Did
You know…?
...It was Park View Academy, London, England, the date was 21st March 2015 and the time 5pm...What
a turn out and what an event..!
 |
| Leeroy Brown - Inventor of the combination Car Jack Pump and winner of BBC 1's Best Inventor series, speaking to inventor Trevor Baylis. |
Some
times as a facilitator of events, one is often too busy to appreciate
the magic that happens when things begin to gel! This aptly describes
the situation at the aforementioned event!
Well, all set to GO! After final prep and checks, doors opened and guests, audience, participants ushered in and seated with programme and questionnaires sheets in hand. Good to see quite a number of children and differing ages. Always a good sign of things to come. Guest speaker here and present, presenters at the ready Michael, Cindy and Manyonyi,. Not sure of audience expectations except you feel their eyes saying - Amaze Me!!, Dazzle Me!! As more and more people arrive, the smiles on our faces lengthen, adrenalin is pumping; - a few familiar faces but mostly fresh eager new faces looking back at us - deffo good sign!! Anticipation hanging in the air -!!
Lights-camera-Action!!
Oops! sorry, wrong set-up!
This
was the scene at the science event at Park View School, on the 21st
March 2015, sponsored by the Power of Definition and BIS
Publications, for the culmination of the UK National Science Week
2015 - from 13th
to 21st
March 2015.
A
very successful event, well attended by people from all over London
and some from outside London as well. Including children and the
younger adults - future scientists? Why not??
On
with the evenings programme- Welcomes and introductions done plus
apologies for any delays proffered; running order for the evening
presented; quiz explained and running all through the event and so
special attention of presentation needed in order to respond to quiz.
That
out of the way, the evening started with the introduction by Manyonyi (author of Becoming..! and
co-author to book 5)
of Michael Williams - CEO BIS Publications, who went ahead to speak
about the event and what S.T.E.M. stands for (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Maths). He also introduced new titles published by
BIS Publications, including the new book 5 of the - Black Inventors
and Scientist series, sub-titled ‘millenniums
of inventions and innovations' - leading
very well into the video clips of some of the featured scientists.
 |
| Naomie Harris proudly displays her copy of Natasha John-Baptiste's new book. |
But
before getting into the scientists, BIS Publications launched a new
children book- Mosi Meets John Lee
Love - the Broken Pencil by
author Natasha John-Baptiste.
As the author couldn't make it, the presentation was done on her
behalf; by both BIS and P.O.D representatives Cindy, Michael &
Manyonyi. They read part of the book,talked about the publishing of
the series and about the author. It was very well received all round.
BIS
& Black Scientists & Inventors then presented two video
pieces. The first was that of:
Jon
Chase - Astro-biologist, Street
Scientist and Hip Hop artist. Jon who features in the BlackScientists & Inventors in the UK (book 5) was invited to the Did
You Know, but the invited was a tad too late. Being a BBC Street
Scientists and being based in Wales Jon just could not not make it as he had several events he had to attend .
He sent his apologies, but he also sent us a special exclusive presentation
which he had filmed just for us.
 |
| Street Scientists Jon Chase, dropping science. |
Jon
using the art form of rap though Hip Hops 5th element
knowledge conveyed to both young and old what the difference is
between Biology and Astro-Biology. Let's remember, music has a way of
communicating complicated facts and making it so understandable that
both children and lay persons can understand. Rap from Hip Hop
culture is arguably the best music form for doing this. Jon went on
to show us how science can be fun and how easy it is to experiment
and learn by using simple household ingredients. The area of science
he explained though practical demonstrations was showing us the
difference between an Alkaline, Acid, Base and their Indicators. The
children and I must say adults also, loved it!
The
second video was from a documentary piece which BIS have been making
for the last few years. The piece that was taken out and presented
was that of Terry Jervis ,
entrepreneur and producer at BBC. Terry who also features in the
Black Scientists & Inventors in the UK (book 5), talked about how
important books and reading is, he said it was books that made him
the person that he is today and in particular when he read about
great Black Scientists & Inventors it helped develop his
imagination and inspire him to followed his dreams, he shared of his
journey on how to attain your goals through determination, focus and
self belief. This was an eye opener and went down well as this was
the running theme for the evening.
 |
| Biologist & entrepreneur Ryan Grant tells us to believe in OURSELVES! |
Following
a short intermission/break, programme was resumed and in came the
surprise, an up and coming new scientist just completing his
doctorate and with a bright future in science and it's implications.
Following the theme of the evening, Ryan
Grant fashion entrepreneur, 1st
class Hons Science grad and PhD student went on to give a talk about
how he got involved with and what his aims are, after qualifying in
his field of genetics. He finished with wonderful and powerful
inspiring words to all gathered, about choosing a career in science
and encouraged parents to support their young if and when interest
was seen. The word for the day - Multifaceted-ness
- to be able to do anything that you put your mind to and do it to
the best of your ability and with belief and self - determination!
Absolutely brilliant presentation!
Yes
the gelling was in progress! When all seems lost that's when the real
winner shows up with focus, concentration and self belief -
(if you want it bad enough!). Ryan's presentation was so uplifting
that a voice was heard among the audience saying that they were going
to be a scientist! what a result!
After
Ryan, there was a short Q & A session where the audience had the
chance to ask any questions they wanted of the presenters and
presentations so far and boy were the questions rolling!
Manyonyi
then came on and re-stated the theme and that we live and breathe
science; in everything we do and in fact we are all scientists - our
bodies, our cooking, our travel our every day living etc. can all be
explained through science. This seemed to hit a chord with the
audience and an air of enthusiasm was felt all round the room.
In
order to give maximum time available to the main speaker for the
evening, the Q&A was shortened and the rest of the time devoted
solely to our special guest scientist, serial inventor, featured in
the Black Scientists & Inventors in the UK (book 5) and winner of
BBC1's Best Inventors series, all the way from Birmingham, Mr.
Leeroy Brown (the badest brother in town...you know the song). This was what everyone had
been waiting for all evening. Leeroy's invention - The Car Jack and
Air Pump.
The
audience weren't disappointed and was well worth the wait!! Leeroy
fielded questions from personal and business levels and his continued
product development and fine tuning. Humble beginnings and not being
too focused in school to then discover his potential at technical
college and onto trying to make life easier for all of us. He saw a
need and then went on to address it by offering a solution.
A
brilliant man and exemplary to us all that would want to engage in
any type of venture - scientific or otherwise - tenacity,
determination, re-inventing oneself as well to meet demands exerted
due to market constraints or technological advancement. This was the
ultimate presentation and Leeroy had brought with him some of the
proto-types of his inventions and still improving! This blew the room
up and the questions were continuous- relentless and Leeroy dealt
with each and everyone, young and older, cordially and humbly no airs
or graces even though he was famous and quite respected around the
world.
After
Leeroy's presentation and Q&A there were more young people that
showed interest in becoming scientists and the parents were quite
proud to hear and see this change in their offspring. Job done!
This
event was meant to inspire and motivate our future scientists,
technologist, engineers and mathematicians on all counts and from the
response seen, we as facilitators feel, without a shadow of doubt,
that this was achieved.
Roll
on next year and we know for sure that there will be new faces and
names of new scientists to present to a new audience. Our hope is
that sitting amongst us on this day is one of those that will be
representing next year. Thank you to all that attended and
contributed, helping to make this a most momentous occasion.
Keep
asking the questions but more importantly try and be the one
answering them.
Watch
this space because we are watching you!!
Event Sponsored by: The Power of Definition Arts (POD), Black Scientists & Inventors.com, BIS Publications and British Science Association
Written by
Manyonyi Amalemba,
Edited by
Michael Williams.
April 2015.
