The Royal Institution are very keen to continue to work with Rotary and the expectation is that, given a fair wind, Excitement of Science will be back at the RI in Summer 2008 but with an earlier than normal build up and engagement with participating schools. With strong support of past RIBI President and Director of Rotary International, Gordon McInally, we are confident of a successful event in 2008. We are building a two year programme involving two prominent scientists from the National Oceanographic Centre in Southampton, Dr Ken Collins and Dr Simon Boxall, two of the subject's most exciting and knowledgeable experts.

 

The Plan is as follows:

 

Major Project

Be part of a world-wide team collecting and analysing data to try to determine when the Gulf Stream will next switch off. That is part of the natural planetary cycle and will, for us, make man-induced climate change (is such there is) seem trivial.

 

Minor Project.

Determine how Arctic planktons feeding patterns change with the seasons. This will be done only by the EoS participants.

 

Timetable:

Imminently

Contact to be made with Rotary EoS supporters with outline plans and details will also be sent to Rotary Districts as usual.

 

August - October 2007

An opportunity for "day trip" sea time on board RV Callista and RV Faraday, looking at the laminal fresh and sea-water flows in Southampton Water. This is technically similar to the Artic currents being investigated through the two research projects.

 

Feb 2008

Website goes live as usual with teaching information and access to research data.

 

2008 RIBI Assembly

Promote the EoS project for 2009.

 

June 2008

Gather in the Faraday Theatre as usual and experience the chemical extravaganza in the morning and explore the research results in the afternoon; the Excitement of Science!

We are confident of a strong Excitement of Science programme for 2008 and beyond.