This week saw the first Cranleigh School STEM Evening, an event designed to inspire curiosity in our A Level scientists by giving them the chance to engage with lectures from both their peers and a guest speaker. The goal was to introduce our scientists to topics beyond the exam specification, from areas of interest to concepts they had never encountered before.
We began with three standout presentations from our Lower Sixth. Fen A opened the floor with a fascinating look at ‘Smart Tattoos,’ explaining how bio-integrated wearable sensors could soon turn human skin into a real-time medical interface. Ava S followed by exploring the neurobiology of melody, illustrating how music can physically rewire the brain to impact emotional regulation and cognitive performance. Finally, Seb S took us into the deep end of Quantum Biology, navigating the invisible world of quantum effects in biological processes, such as bird migration, with impressive clarity. All three speakers were superb, demonstrating a level of research and confidence that went well beyond the classroom.
Following the student talks, we were honoured to welcome our guest speaker, Dr. Patrick Fullick, who gave a refreshing reality check to our aspiring scientists. He argued that while AI is a powerful tool for crunching data, it fundamentally cannot ‘do’ science. To prove his point, he shared several examples of AI, despite improving, not understanding how science works. He made it clear to our students that asking the right questions and applying creative intuition is a uniquely human skill which should be encouraged. His core message was that as future scientists, our greatest strength lies in working together to uncover the truth, especially when faced with the conflicting interests of politicians or the noise of the media.
Dr. Fullick also spoke about how different real world science is compared to the version we see in school. In the classroom, experiments usually follow a neat, linear path toward a known answer. In the real world, science is messy and unpredictable, defined by constant failure, yet ultimately incredibly rewarding. It was a thought-provoking talk that encouraged students to embrace the uncertainty of the laboratory and rely on their own collaborative efforts to find the facts.
Huge congratulations go to Fen A, who was awarded both the prize for Best Presentation and the Cranleigh STEM Award. Fen’s delivery was poised and his ability to handle challenging questions from the audience was truly impressive.
Thank you to everyone who attended. It was a fantastic evening of high-level discussion and a wonderful reminder of the talent we have here at Cranleigh.
