Problem-Based Learning (PBL) workshops

© Cheltenham Ladies’ College

I offer PBL workshops to challenge your most able students, scholars, or Oxbridge candidates (and also works very well with an inquisitive group of GCSE students). The aim is not to test the group on what they have already learned in class, but to apply their background understanding and work-out solutions from first principles. This replicates the ‘thinking out loud’ solution-finding process of university entrance interviews. The workshop is a combination of working in small groups to brain storm for suggestions, and round-table discussions amongst the whole class to arrive at final solutions, all coordinated and prompted by me.

These PBL workshops work best with a group size of 15-20 students. No Powerpoint or computer display is required, but we would need a classroom where the students can work together in tables of 4 or 5, and then also turn around to see the front. We also need a white board or large flip chart that the whole class can see as we progress through the workshop. Each workshop is tuned to the year group and capabilities of the students, and can be timetabled for anything between 30 mins and one hour long.

I offer two PBL workshops, themed within different areas of cutting-edge science research, but equally applicable to non-scientists. (Indeed, I find that often it is the non science-specialist students who are less constrained by trying to remember what they have been taught, and instead work things out by thinking out of the box).

How to define life and detect it (Biology/Chemistry)
We all know life when we see it on Earth — a tiger is obviously alive whereas a skeleton or rock are not — but how could you actually define what life is? What features or functions must something possess in order to be alive? And therefore, how could you design an experiment that will test for life on another planet? In this workshop, we’ll explore how astrobiologists think about life in fundamental terms and so know what we’re looking for with our scientific instruments aboard space probes.

Exoplanets and how to find them (Physics)
We’ve now discovered over 5,000 extrasolar planets — worlds orbiting other suns in our galaxy. But on the whole we’ve never actually been able to see these exoplanets; we have to infer indirectly that they are there. So what tricks do astronomers use to discover incredibly remote planets? What information can we gather from our telescopes, and therefore what can we tell about what an exoplanet is actually like? How can we tell if certain worlds are Earth-like and so potentially able to harbour life? In this workshop, we’ll explore the science behind how you can discover and then characterise exoplanets.

ORIGINS: How the Earth Shaped Human History

When we talk about human history, we focus on great leaders, revolutions, and technological advances. But how has the Earth itself determined our destiny? How has our planet made us?

As a species we are shaped by our environment. Geological forces drove our evolution in East Africa; mountainous terrain led to the development of democracy in Greece; and today voting behaviour in the United States follows the bed of an ancient sea. The human story is the story of these forces, from plate tectonics and climate change, to atmospheric circulation and ocean currents.

By taking us through millennia of human history, and billions of years into our planet’s past, Professor Lewis Dartnell tells us the ultimate origin story. When we reach the point where history becomes science we see a vast web of connections that underwrites our modern world and helps us face the challenges of the future.

From the cultivation of the first crops to the founding of modern states, Origins reveals the Earth’s awesome impact on the shape of human civilizations.

 

This event is based on my book, ORIGINS, which is  a Sunday Times bestseller, on iNews’ 11 best popular science books for 2019, and a Mail on Sunday recommended science and nature book.

 

If you would like to book this talk please email

 

Visit the ORIGINS book main website: www.originsbook.com

 

‘Origins by Lewis Dartnell stands comparison with Yuval Noah Harari’s Sapiens… A thrilling piece of Big History’
— THE SUNDAY TIMES

‘Dartnell’s story is beautifully written and organized. His infectious curiosity and enthusiasm tug the reader from page to page, synthesizing geology, oceanography, meteorology, geography, palaeontology, archaeology and political history in a manner that recalls Jared Diamond’s classic 1997 book Guns, Germs, and Steel.’
— NATURE

“Dartnell’s approach is encyclopedic, marked by both a broad sweep and a passion for details.”
— WASHINGTON POST

‘Dartnell has found the perfect blend of science and history. This is a book that will not only challenge our preconceptions about the past, but should make us think very carefully about humanity’s future’
— MAIL ON SUNDAY

The Knowledge: How to Rebuild our World from Scratch

Maybe it was an asteroid impact, a nuclear war, or a viral pandemic. Whatever the cause, the world as we know it has ended and you and your community of survivors must start again. What key knowledge would you need to not only survive in the immediate post-apocalyptic aftermath, but avert another Dark Ages and accelerate the rebooting of civilisation from scratch? Living in the modern world, we have become disconnected from the basic processes that support our lives, as well as the beautiful fundamentals of science that enable you to relearn things for yourself. The Knowledge is a grand thought experiment on the behind-the-scenes fundamentals of how our world works, and what drove the progression of civilisation over the centuries.

This event is based on my book, The Knowledge, which is  a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller, and was also awarded The Times ‘New Thinking’ Book of the Year. The event showcases a lot of artefacts and objects I made from scratch during the research for the book, and also features lots of demos and short videos of the processes involved.

 

If you would like to book this talk please email

 

Visit the main website for The Knowledge book: www.the-knowledge.org

 

“A glorious compendium of the knowledge we have lost in the living; the origins of the material fabric of our actual lives. This is the most inspiring book I’ve read in a long time”
— The Independent

“An extraordinary achievement. With lucidity and brevity, Dartnell explains the rudiments of a civilisation. It is a great read even if civilisation does not collapse. If it does, it will be the sacred text of the new world — and Dartnell that world’s first great prophet.”
— The Times

“The Knowledge is a fascinating look at the basic principles of the most important technologies undergirding modern society. It is a fun read full of optimism about human ingenuity”
— The Wall Street Journal

“The Knowledge is a stimulating read, a grand thought experiment on re-engineering every building block of civilisation”
— The New York Post

“A terrifically engrossing history of science and technology”
— The Guardian

“The ultimate do-it-yourself guide to ‘rebooting’ human civilisation”
— Nature

ORIGINS

From Lewis Dartnell, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Knowledge, a book that takes us back through time to explore how the Earth itself has directed the human story.

When we talk about human history, we focus on great leaders, revolutions, and technological advances. But how has the Earth itself determined our destiny? How has our planet made us? 

As a species we are shaped by our environment. Geological forces drove our evolution in East Africa; mountainous terrain led to the development of democracy in Greece; and today voting behaviour in the United States follows the bed of an ancient sea. The human story is the story of these forces, from plate tectonics and climate change, to atmospheric circulation and ocean currents.

How are the Himalayas linked to the orbit of the Earth, and to the formation of the British Isles? By taking us billions of years into our planet’s past, Professor Lewis Dartnell tells us the ultimate origin story. When we reach the point where history becomes science we see a vast web of connections that underwrites our modern world and helps us face the challenges of the future.

From the cultivation of the first crops to the founding of modern states, Origins reveals the Earth’s awesome impact on the shape of human civilisations.

  • Sunday Times top History book
  • Waterstones ‘Best of 2019’ book
  • iNews 11 best popular science books for 2019
  • Mail on Sunday recommended Science and Nature book for summer reads
  • Book of the Week, The Times
  • Book of the Week, Evening Standard
  • Book of the Month, BBC Sky at Night magazine

OUT NOW in Paperback:

Hardback:

*** Come see me speak live about the book at one of the tour events ***

Beyond the UK and USA editions (as well as Braille available from the RNIB), ORIGINS is available in the following 25 translations (publisher):

Bulgaria (Iztok-Zapad) China [simplified] (Fantasee Media)
Croatia (Planetopija) Denmark (Klim)
France (JC Lattes) Germany (Hanser)
Greece (Patakis) Hungary (Akkord)
Iran (Persian) Italy (Il Saggiatore)
Japan (Kawade Shobo) Lithuania (Alma Littera)
Netherlands (Thomas Rap) Poland (Zysk)
Portugal (Planeta) Romania (Litera)
Russia (AST) Serbia (Laguna)
Slovakia (Premedia Group) Slovenia (UMco)
South Korea (Next Wave) Spain (Debate)
Sweden (Volante) Turkey (Can Yayinlari)
Ukraine (Nash Format)

 

“Origins is one of those rare books that dissolves mystery through the steady application of sublime lucidity… Dartnell understands geology, geography, anthropology, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy and history. That’s quite an achievement, but what makes him special is the way he communicates the interconnectedness of these disciplines in a clear, logical and entertaining way… Superb.”
THE TIMES, Book of the Week

“An excitingly grand argument driven by delight in detail. This thrilling look at how geography shaped us stands comparison with Harari’s ‘Sapiens'”
THE SUNDAY TIMES

“Dartnell’s story is beautifully written and organized. His infectious curiosity and enthusiasm tug the reader from page to page, synthesizing geology, oceanography, meteorology, geography, palaeontology, archaeology and political history in a manner that recalls Jared Diamond’s classic 1997 book Guns, Germs, and Steel.”
NATURE

“Dartnell has found the perfect blend of science and history. This is a book that will not only challenge our preconceptions about the past, but should make us think very carefully about humanity’s future”
Simon Griffiths, MAIL ON SUNDAY

“Dartnell is an eloquent, conversational guide to these daunting aeons of time. Never has geological history seemed so current.”
THE GUARDIAN

“Dartnell’s approach is encyclopedic, marked by both a broad sweep and a passion for details.”
WASHINGTON POST

An “absorbing account of the planetary processes that have shaped humanity… Stimulating, entertaining stuff. Dartnell has an easy, light touch that mixes well with his considerable knowledge of our planet’s geological history”
OBSERVER

“A sweeping, brilliant overview of the history of not only of our species but of the world. Whether discussing the formation of continents or the role that climate (and climate change) has had on human migration, Lewis Dartnell has a rare talent in being able to see the big picture – and explaining why it matters.”
Peter Frankopan, Author of The Silk Roads

“An original and timely way of looking at human history through the materials and natural resources that our species has employed to such effect. It should be read by everyone who ponders how long exploitation can continue on a finite planet”
Richard Fortey, author of The Earth: An Intimate History

“Endlessly enthralling, Lewis Dartnell explains why the history of humanity, and of human cultures, both take dictation from the deeper history of Earth herself – from broad generalities to surprisingly specific details. An entertaining and informative essay on contingency – and worthy successor to the writing of Stephen Jay Gould”
Ted Neild, author of Supercontinent

“What a treat to see history through the eyes of an astrobiologist! Lewis Dartnell’s absorbing new book shows, with many vivid examples, how deeply human history is embedded in the history of planet earth.”
David Christian, author of Big History

OUT NOW in Paperback:

Hardback:

Book tour events


Teachers’ educational resources

I have created a dedicated site containing educational resources for teachers based on the research and material within ORIGINS. Please explore www.teachers.originsbook.com

PhD: Spectroscopic biosignatures of microbial life on Mars

Mars-NASA
Mars (credit: NASA)

Astrobiology is the multidisciplinary field of science engaged in the search for life beyond Earth. Our planetary neighbour, Mars, shows extensive evidence for a habitable environment conducive to the origin and persistence of life early in the planet’s history. Mars has, however, since suffered an environmental collapse: the planet today is very cold and dry, and the lack of magnetic field or substantial atmosphere means the surface is bathed harmful ultraviolet and cosmic radiation. The question, therefore, is what evidence of past or present martian microorganisms might remain on or near the surface to be detectable by our future exploration rovers?

Hardy, ‘extremophile’ microbes surviving in environments on Earth that are similar to martian conditions, known as martian analogue sites, inform us about the survival limits of life and how best to search for trace signs of microbial colonists. This PhD project will work with samples from a range of such martian analogue sites around the world, as well as extremophiles cultured from them, and analyse their detectable biosignatures using a suite of spectroscopic techniques such as Raman spectroscopy, FTIR (Fourier-transform Infrared) spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Such spectroscopic instruments have the advantage of offering rapid, non-destructive analyses, revealing information on both the mineralogy and biosignatures within a sample, and so have been proposed or are confirmed for upcoming planetary exploration missions, including the European Space Agency’s ExoMars 2020 rover and NASA’s Mars2020 rover. Just as important as characterising what biosignatures we might anticipate to be present on the martian surface from extremophile microbes, is understanding how well these signs will persist in the harsh martian environment. Over what timeframe will detectable biosignatures be destroyed? Can we still recognise unambiguous signs of life even after they have been partially degraded? The second half of this PhD project will therefore study changes to the spectroscopic biosignatures with exposure experiments.

 

The student will take part in the University Graduate School and Faculty Doctoral Research Development Programme; in addition to these training programmes and the subject specific skills listed above, the student will gain important transferable skills (e.g. presentation skills, scientific writing and employability skills) to aid in future career progression.

 

 

Dartnell, L.R. et al. “Destruction of Raman Biosignatures by Ionising Radiation and the Implications for Life-Detection on Mars.” Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 403.1 (2012): 131–144.

Preston, L.J. et al. “Fourier Transform Infrared Spectral Detection of Life in Polar Subsurface Environments and Its Application to Mars Exploration.” Applied Spectroscopy 69.9 (2015): 1059–1065.

 

Funding Notes

A number of full-time Studentships are available, to candidates with Home fee status in the Faculty of Science and Technology starting in September 2017.
The Studentships on offer are:
• Full Studentship – £16,000 annual stipend and fee waiver
• Fee Studentship – Home fee waiver

 

Informal enquiries: lewis@lewisdartnell.com

https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=82671&LID=1706

Exoplanets classroom worksheet

This artist’s impression shows a view of the surface of the planet Proxima b orbiting the red dwarf star Proxima Centauri, the closest star to the Solar System. The double star Alpha Centauri AB also appears in the image to the upper-right of Proxima itself. Proxima b is a little more massive than the Earth and orbits in the habitable zone around Proxima Centauri, where the temperature is suitable for liquid water to exist on its surface.

This week saw the announcement of the discovery of Proxima b, an Earth-sized planet orbiting in the habitable zone of the closest star to the solar system. This is a really exciting discovery, and I thought it as good a reason as any to republish this school classroom worksheet I created on how we hunt for exoplanets.

This worksheet is suitable for A-level students (12th Grade in North America) or a good GCSE class (10th Grade in North America), and gets the students thinking about the methods used to indirectly detect exoplanets, and what information can be gleaned about the world from the telescope data.

These worksheets are intended to be used in conjunction with a teacher-lead discussion on the topics — a Problem-Based Learning exercise. Teachers Notes are also provided below.

Detecting and Characterising Exoplanets – Worksheet

Detecting and Characterising Exoplanets – Teachers’ Notes

Astrobiology Q&A

Here are just a few of the questions I’ve received from people interested in astrobiology and the search for life beyond the Earth. If you would like to know how to get involved in this sort of science, see How to become an astrobiologist.

[For my popular science book on astrobiology, Life in the Universe: A Beginner’s Guide click here.]
[For The Knowledge: How to Rebuild our World from Scratch click here]

 

Continue reading

Leicester podcasts

On the run-up to the BBC Stargazing Live event at the University of Leicester, I recorded two podcasts, discussing the latest discoveries within astrobiology, and what we might reasonably expect an alien to look like if we ever do encounter complex life. You can listen to these both on SoundCloud, below:

How to become an astrobiologist

 

The Knowledge[For my popular science book on astrobiology, Life in the Universe: A Beginner’s Guide click here.]
[For The Knowledge: How to Rebuild our World from Scratch click here]

 

[Watch my TED talk here]

 

I often get emailed by people wanting to know how they can get involved in astrobiology – what A-levels or university degree they should pick to become an astrobiologist, or just how they can find out more about what’s happening right now in the field. So I thought it would be useful to compile my various responses into a single post here.

The encouraging reality is that you can get into astrobiology from pretty much any scientific background you like. I did a first degree in biology, but I have astrobiology friends who have come from physics, astronomy, chemistry, or geology. Astrobiology is a very ‘interdisciplinary’ field and sits as the Venn diagram overlap in the middle of many different kinds of science, and this breadth and diversity is exactly what makes astrobiology so exciting.

Continue reading

The Knowledge: How to Rebuild our World from Scratch

The_Knowledge_bookMaybe an asteroid hit Earth. Perhaps a nuclear war reduced our cities to radioactive rubble. Or avian flu killed most of the population. Whatever the cause, the world as we know it has ended and now the survivors must start again. But how do we set about rebuilding our world from scratch?

Once you’ve salvaged what you can from the debris, how do you grow food and make clothes? How do you generate energy and develop medicines? And once you’ve mastered the essentials, how do you smelt metals, make gunpowder, or build a primitive radio set?

The Knowledge is a guidebook for survivors. We have become disconnected not only from the beautiful fundamentals of science and technology but even from the basic skills and knowledge on which our lives and our world depend.

The Knowledge is a journey of discovery, a book which explains everything you need to know about everything. Here is the blueprint for rebooting civilisation.

It will transform your understanding of the world – and help you prepare for when it’s no longer here.

The Knowledge is a New York Times and Sunday Times best-seller, and the Sunday Times ‘New Thinking’ Book of the Year.

Out now in paperback at all good book stores and online.
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Barnes&Noble

The Knowledge is also available in  Translations in a number of in different languages. Listen to a three minute audio description of the book here

Main book website

Astrobiology – The Hunt for Alien Life

Astrobiology is a brand new field of science, encompassing research into the origins and limits of life on our own planet, and where life might exist beyond the Earth. But what actually is ‘life’ and how did it emerge on our own world? What are the most extreme conditions terrestrial life can tolerate? And what would an alien actually look like – how realistic are the life-forms envisaged by science fiction novels and films over the years? Join Dr. Lewis Dartnell on a tour of the other planets and moons in our solar system which may harbour life, and even further afield to alien worlds orbiting distant stars, to explore one of the greatest questions ever asked: are we alone…?

If you would like to book this talk please email