Science and Technology group has been running since the start of Thornbury u3a. After a short break due to Covid lockdown, the groups re-started in October 2020 initially on Zoom. These are the topics covered since our re-start:
2020
- Oil & Gas Exploration (including how to drill around corners)
- Harry Grindell Matthews – a local Genius or Charlatan?
2021:
- Colour - what makes grass look green?
- Gut Biome - bacteria that keep us healthy
- Digital Computing - how it all started
- Playschool and a Plague of Rabbits - the ubiquity of the Golden Ratio
- Can we ever communicate with extra-terrestrials?
- Letter from America - the technology of retired life in Florida
- History of numerals - we've not always counted like we do now
- Batteries - how long can they keep going?
- "Ingenuity" - flying over Mars
- Sulphur - a most intriguing element
2022:
- Calendars - how long are the days, months and years?
- How long (statistically) will you live?
- Aviation in the 19th Century - flight before the Wright brothers.
- Renewable energy and the Grid - are they compatible?
- Controlled flight; a practical demonstration.
- Carbon - from soot to mad cows.
- The Sound of Music - why we all like different music.
- Victorian Filth - is it still around today?
2023:
- Open discussion on the science of Climate Change
- The Hydrogen Economy - is it a realistic prospect?
- Behavioural Economics - following mental "Rules of thumb" can leave us poorer
- Epigenetics and Human Health - Life's much more than just DNA
- Technology in Commodities Trading - a bit like changing from Riddiford's to Ocado
- Vertical flight - getting airborne
- Anti-tank weapons - making an impact
- Navigation - an innate capability aided by technology
- Matthew Boulton - industrialist
- Heat Pumps - blowing hot and cold
2024:
- Open discussion on the role of science and scientists in today's society
- Artificial Intelligence I - Large Language Models - getting an answer to your query
- Artificial Intelligence II - Media - not just a pretty picture
- The UK Space Agency - yes, we do have one!
All our speakers and contributors are from within Thornbury u3a. Many thanks to them all.