University of Gloucestershire experts will present imaginative talks with a special Christmas twist that will engage, educate and entertain school and college students from across Gloucestershire this festive season.
Professor Anne Goodenough’s The Nature of Christmas: Wildlife Spectacles, Traditions, Myths and Legends will answer intriguing questions with links to biology, geography, history, literature, art and music, such as: why do we have Christmas trees and wreaths?; why are robins such a prominent feature of Christmas cards?; and why do reindeer pull Santa’s sleigh?
Professor Adam Hart’s presentation entitled The Science of Christmas will explore physics and chemistry with a festive theme, including an exploration of the energy of food, colours and candles, and how ordinary kitchen equipment and chocolate can measure the speed of light – the speed at which Santa travels through the night sky.
Aimed at Years 10 to 13, the talks are free. The Nature of Christmas: Wildlife Spectacles, Traditions, Myths and Legends is on Friday, 6 December (12.30pm to 2pm) at Park Campus, while The Science of Christmas is on Friday, 13 December (12.30pm to 2pm) at Francis Close Hall.
Jordan Wintle, Associate Head of the University’s School of Education and Science, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be hosting our Christmas talks for schools and colleges within our community this year.
“Professor Goodenough and Professor Hart (pictured) are renowned experts in their respective fields and we’re confident that their creative and insightful talks will prove to be both entertaining and educational to students and teachers alike.
“We’re very much looking forward to welcoming students and staff from our partner schools and colleges and making new connections with other potential partners looking to find out more about what we can offer.”
