Westminster-Kingsway College

Westminster Kingsway science students explored a new field of astrobiology for Science Week, including a master class on possible life on other planets.

All science students started the week with the master class, given by Dr. Lewis Dartnell, a leading research scientist at University College London and an author on astrobiology. Dr Dartnell based the master class on planets and moons in the solar system and how realistic is the idea of life forms existing outside Earth.

Astrobiology is relevant to all science disciplines, so students spent Science Week researching the different aspects of inter-planetary life systems relating to the science subject that they study in class. They exhibited their work and reserach for other students to learn from in the new King’s Cross Centre.

Sean Roche, Westminster Kingsway Biology lecturer, said: "Astrobiology is an interesting topic that encompasses all the sciences. The lecture and the whole week has been a success and we have had positive feedback from the students as it allowed students from different classes to discuss together."

Nuray Taskin (pictured left), second year Applied Science student, said: "I really enjoyed Science Week, especial the focus on Astrobiology. Dr. Lewis Dartnell’s talk made the possibility of alien life quite real. He made his knowledge accessible to us and I was hooked. I have enjoyed studying Applied Science at WKC and when I finish this year I would like to study biomedical sciences at university."