J Science

Ecologists claim there are more than 840 spiders per square meter of pasture and that water voles are our most catastrophically endangered small mammal. But how can they actually confirm this? This course outlines 1) the practical science of ecology, 2) the survey techniques used to count species and understand how different habitats, plant and animal communities work, and 3) how this information prioritises species conservation programmes.

Every 2 weeks on Mondays 15:00–16:30

18 Oct to 29 Nov

Venue: Zoom

Clashes: B05R B06T E16U E17V J19N K05Z K06L

J21R Biology for Health 2

Max: 8, Sessions: 8

Tutor / Leader: Mrs Janet MACGREGOR

Eight sessions where one body system will be presented and discussed per week. Pathology will be discussed in relation to how to keep healthy. This is a second run of Biology for Health 1.

Weekly on Mondays 14:00–16:00

3 Jan to 21 Feb

Venue: Host’s house. Check your programme for details.

Clashes: B06T E16U E17V F23P

J22T Astronomy

Max: 8, Sessions: 12

Tutor / Leader: Mr Dermot STEWART

Cooking is a Game you can eat; Astronomy is a Science you can see. We will survey the thirty main constellations on view in our night skies. We will follow the development of knowledge, which keeps coming in. We will discuss the myths/legends of other civilisations. Bring your questions for us all to ponder.

Weekly on Tuesdays 10:30–12:00

26 Oct to 30 Nov, 11 Jan to 15 Feb

Venue: Host’s house. Check your programme for details.

Clashes: B09W B10X C16T C17U C18V C19W C20X E18W E19X E20Y F24R F25T F26U F27V F28W G05W G06X M06N M01W M02X M03Y M04Z

J23U Weights and Measures

Max: 50, Sessions: 1

Tutor / Leader: Mr Peter COOMBS

This session considers the units needed to measure length, volume and mass, and how their definition in the International System of Units (SI) has changed over the years culminating in redefinitions that came into operation on 20 May 2019. The current definitions are now linked to a number of physical constants for which exact numbers have been fixed, and no longer rely on reference objects such as a metal cylinder for the kilogram.

Tuesday 15:30–17:00

9 Nov

Venue: Zoom

Clashes: B11Y E18W E21Z F30Y F31Z

J24V Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Max: 50, Sessions: 1

Tutor / Leader: Mr Peter COOMBS

The phrase ‘omega-3’ is often mentioned on food packaging and in health supplement catalogues, and this session outlines the chemistry of saturated, unsaturated and trans fatty acids with particular emphasis on those in the omega-3 and omega-6 categories. We will also look at the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the cardiovascular system, including those claimed for the Eskimo diet.

Tuesday 15:30–17:00

8 Feb

Venue: Zoom

Clashes: B13L C21Y E21Z F29X F30Y F32L

J25W Mediterranean Diet: History, Science and Fiction (Passing 70+, part 1)

Max: 25, Sessions: 1

Tutor / Leader: Mrs Mira PETROVIC

As you age, you may notice you don’t remember as easily as in the past, or memories may start to take a little longer to retrieve. Brain training and learning new skills can help you to keep your memory sharp. A healthy diet and exercise improve your memory and wellbeing. The latest research suggest that Mediterranean diet is particularly beneficial to maintain health.

Wednesday 11:00–12:30

6 Oct

Venue: Lounge, St Mary Bredin Church, Nunnery Fields, Canterbury, CT1 3JN

Clashes: A13Z H07Z

J26X Mediterranean Diet: History, Science and Fiction (Passing 70+,

part 2)

Max: 25, Sessions: 1

Tutor / Leader: Dr Clive ASKEW

The Mediterranean Diet was first noted for the number of people surviving to healthy old age. It was then studied through the 1950s–1980s within the ‘Seven Countries Study’, which gave rise to the saturated fat / cholesterol hypothesis of heart disease in men under 65.

Since then, it has become widely mis-represented as being near-vegetarian, whilst the importance of the seafood element of the ‘Maritime Mediterranean Diet’, the most favourable in that study, is being overlooked.

Wednesday 11:00–12:30

13 Oct

Venue: Lounge, St Mary Bredin Church, Nunnery Fields, Canterbury, CT1 3JN

Clashes: A13Z H07Z

J27Y The Nature of Mathematics

Max: 45, Sessions: 2

Tutor / Leader: Mr Mike FLETCHER

BUT IS IT MATHEMATICS?

We will examine what is meant by an activity being mathematical.

Questions such as these will be addressed:

Is the London Underground map a mathematical construct?

Are mazes mathematical?

Does mathematics necessarily require calculation?

Delegates will need to bring pencil/pen and paper.

Weekly on Thursdays 10:30–12:00

7 Oct to 14 Oct

Venue: Upper Room, St Mary Bredin Church, Nunnery Fields, Canterbury, CT1 3JN

Clashes: B14N B15P C24N F34P

J28Z Problems in the Materials World

Max: 10, Sessions: 5

Tutor / Leader: Prof Alan CHADWICK

We will look at the history of materials and the current need to produce materials with properties to meet environmental and energy challenges. Last century saw the development of new materials such as super-alloys, synthetic plastics, ‘smart materials’, and liquid crystals. Case studies will cover specific problems; e.g. X-rays, nanotechnology, electric vehicles and materials in archaeological conservation, with special reference to the Mary Rose.

A scientific background is not essential and sessions will be self-contained.

Weekly on Thursdays 10:30–12:30

11 Nov to 9 Dec

Venue: Zoom

Clashes: B14N B15P C24N F34P F35R

J29L Pictures of Home: Iconic Images of our Planet

Max: 25, Sessions: 1

Tutor / Leader: Prof Bob NEWPORT

From the early space probes, through the age of lunar exploration and thence from the deepest reaches of our solar system have come some amazing images of our home planet. We’ll take a look at a few of them—a small selection of the photos that have had an impact on me. Not surprisingly, this will be a very personal reflection on one small aspect of space exploration.

Thursday 10:00–12:00

10 Mar

Venue: Lounge, St Mary Bredin Church, Nunnery Fields, Canterbury, CT1 3JN

Clashes: B16R B17T K09R

J30N Sound

Max: 50, Sessions: 2

Tutor / Leader: Prof Bob NEWPORT

The fortunate majority of us are able to derive a great deal from sounds we hear, whether via conversation with family and friends, listening to music or whatever. We’ll explore aspects of the soundscape around us using a few principles of physics; fear not —there’ll be no mathematics, just a lot of images and . . . well, sound. For instance, how well have your ears aged? Come and find out, and discover a lot more besides.

Weekly on Thursdays 10:00–12:00

17 Mar to 24 Mar

Venue: Upper Room, St Mary Bredin Church, Nunnery Fields, Canterbury, CT1 3JN

Clashes: B15P B16R B17T K09R

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