Light Archives

Science communicator

7 July, 2023/0 Comments/in creative, curious, logical Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Science (Primary) Algebra, Animals Including Humans, Earth and Space, Electricity, Everyday Materials, Evolution and Inheritance, Forces, Forces and Magnets, Geometry, Light, Living Things and Their Habitats, Maths, Measurement, Number, Plants, Position and direction, Primary, Properties of shapes, Rocks, Science, Seasonal Changes, Sound, States of Matter, Statistics/by Melanie Horan

Science communicators communicate science to the general public. They need to make scientific research understandable to people who may not have a background or career in science. Science communicators can be a science journalists or work in a university press office promoting the scientific research carried out by academics. They may deliver science shows or organise events at science festivals, schools or science centres or design and make interactive exhibits for science centres.

Attributes: creative, curious, logical

Useful links:

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Caroline Riggs and a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Ginny Smith who are both science communicators. They also have a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Dr Sarah Bearchell who is a children’s science writer and presenter and a downloadable slideshow about Margaret Donald who is an operations coordinator. It’s part of their resource A Scientist Just Like Me.

Meta researcher

7 July, 2023/0 Comments/in curious, patient, resilient Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Computer Science, Maths (Primary), Science (Primary) Animals Including Humans, Earth and Space, Electricity, Everyday Materials, Evolution and Inheritance, Forces, Forces and Magnets, Light, Living Things and Their Habitats, Maths, Number, Plants, Rocks, Science, Seasonal Changes, Sound, States of Matter, Statistics/by Melanie Horan

Meta researchers study research itself. They study research methods, reporting, reproducibility, evaluation, and incentives. They ensure, promote, and defend robust science, free from biases. They ensure all results from scientific investigations are evidence based.

Attributes: curious, patient, resilient

Useful links:

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Emma Wilson who is an a meta researcher. It’s part of their resource A Scientist Just Like Me.

Photochemist

21 February, 2023/0 Comments/in Communicator, curious, observant Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science (Primary) Animals including humans, Earth and space, Electricity, Light, Plants Animals Including Humans, Earth and Space, Electricity, Light, Plants, Primary, Science/by Melanie Horan

A Photochemist investigates the chemical effects of light. Photochemistry is a chemical reaction caused by absorption of ultraviolet, visible light or infrared radiation or a reaction that produces light. Photochemists may be interested in spectroscopy- splitting up light into it’s different colours to find out about the properties of the object being studied. They may be interested in photosynthesis, the way a plant generates energy from light. They may also study animals who use bioluminescence to signal to other animals or to lure prey.

Attributes: observant, curious, communicator

Useful links:

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has a video of James Mortimer, a photochemist in his place of work talking about what he does.
It’s part of their resource A Scientist Just Like Me.

Solar Scientist

21 February, 2023/0 Comments/in curious, observant, resilient Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Physics, Science (Primary) Earth and Space, Light, Maths, Science, Statistics/by Melanie Horan

A solar scientist is a type of astrophysicist who studies the Sun and it’s interactions with the Earth. They make detailed measurements of our nearest star using observations from solar satellites. Solar scientists study the impact of the sun on the Earth and on our technology. They are working on ways to capture solar energy more effectively which could slow down global warming.

Attributes: resilient, curious and observant

Useful links:

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Helen Mason who is a solar scientist and another downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Dr Stephanie Yardley who is a space scientist.
There is also this video of Helen Mason a solar scientist in her place of work talking about what she does.
It’s part of their resource A Scientist Just Like Me.

Lighting Technician

13 January, 2018/0 Comments/in collaborative, hard-working, patient Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Maths (Primary), Science (Primary) Light, Maths - Measurement Light, Maths, Measurement, Primary, Science/by Jonathan

Lighting Technicians are also known as Lighting Operators or Lighting Electricians and they usually specialise in film and TV, or theatre, concerts and live events. Their work can range from basic spotlighting to operating strobes, lasers and pyrotechnics. They may be the only lighting technician on a theatre production, or part of a large crew on a concert tour or feature film. Duties can include setting up the lighting equipment before a shoot starts, carrying out lighting tests, programming and operating manual and computer-controlled lighting systems, or taking down the equipment after shows or filming.

Attributes: patient, hard-working, collaborative

Optometrist

13 January, 2018/0 Comments/in communicative, open-minded, resilient Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Maths (Primary), Science (Primary) Light, Maths - Measurement, Maths - Number, Maths - Ratio and Proportion Addition and subtraction, Fractions, Light, Maths, Measurement, Multiplication and division, Number, Number and place value, Primary, Ratio and Proportion, Science/by Jonathan

Optometrists were previously known as opticians and are trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, signs of injury, ocular diseases or abnormality. They are also able to detect problems with general health, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. They make a health assessment, offer clinical advice, and prescribe spectacles or contact lenses. They refer patients to an ophthalmologist for further treatment when necessary.

Attributes: resilient, communicative, open-minded

Ophthalmologist

13 January, 2018/0 Comments/in hard-working, organised, patient Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Maths (Primary), Science (Primary) Light, Maths - Measurement, Maths - Number Addition and subtraction, Fractions, Light, Maths, Measurement, Multiplication and division, Number, Number and place value, Primary, Science/by Jonathan

An ophthalmologist is a medical or osteopathic doctor who specialises in eye and vision care. Ophthalmologists differ from optometrists in what they can diagnose and treat as an ophthalmologist is licensed to practice medicine and surgery. An ophthalmologist diagnoses and treats all eye diseases and performs eye surgery. They also prescribe and fit eyeglasses and contact lenses to correct vision problems. Many ophthalmologists are also involved in scientific research on the causes and cures for eye diseases and vision disorders, or specialise in areas such as glaucoma, the retina or cornea, pediatrics or neurology.

Attributes: hard-working, organised, patient

Observatory Scientist

13 January, 2018/0 Comments/in communicative, observant, self-motivated Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Maths (Primary), Science (Primary) Light, Maths - Measurement Light, Maths, Measurement, Primary, Science/by Jonathan

Observatory scientists work at observatories. These are places, which have very big telescopes and use them to look at other stars, planets and galaxies. They understand what can be seen within the night sky or try to understand it and look at data from the night sky. They then explain these things from the night sky to groups of people that go to the observatory.

Attributes: observant, self-motivated, communicative

Useful links:

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Emily Rickman and a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Vanessa Emeka-Okafor who are both astrophysicists. It’s part of their resource A Scientist Just Like Me.

Physicist

13 January, 2018/0 Comments/in imaginative, open-minded, passionate Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 Maths (Primary), Science (Primary) Light, Maths - Algebra, Maths - Number Addition and subtraction, Algebra, Fractions, Light, Maths, Multiplication and division, Number, Number and place value, Primary, Science/by Jonathan

A physicist is a specialist in the science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions. Physicists can work in theoretical analysis, where they develop ideas using computer simulations and mathematical modelling techniques to make predictions and explain behaviours. They may also be involved in experimental research where they design experiments to test theories. There are many areas physicist may be involved in such as developing new medical instruments and treatments, exploring robotics and artificial intelligence or investigating new ways to generate power.

Attributes: passionate, open-minded, imaginative

Useful links:

The Primary Science Teaching Trust has a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Emily Rickman and a downloadable slideshow (PDF) about Vanessa Emeka-Okafor who are both astrophysicists. It’s part of their resource A Scientist Just Like Me.

Optical Engineer

13 January, 2018/0 Comments/in committed, hard-working, observant Primary, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, Year 5, Year 6 DT, Science (Primary) DT, Light DT, Light, Primary, Science/by Jonathan

An optical engineer researches and develops new technologies related to the science of light. They study the behaviour of light and see how it can be manipulated to enhance electronic systems and equipment. Optical engineers work in all areas of optics using different techniques to design lasers, build telescopes, create fibre optics communication systems or work with microscopes, computer chips or consumer electronics. This requires them to understand and apply the science of optics in substantial detail in order to know what is physically possible to achieve.

Attributes: observant, hard-working, committed

Science communicator

Meta researcher

Photochemist

Solar Scientist

Lighting Technician

Optometrist

Ophthalmologist

Observatory Scientist

Physicist

Optical Engineer

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