Science Snaps are one-minute ‘Snaps’ on a range of topical science issues recorded by seven of Aberdeen’s scientists which will be broadcast all this week on Northsound Radio One as part of a celebration of National Science Week. The ‘Snaps’ are backed-up by a new website www.sciencesnaps.co.uk where you can listen to the Snaps again, explore the science topic further, ask the scientists questions and enter a competition to record your own Science Snap.

“The scientists who participated in this project had to condense their thoughts into around forty seconds to leave enough space for the introduction and tail piece to the Snap. They all rose to this challenge magnificently and I think they quite enjoyed themselves,” said Dr Sue Bird, who has coordinated the project on behalf of the Aberdeen Branch of the BA and the Rowett Research Institute.

“Aberdeen has such a large scientific community it was really hard to choose the topics and individuals to do the ‘Snaps’, but we have ended-up with a great mix of subjects and people. For instance, Professor Marcel Jaspars from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Aberdeen talks about his floating chemistry lab where he is investigating seasquirts as potential sources of new drugs and Alex Johnstone from the Rowett Institute is asking the question `Does dieting make you fat?”

Liz Robertson, the Regional Officer for the BA, who has overall responsibility for all the activities during National Science Week said “We hope that Science Snaps will inspire local people to get involved during National Science Week. There’s a whole range of activities going on and you can find out everything you need to know at the website www.sciencesnaps.co.uk. Why not enter the competition to write your own Science Snap? The winner will get the chance to record it at Northsound Radio, for broadcast at a later date.”

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For further information please contact Sue Bird, 01224 716668, 07711 093417

National Science Week celebrates science and its importance to our lives. People across the UK are encouraged to take part in a huge range of science activities, experiments, talks and discussions. The ‘week’ is an annual event, co-ordinated by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) and attracts hundreds of thousands of participants.

For further information about National Science Week in the North of Scotland contact BA Regional Officer, Liz Robertson, on 013397 41040 or view the full National Science Week programme online at www.the-ba.net/nsw

The Rowett Research Institute, ABERDEEN, AB21 9SB, is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for nutrition research. We undertake research to improve food quality and prevent disease. Further information available at www.rowett.ac.uk
The Rowett Research Institute is sponsored by SEERAD (www.scotland.gov.uk).