How to take maths out of the classroom

The third Frank Morton lecture will be presented to 'A' level students across Manchester by Prof David Shallcross on Tuesday 13 March, entitled 'Fingerprinting Dolphins and Other Adventures in Maths'

Leading academic Professor David Shallcross, from the University of Melbourne, Australia, will deliver the third IChemE Frank Morton lecture to 'A' level students across Manchester.

The event, entitled 'Fingerprinting Dolphins and Other Adventures in Maths', will take place at the Manchester Conference Centre on Tuesday 13th March as part of National Science and Engineering Week.

In his lively and interactive lecture, Shallcross will demonstrate how scientists and engineers apply simple maths to challenges in the real world.

These include:.

* fingerprinting dolphins by measuring their dorsal fins.

* inventing greenhouses that could be built on Mars.

* erecting obelisks in Ancient Egypt.

* designing the Thames Barrier.

Students can also get involved in a risk assessment for making a cup of tea, which demonstrates how engineers use maths to carry out a HAZOP analysis.

This is where engineers identify hazards and other potential problems when process conditions deviate from the norm.

Professor David Shallcross is an innovative educator who is recognised internationally for his significant contribution to chemical engineering education.

He established the IChemE international journal Education for Chemical Engineers in 2006.

"Engineering is really exciting but in order to do it you have to get to grips with maths.

I want to show students how we use the maths taught in classrooms everyday to do some pretty clever stuff in the real world.

This will encourage schoolchildren to take an interest and choose a career in science, maths and engineering, and help to secure the next generation of chemical engineers capable of solving some of society's greatest challenges," said Professor Shallcross.

Following the lecture, the IChemE qualifications vice-president, Professor Colin Grant, will present Professor Shallcross with the Frank Morton medal, which was established in memory of the Institution's past president who died in 1999.

The event will take place from 1800 until 1930.

Tickets are free although numbers are limited.

Students interested in attending should ask their teaches to get in touch with IChemE by calling Lucy Taylor by phone or email.

For more information about the lecture, visit the website.

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