How Future Scientists Learn About the Future of Science

“Do you like pizza?” Jay, a first-year student, discusses his group’s research in front of a giant poster of a slice of cheese. “Then you might also like mushroom cheese.” He’s not the only one giving a smooth presentation: In the Van Steenis Building auditorium, 20 students share excited stories about the science of the future.

This meeting concludes the Science Skills Lab, a challenging course where first-year students delve deeply into progressive science. It is part of Honors College Course in Science and Life SciencesWhich aims to challenge students of mathematics, natural sciences and biomedical sciences.

Cheerful and strong

During this symposium, these students will present everything they have discovered about their topics. In addition to the scientific innovations, the presentation format is also essential: everyone is tasked with conveying their discoveries in as understandable and accessible a way as possible. So there is no stuffy talk at the conference. Instead, all the venues are equipped with cheerful posters, openings and powerful tools.

For example, Ravi carries a mysterious shoebox during his story. Its connection to innovations in X-rays is not made clear until halfway through. “This new technology is more portable,” the student says as he opens the box. From there, Ravi takes a much smaller box and holds it between his thumb and forefinger. This device usually fits inside a regular X-ray machine. So it could easily go in an ambulance.

New perspective

You might almost forget it because of the pace, but behind all the flashy presentations are months of research. The students delved into their subjects, learned how to work together in a research centre and interviewed scientists. The latter was particularly impressive. The X-ray team were surprised by their expert, Mark explains: “We wondered at first if he would take us seriously, but he was really enthusiastic.”

Students say their time in the Science Skills Lab has changed their perspective on science. This has been especially noticeable to Michel, who has been researching what citizens can do for science with his team. At first, he was skeptical. “Scientists don’t need help, I thought.” But the research and interviews have changed Michel’s mind. “Citizens can collect a lot of data very quickly,” he says with a smile. “And really good data, too!” The student says that volunteers can make a big difference in science.

get off

Between the playgrounds, the students walk up and down to the stage, where a pen and a black hat sit next to a stack of brightly colored cards. It turns out to be an impromptu voting system: Passersby write their name on a notepad and place it in their hat. Teacher Julie Schorl has tied the contest into the seminar, where students can vote for themselves on which story they think is the best.

The results will be announced after an hour and a half of presentations, when student assistants will hand out pizzas and count the votes. Prizes are up for grabs for best poster and best presentation, Schurl reports. The cheese slice wins the beauty prize: It stands out immediately because of its striking design and clearly divides the many subtopics through its many holes. And the best presentation? It was actually the X-ray package, which managed to grab attention with an interesting box and a strong story—a valuable skill for future scientists.

Text: Luke Werkman
Photos: Boro GB