In September 2011 the Ri hosted its first Unconference, a day designed to stimulate thought, conversation, creativity and debate amongst young people.
Held in partnership with the L'Oreal Young Scientist Centre, the event saw almost 150 teenagers between the ages of 14 to 18 discuss three key issues facing the future of science in the UK: the environment, the media, and education and careers.
After listening to four expert speakers - and contributing to the conversation via Twitter and email - the delegates were asked to make their own recommendations to policy makers.
This Collection showcases the highlights from the event as well as the four keynote speeches, including:
- Environmentalist and former Ri Christmas Lecturer Professor Hugh Montgomery outlining – in the starkest terms – the responsibility of future generations to tackle the global environmental crisis;
- Science publicist Sallie Robins discussing the popular portrayal of science and the growing tensions between the media and the UK science community;
- Physics teacher Alom Shaha thinking about whether the curriculum should create 'future scientists' or make everyone 'scientifically literate'; and
- British space scientist and TV presenter Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock charting her unique career in science.
Above all, the Ri Unconference gave young people the opportunity to engage with professionals as peers and demonstrated their capacity to tackle some of the most complex and serious scientific issues of their generation.
Media Gallery
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The L'Oréal Ri Unconference 2011
Image: Royal Institution
The L'Oréal Ri Unconference 2011
Image: Royal Institution
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Hugh Montgomery: Science and the Environment
Image: Royal Institution
Hugh Montgomery: Science and the Environment
Image: Royal Institution
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Sallie Robins: Science and the Media
Image: Royal Institution
Sallie Robins: Science and the Media
Image: Royal Institution
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Alom Shaha: Science and Education
Image: Royal Institution
Alom Shaha: Science and Education
Image: Royal Institution
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Image: Royal Institution
Image: Royal Institution
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Image: Royal Institution
Image: Royal Institution
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L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre Manager, David Porter
Image: Royal Institution
L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre Manager, David Porter
Image: Royal Institution
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Pupils offer their own opinions on the matters in hand.
Image: Royal Institution
Pupils offer their own opinions on the matters in hand.
Image: Royal Institution
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Participants discuss the relationships of science with the environment, the media and education.
Image: Royal Institution
Participants discuss the relationships of science with the environment, the media and education.
Image: Royal Institution
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Pupils prepare what to say in their speeches.
Image: Royal Institution
Pupils prepare what to say in their speeches.
Image: Royal Institution
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Tweeting about matters on the Ri Unconference agenda in the Writing Room.
Image: Royal Institution
Tweeting about matters on the Ri Unconference agenda in the Writing Room.
Image: Royal Institution
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Participants are asked to make their own recommendations to policy makers.
Image: Royal Institution
Participants are asked to make their own recommendations to policy makers.
Image: Royal Institution
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The young participants give their views on science journalism.
Image: Royal Institution
The young participants give their views on science journalism.
Image: Royal Institution
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The Ri Unconference speakers. From L-R: Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Sallie Robins, Hugh Montgomery, and Alom Shaha.
Image: Royal Institution
The Ri Unconference speakers. From L-R: Maggie Aderin-Pocock, Sallie Robins, Hugh Montgomery, and Alom Shaha.
Image: Royal Institution
Related link(s)
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L'Oreal Young Scientist Centre
Find out more...
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L'Oreal
www.loreal-paris.co.uk
- Unconference (Wikipedia)
- British Science Association (BSA)
- The Association for Science Education (ASE)
- Sense about Science
- School Science
