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New science

Lucky learner lands in London

By Suwitcha Chaiyong

• Did you know •

The London International Youth Science Forum was founded in 1959.

Science can be a complicated subject to understand. To help students learn intricate science in simple terms, the British Council created a project called the Young Thai Science Ambassador Award.

Engineering student Naveen Pitipornvivat (New), 20, was one of two lucky Thai winners selectedto take part in the two-week long London International Youth Science Forum in England.

"I didn't expect win and I was speechless when my name was called out!" New said. "I was just there for the experience and to make friends with people who are interested in science."

PUBLIC PRESENTATION

To be in the running for the programme, New was among 40 students who took part in four days of experiments and other science-related activities at the National Science Museum. The students were also trained in public speaking and presentation.

"The public speaking lessons were really useful," New said. "We were trained to talk naturally and to keep the audience interested. I can use those skills in the classroom, too."

WINNING WORDS

Each participant had to give a five minute presentation on a scientific topic. New spoke about reducing global warming by stopping carbon dioxide leakage from empty oil wells. The young student used his new public presentation skills to win first prize.

"I think the judges liked my style because it was different from the other participants," he said. "I thought about the way that politicians give speeches, so I sounded quite natural."

FRIENDLY FORUM

At the science forum in London,New met friendly students from 60 different countries.

"I was worried that it would be hard to make new friends in London, but everybody was really friendly and helpful," New said. "The English students even took us sightseeing around the city."

COOL CHEMISTRY

At the forum, New attended lectures given by international scientists. Despite the complex subject matter, New never got bored during the lectures.

"The lectures were never tedious, even though I sometimes had trouble understanding the English language," he said. "There were always intriguing experiments conducted during lectures, like seeing the chemical reactions in fluorescent material."

LONDON LABS

New also had a great opportunity to visit science laboratories in London during the trip.

"It was awesome, because the UK government invests a lot of money in science labs for conducting research in many different fields, he said. "At Oxford University, there's an entire building devoted to large, high-tech research equipment."

LEARNING EXPERIENCE

New feels that participating in the London forum was a life-changing experience.

"I now have the courage to ask questions and to express my opinion in the classroom," he said. "I've also been able to pass on some of my knowledge at university science camps for junior students."

	intricate (adj): having a lot of different parts and small details that fit together forum (n): a place where people can exchange opinions and ideas on a particular issue; a meeting organised for this purpose speechless (adj): not able to speak, especially because you are extremely angry or surprised leakage (n): an amount of liquid or gas escaping through a hole in something oil well (n): a hole made in the ground to obtain oil tedious (adj): lasting or taking too long and not interesting intriguing (adj): very interesting because of being unusual or not having an obvious answer conduct (v): to organise or do a particular activity fluorescent (adj): producing bright light by using some forms of radiation field (n): a particular subject or activity that somebody works in or is interested in high-tech (adj): using the most modern methods and machines, especially electronic ones

Idiom
in the running: to have some chance of succeeding or achieving something