Hey Gethin. A great way to improve your scientific knowledge is to read some popular science books about a subject that interests you. When I was at school, I read some neuroscience books by Susan Greenfield and that is what first got me interested in neuroscience specifically. Once you find something you are interested in, your science will improve because you will learn so much more if you are truly engaged with the topic!
If you want to do a science related university degree or job after school, then getting some kind of work experience is a fun way to learn more about a subject. I didn’t do this before going to university to study for my undergraduate degree, but as part of my degree programme I did a year in industry and this really helped me gain experience and understanding.
Does that answer your question? Let me know if you have any further questions you want to ask.
Hi Gethin, along the lines of what Luke has said, I would recommend trying out some books related to the area(s) you think you might be interested in, and if you are able to (but it’s not necessary) get some experience in some sort of scientific institute. The saying about always learning something new is definitely true, and although you can do things now to try and improve your science, do not worry at all because this is something that you are constantly learning as you go along. One thing I would say is that if you are really interested and passionate about a specific scientific topic or area, your drive and interest itself will provide the perfect platform to improve your science in general. I hope that helps to give you another perspective 🙂
Hi Luke, I’m glad you’re already interested in science and wondering about to improve your skills! As Luke and Shaline have said already, just try exploring what you find interesting at the moment a bit more, by reading books or maybe watching documentaries. I would recommend ‘Bad Science’, a book by Ben Goldacre which could help with some critical thinking skills with regards to science and is also quite funny too! I also just had a quick look and it seems like there are quite a few documentaries on the BBC iPlayer website at the moment which you might enjoy: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/categories/documentaries-science-and-nature/featured. I also wanted to say that if you are interested in seeing what it’s like to work in a laboratory and do a small project then the in2ScienceUK scheme could be useful too: https://in2scienceuk.org/students/. I hope that’s helpful – stay curious!
Hi Gethin
Great question!
Ask questions… carefully consider the evidence that people use to reach conclusions and make your own conclusions from the results. Stay curious!!!
Work in an area of science that you like
Comments
Shaline commented on :
Hi Gethin, along the lines of what Luke has said, I would recommend trying out some books related to the area(s) you think you might be interested in, and if you are able to (but it’s not necessary) get some experience in some sort of scientific institute. The saying about always learning something new is definitely true, and although you can do things now to try and improve your science, do not worry at all because this is something that you are constantly learning as you go along. One thing I would say is that if you are really interested and passionate about a specific scientific topic or area, your drive and interest itself will provide the perfect platform to improve your science in general. I hope that helps to give you another perspective 🙂
Ed commented on :
Hi Luke, I’m glad you’re already interested in science and wondering about to improve your skills! As Luke and Shaline have said already, just try exploring what you find interesting at the moment a bit more, by reading books or maybe watching documentaries. I would recommend ‘Bad Science’, a book by Ben Goldacre which could help with some critical thinking skills with regards to science and is also quite funny too! I also just had a quick look and it seems like there are quite a few documentaries on the BBC iPlayer website at the moment which you might enjoy: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/categories/documentaries-science-and-nature/featured. I also wanted to say that if you are interested in seeing what it’s like to work in a laboratory and do a small project then the in2ScienceUK scheme could be useful too: https://in2scienceuk.org/students/. I hope that’s helpful – stay curious!
Donna commented on :
Hi Gethin
Great question!
Ask questions… carefully consider the evidence that people use to reach conclusions and make your own conclusions from the results. Stay curious!!!
Work in an area of science that you like