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Palace opens its doors to science Palace opens its doors to science
(39 minutes later)
Buckingham Palace has welcomed scientists, interactive displays and experiments to celebrate science.Buckingham Palace has welcomed scientists, interactive displays and experiments to celebrate science.
More than 800 GCSE and A Level students filled the grand ballroom for Science Day, which aims to inspire enjoyment and excitement in the subject.More than 800 GCSE and A Level students filled the grand ballroom for Science Day, which aims to inspire enjoyment and excitement in the subject.
Amid the chandeliers, a replica of a dinosaur-era reptile, the pterosaur, was suspended from the ceiling.
The displays highlighted advances in fields such as medicine, engineering and space exploration.The displays highlighted advances in fields such as medicine, engineering and space exploration.
The exhibitions included the Secret Life of Diving Mammals and How to Build a Human.
'Spectacular''Spectacular'
Exhibitions at the palace included the Secret Life of Diving Mammals and How to Build a Human. Amid the chandeliers, a replica of a dinosaur-era reptile, the pterosaur, was suspended from the ceiling. There was also a giant mosquito on display.
Professor Colin Pillinger, who headed the team that developed the Beagle space probe that was lost during an attempt to land on Mars, said the palace event was "absolutely spectacular".Professor Colin Pillinger, who headed the team that developed the Beagle space probe that was lost during an attempt to land on Mars, said the palace event was "absolutely spectacular".
It's amazing, it looks like the place was made for exhibitions like this," he said. "It's amazing, it looks like the place was made for exhibitions like this," he said.
He was showing a collection of cartoons called Mars in their Eyes, highlighting the quest to explore the red planet.
He said it was important to show that scientists had a sense of humour.
"If they could learn something about life through our mistakes then that's great," he said.
He said the question most students had asked him was whether there was going to be another Beagle expedition.
"I hope there will be, I have not given up yet," he said.
What we want to show is that science is about solving problems and about explaining about the way the world works Stephen Cox, Royal Society
Araventhy Nanthanan, 16, from Burntwood secondary school in Wandsworth, south London who is studying A-level chemistry and physics, was among the students at the event.Araventhy Nanthanan, 16, from Burntwood secondary school in Wandsworth, south London who is studying A-level chemistry and physics, was among the students at the event.
"It's really fun," he said. "I didn't think that everything would be so interactive. There's a lot more technology. It's strange to see it all at Buckingham Palace.""It's really fun," he said. "I didn't think that everything would be so interactive. There's a lot more technology. It's strange to see it all at Buckingham Palace."
'Solving problems' Inspirational
Science Day was organised with support from the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, Research Councils UK and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.Science Day was organised with support from the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, Research Councils UK and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.
Stephen Cox, executive secretary of the Royal Society, said: "There's the general feeling that somehow science creates problems, rather than solves them. As part of the day long celebrations the Queen visited London's Science Museum to open the Smith Centre which promotes Britain's scientific heritage.
The new centre brings together key figures in science, culture, academia and business to encourage greater philanthropic support for science.
Mr Earwicker said: "She (The Queen) said how important it was to raise the interest in science, particularly for young people, to inspire future generations of scientists."
What we want to show is that science is about solving problems and about explaining about the way the world works Stephen Cox, Royal Society
The Queen also met some of the Science Museum's `explainers', who help visitors understand the workings behind the exhibits.
Speaking about the day, Stephen Cox, executive secretary of the Royal Society, said: "There's the general feeling that somehow science creates problems, rather than solves them.
"So what we want to show is that science is about solving problems and about explaining about the way the world works.""So what we want to show is that science is about solving problems and about explaining about the way the world works."
He said there was a need to encourage more students to take up sciences, and that he was also worried about the numbers of people teaching subjects like maths and physics.He said there was a need to encourage more students to take up sciences, and that he was also worried about the numbers of people teaching subjects like maths and physics.
In the evening, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will host a Buckingham Palace reception for 500 members of the British scientific community including Professor Stephen Hawking and Carol Vorderman, co-host of Channel 4's Countdown programme. The day was set to conclude with a reception at Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh for 500 members of the British scientific community including Professor Stephen Hawking and Carol Vorderman, co-host of Channel 4's Countdown programme.