Tonight: The Mathematics of Luck, Risk and Gambling

21 Mar 2006

Are you lucky or just obeying the laws of chance? Simon Singh, author of ’‘Fermat's Last Theorem’, ’‘The Code Book’ and ’‘Big Bang’, looks at the mathematics behind various situations involving luck, risk and coincidence, from the casino to the hospital, from the courtroom to the supernatural. Indeed, our lives are dominated by the laws of chance...an oxymoron if ever there was one. Simon will give some examples that illustrate how our intuition often misleads us, and he will demonstrate how mathematics and critical thinking can help us live, thrive and survive.

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Tonight: Gifted scientists and autism: is there a connection

20 Mar 2006

Do the genes for autism and scientific ability run in the same families? Tonight, as part of the ’‘Spotlight on Science’ series at the Cambridge Science Festival, Professor Simon Baron-Cohen will discuss classic autism and Asperger Syndrome, two subgroups on the autistic spectrum.

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Science Success

20 Mar 2006

The Cambridge Science Festival was opened to thousands of visitors on Saturday by celebrity mathematician and University of Cambridge graduate Carol Vorderman and University of Cambridge Vice Chancellor Professor Alison Richard.

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See planets and people at the Cambridge Science Festival

16 Mar 2006

The Cambridge Science Festival kicks off its Science on Saturday with celebrity mathematician and University of Cambridge graduate Carol Vorderman and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge Professor Alison Richard hosting the Grand Opening at 10 am outside the Sedgwick Museum in the Courtyard, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge.

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Tonight: Camera Obscura vision for Cambridge landmark

15 Mar 2006

Issam Kourbaj, artist in residence at Christ’s College, University of Cambridge, has proposed a project designed to recreate a planned 16th century spire designed for Great St Mary’s Church, housing a ’‘camera obscura’ to provide visitors with panoramic views of Cambridge’s spaces and skyline. The talk will be part of the ’‘Spotlight on Science’ lecture series at the Cambridge Science Festival tonight (March 16) from 6-7 pm at the Lady Mitchell Hall, Sidgwick Avenue.

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Science fun to the classroom

08 Mar 2006

As part of the annual Cambridge Science Festival, University of Cambridge academics will be visiting schools in three counties next week (Monday 13 March until Friday 17 March) to provide pupils with the opportunity to see the fun side of science. They will discuss intriguing topics such as nanotechnology, cloning and life beyond earth, and give students an opportunity to understand and explore these complex topics.

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The art of research

07 Mar 2006

Churchill College, University of Cambridge is hosting ’‘On the Way to Things,’ an exhibition of drawings by academics, artists and scientists.

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Picturing astronomers

01 Mar 2006

The University of Cambridge Institute of Astronomy is holding an art competition for primary schools around the country to submit drawings by students of what they think astronomers do. The aim of the competition is to gain insight on how children today view astronomers, and to set up a role-model scheme for graduate students to visit primary schools and inspire students to study science.

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