Friesland School in Sandiacre recently had the privilege of hosting Sir Martyn Poliakoff, Professor at the University of Nottingham and the creative mind behind the popular YouTube channel @periodicvideosm, which boasts over 1.5 million subscribers and counting. Sir Martyn visited the school to speak to Year 7 and Sixth Form students, leaving a lasting impact on their scientific journey.
During his visit, Sir Martyn introduced himself and engaged the students in a thought-provoking discussion about the most important scientists of the last century. After considering various suggestions from the Year 7 students, he expressed that science teachers hold immense significance as they inspire countless scientists.
The students valued the opportunity to interact with Sir Martyn and ask him questions about his career and scientific perspectives. The range of questions spanned from his decision to become a Chemist, his thoughts on nuclear energy, to his observations on the evolving science industry throughout his lifetime.
The entire experience brought science to life for the students, as Sir Martyn shared fascinating stories, including an incident involving a highly poisonous bottle of liquid. As a token of his visit, Sir Martyn generously gifted Friesland School and its students a signed University of Nottingham periodic table, a cherished memento that will inspire and educate for years to come.
His visit was made possible through an invitation from Year 7 student Alice Vere. This year, the Key Stage 3 science classes were named after renowned scientists, with her class being named after Sir Martin Poliakoff, who coincidentally worked alongside her mother at the university.
The students were enthralled by the experience, as expressed by Freya Hind, a Year 7 student who said, "It was very interesting to hear from Sir Martyn Poliakoff this morning. I've learned things about the science industry I didn't know before." Nathan Haywoods, another Year 7 student, found it inspirational, stating, "Personally, I'm interested in becoming a scientist when I'm older, so I found it fascinating when he spoke about the possibility of new elements." Bethany Dean, a Year 12 student, was motivated by the talk, sharing, "I found the talk this morning very motivational. It's made me realise that there are many areas within the science industry, which means there's something for everyone."
Leonie Bilbie, Head of Science, expressed her gratitude, saying, "Sir Martyn Poliakoff has truly brought science to life for our students. Listening to his stories and understanding that science is not merely a collection of facts, but a process of questioning and problem-solving, was truly inspiring. I was particularly moved by his recognition of the significance of science teachers."