notes and full notes for Westminster. Used in Select committees and to inform policy and legislation we chat around some of the possible issues.
We talk space, crash test mooses and whether our risk of death might be doubled in a simple test.
Some tenuous links between things associated with a winter Christmas and some science discussions. We find out that Mr Atkinson is super tasty… or a super taster?
In this episode we discuss the best general advice we would give in the run up to prelims, and then deviate to some general chat about some funny science word usage.
We’re cadavers used for the first crash test dummies? Can you get electrocuted in the bath? Can you. At h baldness from your dad? 🤷♂️
We look at public scares that either turned out not to be through lack of basis, or were avoided through taking precautions. We talk Y2K, GMO and vaccines. Remember it’s a chat, we’re not topic specialists.
We talk briefly about the context of Prince William’s Earthshot prize, and how science does have the answers to many of today’s issues.
We chat around why water is so important and some of its special properties. What is it about liquids that is so interesting?
We talk water and sewage - who invented the toilet, why water disposal is so important, and make sure you shower before you swim!
We talk careers and paper rounds with Mr Forsyth, Atkinson and Young focussing on the importance of #nowrongpathway, skills, resilience and growth mindset.
Tennis is an interesting subject for science as it is hugely dependent on materials (racquets, courts, balls) but would tennis players be any better if they knew more physics?
A German word meaning ‘environment’. But also that different species, with different dominant senses, perceive the world very differently to us. We do our best to discuss what these are and how perhaps we could be less human sense-centric!
We try to add our thoughts on the TV show ‘Breaking Bad’. They have used science experts, what can we add to the discussion?
Hear from Risky Sheriff-Short as he describes his journey from an inauspicious academic end to school to working with 15,000 nurses after an interactive and fulfilling nursing career. When Ricky says ‘bank’ he means a nursing bank, not a bank bank! ;-)
Scales are useful for relative measurement - so pH 1 is more acidic than pH2 by a factor of x10 concentration hydrogen ions. Similarly, 20decibells is 10x louder than 10decibells. But what about your stools? On a scale of 1 to 7 your stool can be used to tell whereabouts you are more constipated or have diarrhoea. Awesome.
We discuss rockets, fuel, the proposed base on the moon and travel to Mars. Radiation, dummies and Shaun the sheep. As ever, we’re not experts, it’s a starting point for discussion…for example, the solid fuel rocket is used second not first! …and we don’t know if it is (insoluble) aluminium oxide poisoning the aquatic life around the launch site.
What units of measurement should we use, and which ones do we commonly use? We discuss the metric system, Imperial units and odd ones used on the news…. Like Wales!
Second series - up and running with the usual expert insight and occasional ignorance. But, always discussion.
A final discussion on covid and global warming - what’s the solution? As always we are not experts, we are discussing science to expose our ignorance and learn from it. Happy holidays.
Today we talk materials, earthquakes and buildings. We’re not experts, obviously, but it’s a starting point. I wonder if the technology and science behind wind proof bridges is used for earthquake proof buildings?
From termite mounds to earthquake proof buildings. We chat around the houses about temperature control, the greenhouse effect, and earthquake proof buildings.
Should STEM be STEAM? The use of art in science is significant and perhaps we should release or engage our artistic side more as scientists.
Does science fiction influence scientific development or is it merely predictive. Did Star Trek really stimulate the production of touch screen computers? We talk, highlighting our full ignorance, about science fiction and our current reality.
What scientific developments have started with nature? Biomimetics have played an important part in our lives from understanding blood pressure in high G to Velcro straps. Listen in, and as always, we’re not experts, just interested.
Today we chat around things that have been developed by NASA and are now in everyday use. Mr Forsyth joins us with his expertise and comments.
Starting with Newton’s observation that solid object fall to the ground, how many other scientific discoveries are ‘lucky’? A disclaimer here in that this is a discussion and we may not be 100% accurate, please DO NOT taste or lick any chemicals.
Exams start so good luck to all pupils with upcoming exams. We talk about words in science with different meanings in different subjects in and everyday usage.
Emma and Briony talk about what they enjoyed about science at Falkirk High School. Despite ‘not doing any experiments’ since s2 they will be missed from the science department. We wish them all the best in the future and hope FHS has prepared them well for whatever they face next.
A rambling and brief overview of a first year of science podcasts. A diversion into iso synchronous pathways…. I know, I’ll need to look this up to! , and a reflection on the benefits to learning of discussion, being able to have the confidence to be wrong and to improve your understanding. Happy Easter.
We start with the IPCC tabling discussions on removing CO2 from the atmosphere using ‘machines’ and highlight our ignorance of how crustaceans make their shells! From there to entropy and randomness. Think of a number between 1 and 10 inclusive…. Was it 7? As usual, we are not experts, this is just a starting point for discussions!
Have exams changed for the better? Is it easier to sit exams when you are younger? Is learning when you are older more fun without the looming sense of assessment dread?
Today is less ‘planned’ and we picked the space port planned for Shetland, which unexpectedly turned to social conventions and the meaning of military chevrons on sleeves! #womensday #Ukraine
This episode we try and discuss evolution, the effects of smoking and vaccines, all in a context that what scientist say are often overlooked. We are not experts, and this is just a start for further discussion…. We will now be looking at evolution in the context of C-sections and natural child birth!
Starting with ‘Don’t look up’ the Netflix film we discuss why people disbelieve scientists from flat earthers, to global warming deniers to the recovery in the ozone layer. The positives are that science does prevail….just depends how much time we’ve got!
More meandering discussion so some value, little value, and no value whatsoever! We did our best… I’ve no idea how bears used in the Russian military got into this episode, but they did. Apologies. We’ll do better next week.
We touched on curling stones and rotation last week, which we continue… with no conclusions! And then onto bikes (of course) and finally sleep. It’s mental health week, and while we know sleep is essential for good mental health, we don’t really know why.
….losing traction slightly as we transition from ice sports to snow. Both frozen water but with different properties! Enjoy the games and view through a scientific eye. 👍
In this episode, more on skates from ice hockey to speed skating, and , staying on the ice: bobsleigh, luge and skeleton then onto curling! 😁
These next few episodes will on science and the winter Olympic sports starting with Mr Atkinson’s favourite sport of ice hockey. When he runs out of breath we’ll move him on to the other sports! 😂😂
Listen to Mr Gavin Smart talk about his journey to his current post in renewable energy finance from a law degree. how he learnt to use his resilience, problem solving, courage and communication skills to get to his current post. Check out the website for more information… and don’t forget to use your CAREERS ADVISOR. 😁👍
This morning we chat about trains and planes, infrastructure needed and planes stalling mid-air despite the engines running! No need to panic…. Just ask Mr Atkinson!
In this episode we are joined by Mr Cartner, a visiting biologist, who adds some rigour and knowledge to our brief chat on walking! We also talk more on cars (electric) and the future of transport.
Happy New Year, our first podcast we talk about modes of transport…. We’re definitely not experts on the biology, but we’re better on the materials and energy efficiency side of things! 😁 part 1
Mr Short and Mr Atkinson finish the tenuous links between A Christmas-themed alphabet and science, whilst highlighting their general ignorance about all things!
Mr Short and Mr Atkinson cover the middle section of alphabet, from I to Q with tenuous links to science and diminishing any scientific credibility they ever had with every pronouncement….
Mary talks about her science career from Kirkcaldy High School to Edinburgh University, New York, Liverpool to the University of the Highlands and Islands and finally to a global scientific instruments company. She talks about her love of research and finding out something new, and the need for good communication skills and perseverance!
Mr Short and Mr Atkinson go through the alphabet making tenuous connections to science.l,and highlighting their ignorance along the way! 😂
Dr Ross talks about her career pathway which exemplifies DYW no wrong path. https://www.nowrongpath.scot. She talks about how important enjoyment is to making your subject choices, and look out for opportunities, you never know where you’ll end up! Two apps that were mentioned: https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/ and https://www.calm.com
Mr Short and Mr Atkinson talk about keeping warm, why 90% heat loss through your head needs clarification, slippy ice and roads and aeroplanes. All good stuff. 👍
What every day sayings are not scientifically true? Sometimes pupils will say that they’ve been taught ‘lies’ in junior years, but this is layering of education and teaching!
Dr Reynolds talks about her journey from school and enjoying chemistry and maths to choosing a new degree in Pharmacology, a clinical PhD in respiratory anti-virals to her current post working with the government and public health. Links here to Public health Scotland: https://publichealthscotland.scot
Sharon is Associate Director in charge of Operational Effectiveness within a contract research organisation. When she graduated, her job didn’t exist! An Immunology graduate who now works with an international firm ensuring pharmaceuticals are safe to use. She also has built her own office, motorhome and kitchen!
In this episode we talk about space junk, comets, meteoroids, asteroids, ISS and the DART (satellite launch today, Wednesday 24th Nov)…. film links to Armageddon, Gravity and Deep Impact. Find out more here: https://www.nasa.gov/planetarydefense/dart and watch the launch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyqzK2hC0sA
This episode looks are what jobs women are doing in science. Dr Marie Short, MBE, talks about her love of Biology and how it led to a career in regulatory affairs. You can find out more here: https://jobs.newscientist.com/en-gb/article/getting-into-regulatory-affairs/.
Music and revision: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20200317-does-music-help-us-work-it-depends General revision tips: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z877wnb SQA study page, with study plan apps: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/68908.html#:~:text=1%20Avoid%20cramming.%20Lack%20of%20sleep%20stops%20the,your%20own%20study%20plan%20with%20our%20MyStudyPlan.%20 SQA study page: https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/41319.html Cornell notes: https://medium.goodnotes.com/study-with-ease-the-best-way-to-take-notes-2749a3e8297b. Also episodes 3,4 and 5 from this series on specific subjects (Biol, Phys, and Chem respectively). Remember BBC bitesize, Scholar (and chemistry only, Evans2chemweb, log in ‘Falkirk’ pw ‘cogs’
Brief discussion on some aspects of climate change from two teachers. We are not climate change scientists but man-made climate change is the current scientific paradigm and the scientific debate is on how to slow down this change. Additional information can be found here: https://ukcop26.org, here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-56837908 and here: https://www.channel4.com/news/topic/climate-change
In this episode Ms Mulholland and Ms Stroud answer some questions on the links between music and science, the music they like, and the benefits of studying music. We also premier our new science jingle created by Paul Bosewicz 👍
Mr Atkinson talks about light and refraction - a topic covered in s1 which has relevance in terms of glasses and lenses, and while it would need very high level maths to explain, we can give a good explanation with simple models.
In this episode I speak to PC Dodds about how he came to be a policeman, his background education in science and how it has benefitted, and his current scientific interest in honeybees and education.
In this episode we hear from Mr Forsyth about his journey into teaching and from Ms Wylie, our technician. What subject does Mr Forsyth teach? What did he study at University before changing? How many jobs has Ms Wylie had? Which High School did she go to?
Mr Short and MR Forsyth give some last minute advice before your chemistry assessments next week. Good luck in all your assessments.
Mrs Ross, Mr Jarvie and Mr McNeish give their top tips for upcoming Physics assessments.
They give tips on graphs, calculations, scheduling your time, using past papers and ensuring you get enough sleep! Excellent advice to arrive at your assessment in top form. Good luck.
Mrs Crosbie, Ms Collins and Ms Campbell give good luck messages and final tip before the Biology assessment next week.
In this episode we meet Ms Collins and Ms Campbell from our Biology department. What degree did Ms Collins read at University? Which University did she go to? What is Ms Campbell's position in the department? How long has she been teaching? Who inspired these teachers to choose teaching as a career?
This podcast listens to Mr Atkinson and Mr McNeish tell us a little about themselves and how they got into teaching. Which two teachers are mentioned in the podcast? What subject do they teach? Which country did one teach in for two years? Which film is one a fan of?