51³Ô¹ÏÍø

The podcast finds researchers telling visitors about 3D printing, Lego instruments and snot at the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Festival.

The College’s annual public showcase began with a blast of trumpets and a battering of drums from the band of the Household Cavalry. Over the weekend, thousands of visitors of all ages interacted with 51³Ô¹ÏÍø scientists and their work.

Podcast reporter Sarah Gaunt, a Science Communication MSc student, spoke to a few of the researchers taking part. Plus, we go back 480 million years into the Earth’s history to see what ancient creatures dominated the environment.

The podcast is presented by Gareth Mitchell, a lecturer on 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's Science Communication MSc course and the presenter of , with contributions from our roaming reporters from the Research Communications group.

OR LISTEN TO INDIVIDUAL CHAPTERS

– The news team discuss the latest 51³Ô¹ÏÍø research on the evolution of pop music and a study forecasting how life expectancy will change in England and Wales by 2030.

– A giant nose reveals how we defend ourselves against viruses and bacteria, and a light spectrometer proves that complex scientific instruments can be made from Lego.

– explains what newly found fossils tell us about the creatures that dominated in the Ordovician period, 480 million years ago.

– Researchers demonstrate what you can make with a 3D printer and use chocolate to demystify clinical trials.