• Question: Do you have any advice for young people interested in science today?

    Asked by holywomen03 to Hummy, Lewis, James, Sandra on 6 Mar 2017. This question was also asked by Lili033.
    • Photo: Sandra Greive

      Sandra Greive answered on 6 Mar 2017:

      Ask questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question. Then look up the answers from a reputable source, text books, science magazines etc. Learn from mistakes or failed experiments. A lot of what we do is trial and error, testing out what works and what doesn’t. Keep good records, that way you can go back see what didn’t work and not try the exact same thing again.

      Being a scientist is a way of thinking and processing information. Its a way of figuring out how things work by watching, making observations and then making specific changes to see what happens. By looking for all the different ways something could happen, not just the most obvious, and then logically working through all the answers to find the most likely. Then designing experiments to test this.

      Most importantly, Be curious!

    • Photo: anon

      anon answered on 7 Mar 2017:

      Science isn’t a subject, if you’re interested in it you’re in luck! Science trains you to understand anything and everything to its core which means you are never half learned about anything.

      Science will train you to think logically, which otherwise can be easily ignored and underestimated skill.

      Science will make you observant. You’ll observe something, get an idea, ask yourself question/s (formulate a hypothesis), try to answer your question (by applying your hypothesis) and finally you’ll have a theory. This entire process is a great confidence booster.

      You’ll learn everyday with science, you’ll always be a better version of yourself when surrounded with science. It keeps you motivated to bring your ideas to the real world. Nothing is crazy in science.

      Science has no limits, no boundaries and that’s what you want. To be able to grow yourself until you’ve achieved all that you have ever wanted!

      Don’t give up. You’ll always be contributing regardless of what it is that you’re doing in science.

    • Photo: Lewis Wright

      Lewis Wright answered on 7 Mar 2017:

      Sandra and Dakshat have both given very good answers, not much more I can add, except that if you’re not amazing at exams but still want to go into science, don’t be put off. Written exams aren’t a good reflection of how good you are at research. I think the most important thing for research is enthusiasm!

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