Science and Industry Museum reveals the best science photos of the year
Manchester Science Festival has officially launched today - kicking off 10 days of scientific celebration by revealing the winners of the country's prestigious science photography competition.
The Science and Industry Museum devoted to the development of science, technology and industry with emphasis on the city’s achievements
Manchester Science Festival has officially launched today – kicking off10 days of scientific celebration by revealing the winners of their prestigious science photography competition.
Held in partnership with the Royal Photographic Society, the festival’s digital exhibition puts the winners of the Science Photographer of the Year on display for all to see; showcasing 75 shortlisted and stand-out photographs.
The Science Photographer of the Year competition is described as ‘celebrating the remarkable stories behind scientific exploration, depicting its impact on our everyday lives and illustrating how photography helps record and explain global issues and scientific events.’
Orthophoto of the SS Thistlegorm by Simon BrownRainbow shadow selfie by Katy Appleton
Selected images were chosen from over 1,000 entries submitted by amateur and professional photographers – judged by an expert panel starring people from the Science and Industry Museum and Science Museum Group.
British photographer Simon Brown has been named Science Photographer of the Year in the ‘General Science’ category for his photo, ‘Orthophoto of SS Thistlegorm’ (above) – which is described as ‘an intricate reconstruction of a shipwreck using photogrammetry’.
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The Young Science Photographer of the Year has been awarded to 12-year-old Katy Appleton for her image, ‘Rainbow Shadow Selfie’ (above) that captures the beauty of a common phenomena of light splitting through a prism.
A Climate Change category was also introduced this year; reflecting the theme of the 2021 Manchester Science Festival.
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Sue Flood’s incredible ‘North Pole Under Water’image (below) won this award.
The Under 18’s Young Science Photographer of the Year trophy went to 11-year-old Raymond Zhang for his image ‘Apollo’s Emissary’ (below) – which shows one of the largest solar power stations in western China.
North Pole under water by Sue Flood FRPSApollo’s Emissary by Raymond Zhang
Dr Michael Pritchard, Director, Education and Public Affairs at the RPS, said: “This year’s Science Photographer of the Year is more relevant than ever before in documenting how science and climate change are impacting all our lives.
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“The selected images are striking and will make us think more about the world around us.”
Manchester Science Festival is the biggest of its kind and has remained a huge event in the city’s cultural calendar since 2007.
This year’s virtual edition offers viewers the chance to take part in a wide range of talks and exhibitions – many of which are available for free.
Alongside the Royal Photographic Society’s exhibition, highlights of the 2021 festival include:
Changing the System: An ‘in conversation’ event where renowned musician and climate campaigner, Brian Eno, joins ClientEarth founder, James Thornton, to discuss how to use the power of law to combat climate change, protect the environment and build a future in which people and the planet thrive together.
Earth, But Not As We Know It: An expert panel responding to specially-recorded provocations from Dr James Lovelock, the 101-year-old scientist who studied at The University of Manchester and created the influential yet controversial Gaia Hypothesis.
‘How Can I Be A Good Citizen of the World?: A three-part series where Manchester physicist Helen Czerski asks the question in relation to transport, equality and food.
A discussion about eco anxietywith the festival’s Young People Panel chaired by Niall Henry, founder of The Blair Project, a disruptive social enterprise that exists to inspire the next generation of green tech workforce.
Sally MacDonald, Director of the Science and Industry Museum, said: “It is fantastic that Manchester Science Festival has launched to the public, so that everyone can enjoy the exciting programme of online events and exhibitions. In these difficult days, we’re delighted to be able to bring the joy of our museum into people’s homes.
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“The programme is a positive one – looking at ways we can all take action and contribute to solutions around climate change, connecting communities, scientists and activists with the aim of advancing ideas for a better world.
“I am delighted that our partnership with the Royal Photographic Society is leading the festival’s digital line-up. Visual arts are so important in furthering our understanding of the world around us, and this exhibition really shines a spotlight on the effects that both science and climate have on our lives.”
The museum is hoping to host a number of socially-distanced, in-person activities later in the year – including UK premieres and a dedicated special event programme for families.
Further events are also being planned for June and November, coinciding with the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.
To explore the full Manchester Science Festival line-up and book free tickets, visit the official website.
News
The Boots recycling scheme where you can get £5 off every shop
Thomas Melia
UK high street retailer and healthcare shop Boots has launched an innovative recycling scheme that entitles customers to £5 off their future shopping trips.
If you’re still struggling to come up with a New Year’s resolution, why not try a spot of recycling and earn some money off your next cosmetics shop while you’re at it?
Started in 2020, the Boots Recycling Scheme allows Advantage Card holders the opportunity to get money while also being more conscious about how we recycle our used health and beauty products.
Their third-party app, Recycle at Boots, uses a ‘Scan2Recycle‘ system where users can upload items from various beauty brands by taking a picture of the empty packaging before identifying its form.
This scheme takes items that can’t usually be recycled at home, such as lotion pumps, toothpaste tubes, lipstick, mascaras, travel minis, make-up palettes and more.
Once you have five items approved, head over to your nearest participating Boots store, drop off your empties and scan the QR code on the deposit box.
After you’ve followed all these steps, a voucher will appear entitling you to 500 Advantage Points when you spend £10 in-store at your nearest location, and not only do you have £5 worth of points with your name on it, you’re also an eco-warrior.
There’s even a dedicated section of the app to recycling empty medicine and vitamin blister packs, which gives customers 100 Advantage Points when they spend £5 in-store.
Brilliant.
Credit: Publicity pictures (supplied)
Items dropped into these deposit boxes are taken to MyGroup, a recycling and waste management service which works around the clock to help divert waste from landfill.
These empties will be washed and traditionally recycled into a material called MyBoard, a construction board material most similar to plywood, with lots of different uses.
Nearest Boots locations in Manchester running the Recycle at Boots scheme:
Manchester Market Street – 32 Market Street, M1 1PL
Salford Regent Park – Regents Park, M5 3TP
Manchester Didsbury – 736-740 Wilmslow Road, M20 2DW
The Trafford Centre – 10 Peel Avenue, M17 8BD
Trafford Retail Park – Neary Way, M41 7FN
If you’re up for getting money off your next Boots splurge while also helping recycle cosmetics containers and more, you can download the Recycle at Boots app and find your nearest HERE.
Manchester United issue statement after Bruno Fernandes’ social media is hacked
Danny Jones
Manchester United were forced to issue an official statement following Bruno Fernandes’ social media being hacked.
The Man United star’s digital profile was hijacked in the wake of the defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion this weekend, which saw the Red Devils knocked out of the FA Cup and, it’s fair to say, quite the flurry of activity online.
As if to add insult to injury, with United‘s exit from the competition, a user then commandeered the club captain’s presence to share several fake posts.
With the official Bruno Fernandes X account being targeted following the game, the club had no choice but to respond after several controversial and/or inappropriate posts, not to mention multiple instances of general anti-ownership sentiment.
In case you didn’t see any of the since-deleted posts, besides one understandably troublesome comment which read, “let’s get rid of INEOS“, others were even more provocative/inflammatory.
The comments ranged from everything between messages @ing darts player and United fan Luke Littler to influencers like KSI and Jake Paul.
Offensive language was also present in many of them.
As for the Portuguese midfielder, he also quickly clarified that he obviously had no involvement in the activity; meanwhile, despite plenty of players coming out to apologise for the defeat on Sunday night, the skipper is yet to address the disappointment directly.
The loss to Brighton confirmed that Manchester United will be playing just 40 games for the rest of the campaign – the fewest since the 1914/15 season (i.e. at the outset of the First World War) – which serves as yet another unwanted record for the club of late.
You can see the highlights for the game down below.
It is also likely to have been caretaker manager Darren Fletcher’s final game in charge of the Reds, with an interim replacement set to be appointed imminently following Ruben Amorim’s shock sacking earlier this month.
His predecessor, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, also looked like the frontrunner at one point – and could still be involved in a backroom setup – but The Athletic now has it that Carrick could be is odds-on favourite to be announced before the Manchester derby.
Nevertheless, plenty of supporters still feel the problems remain deeply rooted throughout the club and that a change of personnel among the coaching staff still may not be enough…
The Manc -
11th February 2021 
