The Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society and SETPOINT Greater Manchester Present: A Challenge For Tomorrow??s Citizens: Generating Electricity for the Future
The Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society
??To promote the advancement of education and the widening of public interest in, and appreciation of, any form of literature, science, the arts and public affairs.??
The Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society
Founded in 1781, the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society is ??one of the oldest learned societies in the country.?? The Society is 400 members strong and consists of; scientists, engineers, manufacturers, surgeons, physicians, mathematicians, and industrialists. Past members include; James Prescott Joule, John Dalton, Ernest Rutherford, and Peter Mark Roget.
Working in close association with the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, the University of Salford, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Royal Society of Arts, and the Institute of Physics, the Manchester Lit and Phil has produced influential publications at the forefront of scientific and industrial innovation. Members are actively involved in the dissemination of this knowledge to the public.
Since 1921, the Society has further promoted the public understanding of science by providing a number of lectures throughout the year for young people of the North West including primary and secondary school students. These lectures, often illustrated by experiments and exhibits, play a vital part in stimulating an interest in science and other subjects including the arts, media and sport.
A Challenge For Tomorrow??s Citizens: Generating Electricity for the Future
The Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society and SETPOINT Greater Manchester are delighted to invite you to nominate a team of up to six students to participate in this exciting challenge for sixth-formers initiated by the Science and Technology section of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society.
At a time of great interest in the UK??s future provision for Electricity Generation it is felt most timely that one of the UK??s oldest Scientific Bodies should be leading the Challenge. Our 16-18 year olds will be adults when the new formula of electricity sourcing will be fully implemented and operational. It is most appropriate that it is our young people who should have their views recognized on the means of electricity generation operating 2020 and beyond.
During PHASE ONE of the Challenge, you will receive an agenda/criterion of the Challenge. To begin with, you will consider your team??s approach to the Challenge and discuss your methods of data collection and analysis, identifying research issues which will enhance your proposal/policy. Your presentation will take the form of a poster presentation (not exceeding the space of four A1 Flip Charts), followed by questions from the team of judges. The judges will assess the presentations and choose six teams in accordance to the pre-given criteria. These teams will be invited to proceed to PHASE TWO. Presentations will take place on Friday 3rd November 2006 at The University of Manchester, School of Chemistry, and will be open for public-viewing.
During PHASE TWO, you will conduct the appropriate research in accordance to your proposal in order to formulate a realistic policy for the generation of electricity. Issues to be considered include: the current/future demand/supply, environmental concerns/solutions, economics/security of generation, technological feasibility, and any other relevant considerations. Access to industry experts will be made available on request. The presentation of your views to a large audience (using means to support your case) will take place on Friday 9th March 2007 at The University of Manchester??s School of Chemistry and will last for twenty minutes followed by five minutes of questions. Your presentation will be judged by a panel of industry experts for the thoroughness of your research and the feasibility/practicality of your views.
AWARDS: On the evening of Friday 9th March 2007, the members of the winning team will each be presented with a laptop computer with a framed certificate noting their success. Their school will be rewarded ??500. Members of the other teams completing PHASE TWO will each receive ??100 and their schools will each receive a framed certificate and a cheque for ??100.
The challenge is being managed by Dr David Ward of SETPOINT Greater Manchester on behalf of the Science and Technology Section of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society:
Tel: 0161 295 2602 Email:davidwardsalford@aol.com
Express your interest in coming to a briefing session on Thursday 6th July 2006 at 16:45 at the University of Manchester, School of Chemistry, Brunswick Street, Manchester. Although desirable, it is not a requirement that schools/colleges be represented at this event to take part in the Challenge.
