FSTC in the British Science Festival in Surrey
The British Science Festival is one of Europe’s largest science festivals, taking place each September. The Festival is in a different location in the UK each year, bringing to the public the latest in science, technology and engineering.
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The British Science Festival is one of the UK’s biggest Science Festivals. Annually, it attracts around 400 of the best scientists and science communicators from home and abroad, where they reveal the latest developments in research to a general audience at a week long event held at a different location each September. The Festival is organised by The British Science Association (formerly known as the BA). Established in 1831, the BSA organises major initiatives across the UK, including the annual British Science Festival, National Science and Engineering Week, programmes of regional and local events, and an extensive programme for young people in schools and colleges.
This year, the British Science Festival will be hosted by the University of Surrey from 5- 10 September 2009 with events taking place in Guildford and various venues across Surrey. The week long programme of events features debates, workshops, talks, plays, films, excursions and field trips, hands-on activities and more. There’ll be something for everyone from families and schoolchildren to practising scientists and local businesses.
Among the activities organised during the Festival, three sessions were dedicated to debates centred on the scientific and technological legacy of the Islamic civilisation and its impact on our world. These sessions are organised by the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation (FSTC) and will be animated by key members and associates among the experts and specialists working with the Foundation.
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The three sessions are:
Session 1: 07/09/2009
Copernicus and the Astronomy of Medieval Islam
To be held at the University of Surrey on 7 September 2009 (start time: 10:00 – end time: 12:00).
Event summary:
One of the most important and famous revolutions in the history of science was Copernicus’ confirmation of the heliocentric model of our solar system. Join Jim Al-Khalili and guest speakers to find out how Copernicus would not have achieved what he did without knowledge of the work of much earlier Islamic scholars as is evident in his writing and diagrams.
Audience level: For all adults
Event Category: History, heritage and religion
Keyword:History of science, Muslim Heritage.
Venue: LT L, University of Surrey
Programme:
07/09/2009
10:00 – 10:05 Welcome and overview of the session by Professor Jim Al-Khalili OBE – University of Surrey and Vice President of British Science Association
07/09/2009
10:05 – 10:10 Professor Salim Al-Hassani – University of Manchester: Cultural roots of science for Cultural Convergence
One fascinating, yet neglected, area of science is that of its cultural roots. This important aspect of science impinges on all areas of social cohesion, cultural convergence, even World peace. After reviewing the gap in Science taught in schools, this talk will describe some of the virtual 3D reconstructions of many complex medieval machines from Arabic manuscripts.
07/09/2009
10:35 – 11:05 Dr Rim Turkmani – Imperial College: The Legacy of Arabic astronomy
Arabs started their contribution to astronomy by making it a science in its own right. Having inherited astronomy and astrology as one product from the Greek they made a clear distinction between the two. They rejected any astronomical model that did not match observations; they utilised Math and applied it skilfully in astronomy and developed and introduced sophisticated observational instruments
07/09/2009
11:05 – 11:30 Professor Jim Al-Khalili OBE – University of Surrey and Vice President of British Science Association: Copernicus, Revolutionary or Plagiarist
Copernicus is often hailed as the father of modern astronomy. But long before the telescopes, Islamic scholars, virtually unknown in the west, made huge advances using incredibly accurate measurement and rigorous mathematics. This talk will describe how a different version of history has recently been uncovered during the making of the BBC4 series “Science and Islam”.
07/09/2009
11:30 – 12:00 Panel discussion and Questions and Answers
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Session 2: 08/09/2009
Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Celebrating Muslim Heritage in our World
To be held at LT D (Griffiths), University of Surrey.
The session is organised by The Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation and 1001 Inventions Ltd. on 8 September 2009 (start time: 13:30 – end time: 15:30); sponsored by ASE and QCA.
Event Summary:
After the Roman Empire, there was an extraordinary blossoming of scientific activity radiating from Baghdad and along a glittering crescent through North Africa, Spain and into Southern Italy for about a thousand years after 600 CE. Join us to showcase some of the fascinating innovations of this period and explore their relevance in today’s world.
Audience level: For All adults
Event Category: History, heritage and religion
Keyword: Culture, History, Curriculum Enrichment, Engagement
Venue: LT D (Griffiths), University of Surrey
Programme:
08/09/2009
13:30 – 13:00
Dr Anne-Maria Brennan – London South Bank University: Welcome and overview of the session
08/09/2009
13:35 – 13:45
Sir Roland Jackson – British Science Association: Welcome from the British Science Association
08/09/2009
13:45 – 14:00
Dr Anne-Maria Brennan – London South Bank University: Giants from the past
A golden age of civilization, from 600 and 1600 CE, will unfold, as you discover medieval Muslims who were trailblazers in fields as diverse as medicine and mechanics, cartography and chemistry, education and engineering, architecture and astronomy. No area was too obscure to miss the scrutiny of enquiry backed up by rigid scientific experimentation.
08/09/2009
14:00 – 14:15
Ms Marianne Cutler – Association for Science Education: Curriculum Enrichment
The ASE has been working with FSTC with support from QCA to develop, trial and evaluate teaching materials to help teachers with this new part of the Programme of Study. The project aims to enrich the KS3 curriculum and to inspire, challenge, include and support all learners aged KS3 through the production of innovative exemplar materials relevant to science and history.
08/09/2009
14:15 – 14:30
Dr Silke Ackermann – British Museum: Celebrating the past and informing the future
Prepare to embark on a voyage of discovery through a thousand years of science and technology and get a glimpse into the lives of the medieval pioneers whose ingenious inventions have helped create our world today.
08/09/2009
14:30 – 14:00
Professor Mohamed El Gomati – University of York: Optical giants
They say seeing is believing. We rely on Optics everyday. Virtually unknown physicists Al-Kindi, Ibn al-Haytham, and Kamalu-Din Al-Farisi have played crucial roles in developing this science. All three have paved the way to modern Optics by laying a solid foundation of clear physical picture supported with a mathematical rigour that astonishes even today.
08/09/2009
14:45 – 15:15 Panel discussion and Questions and Answers
08/09/2009
15:15 – 15:30 Reception / Refreshment Break
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Session 3: 07/09/2009
The session is organised by The Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation and 1001 Inventions Ltd. on 7 September 2009 (start time: 09:30 – End time: 17:00).
Event Summary:
A fun, facilitated family workshop. Join us to create artistic replicas based on past inventions. Also see a mini exhibition, giving you a fascinating insight into the not-so Dark Ages… Come and light up a page in history.
Audience level: Families (with children aged 12 & under)
Event Category: History, heritage and religion
Keyword: Science
Venue: LT A, University of Surrey
Useful links
Themes of the festival:
The British Science Association
British Science Festival – University of Surrey – Guildford
Announcement of FSTC activities in The British Science Festival 2009 on the website of 1001 Inventions.
Discover the golden
age of Muslim civilisation.
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