Storytelling on 21 March

Science Fair in Saxon Square 21 March 11am-4pm

Catch up with Martin Maudsley's developing story of the Tides at the following times on Saturday 21 March. Each session is bound to be different with audience participation a key part of the sessions.
Martin will be performing at various times through the day in the Library and also in the Marquee in Saxon Square:

11:30 -12:00 Storytime, LIBRARY
1:00 – 1:30 Storytime in the tent
2:15 -2:45 Storytime, LIBRARY
3:15 – 3:45 Storytime in the tent

Friday, March 20, 2015

Macronutrients in the harbour

Athena Drakou and Jack Billinge of Southampton University joined the TNT club on Saturday to talk about the study they are involved in looking at the nutrients in the harbour.

For the past 12 months the macronutrient study has been monitoring the nutrient water quality in the harbour and in the Avon and Stour Rivers, part of their work has been examining pollution levels when the sediments are stirred up by storms. 

From their website live data feed, you can see how the levels and the salinity of the harbour change with the tide.

As well as practical activities were learned about the differences between phytoplankton and zoo plankton

 come along to the Fair in the Square on 21 March to find out more! 

Nutrients come from run off from farming land. The nutrient enriched water can cause major problems by causing growth of algae, using up the oxygen in the water that can damage fish stocks or lead to poisonous algal types. 

After the science club we visited the pontoon on the sandspit and heard about the measurements that are being made. The video below shows the sampling systems being set up.

Monday, March 09, 2015

Microscope Madness

STEM Ambassador Genoveva Estaban from Bournemouth University has signed up to take part in the Science Fair in the Square to be held at Saxon Square in Christchurch on 21 March. 

Children and grown-ups attending the event will be making microscope preparations and will be using high-definition microscopes to observe microscopic organisms that are part of the marine plankton in the harbour.  Through handling and observing living microscopic creatures, Microscope Madness will encourage science debate with inquisitive children, parents/carers and grandparents. One of the event’s aims is to develop a two-way discussion to get children and grown-ups to challenge us on topics such as (but not limited to): the functioning of a food chain, from microbes to the fish we eat; the human impact on the aquatic environment, e.g. pollution of lakes and sea and its link with harmful toxic algal blooms; the role of microbes in cleaning sewage water.

Dr Esteban’s research focuses on microscopic life in the sea, in fresh waters and even in soils.  During the event she will be running Microscope Madness – a hands-on, family scientific activity that incorporates the use of high-quality microscopes and the unique observation of aquatic microscopic life in Christchurch Barbour.  Revealing the wondrous life of organisms hidden from the naked eye, the event will be popular with the curious and ever intrigued children and general public.

Tuesday, March 03, 2015