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New Scientist Live
Vicky Veselichka, L6N
On Thursday 28 October a group of
Bancroftians gathered under the
tower. We walked to Woodford
Station and scrambled onto a train,
then onto another one and after
that onto a third one. We arrived
at the Excel Centre, conveniently
connected to the station we got off
at, and proceeded to wait in front
of what I can only explain as huge,
white garage doors. We were
given wristbands, asked to queue
and then told to stand back as the
doors came up. It felt much like the
reveal in every superhero movie
ever; however, behind our big
white garage doors there was not
only one cool gadget, there were
hundreds.
We were told we could explore the facilities
on our own, and explore we did. My group
first went on a Virtual Reality Roller-coaster,
something I would recommend to anyone
who is fortunate enough to come by one.
Although I have never been on an actual
roller-coaster I can guarantee that the VR
one is hundreds of times better than the
real thing. It feels just as crazy and scary
as a real one but the danger of getting
stuck upside down for half an hour due to
a glitch in Thorpe Park’s computer system
is eliminated. Of course, I was expecting
that everything that was to follow would
seem somewhat low tech due to this
amazing first experience, but I was wrong.
We were able to “drive” the fastest land
vehicle ever created, which had three
engines one of which had a sole purpose
of controlling the fuel valve. It was crazy to
even imagine actually driving something
with such power. We went to a talk which
enlightened us on some of
the biggest computers in use,
for examples those used to
control rockets. My personal
favourite experience was
collecting six brain shaped
stress balls. As I write this I
am currently in possession of
only one as I was persuaded
by other members of the trip
who didn’t get one that they
would be grateful if I was
gracious enough to give them
one from my collection.
Overall, the trip was an amazing
experience and one I would very
much recommend to anyone
who has the opportunity to go.
I was one of the only students on
the trip who doesn’t take sciences but was
fortunate enough to be there because I’d
chosen to take mathematics A level. I have
to say, however, that it did not impair my
experience at all. The exhibition was much
more showcasing what cool things maths
and sciences could do rather than
bombarding you with knowledge you’d likely
never use again. I thoroughly enjoyed myself
and hope that this will encouraged next
year’s students to go, especially girls who
think that they will feel out of place due to
male domination in the field of science and
especially engineering.
MATHS AND SCIENCES 5
Computer Science Trip to Oxford University
Ankita Redla, 5W
On Tuesday 13 June, eleven Bancroft’s pupils
embarked on a trip to Oxford University with Miss
Korcz and Mrs Tindall. Although some were tired due
to the very early start we had plenty of time to rest
and recuperate on the train journey. After leaving
the station we walked to the venue, giving us plenty
of time to take in our surrounding and picture our
potential future home of studies.
Upon arrival on site we were directed into the lecture hall where
we were to spend most of our day listening to engaging speakers
talk about studying computer science and its applications. To
begin, there was an interesting analogy using a strand of DNA to
describe the technical and detailed nature of computer science.
The talks which followed were short and speakers changed every
15 minutes to give us an overview of studying computer science,
the developments in the field and potential exciting applications.
For example, using flight data to map travel and the applications of
using computer science for a fairer voting system. The lectures were
not only interesting but also challenged our minds.
At midday we went onto our much-anticipated tour of a campus at
the University. We were directed to St Hugh’s College, one of the
only campuses where it is permitted to walk on the grass fields!
Walking through the campus, the library and grounds were truly
breathtaking and inspiring. One of the most memorable talks was a
‘Day in the Life of a Computer Science Student’, which motivated us
even more into wanting to study at Oxford. After a long, but highly
worthwhile and inspiring day, we boarded back onto the train and
returned home.