The University of The Third Age (U3A) with its motto "the teachers learn and the learners teach" is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full-time employment but keen to share their skills and life experiences. Wilmslow U3A has been a member of this national movement since 2011 and already has around 30 interest groups including art, bridge, languages and the more active pursuits of cycling, walks and bowls.
To add to this busy curriculum, there is now a science group which plans to have monthly meetings covering a wide range of popular science and technology topics.
Group leader Graham Beech, a retired publisher with a science background, says "Our lives all depend on advances in science and technology, so we really should try to understand what's going on – if only at a basic level."
The first meeting will take place in Wilmslow Library on Monday 23rd March, starting at 7.30pm. Megan Argo, an astronomer from Jodrell Bank, will give a talk on the subject of "When Galaxies Collide".
Megan is a freelance science communicator with years of experience of giving public lectures and contributing to school talks, podcasts and radio shows for audiences from primary age to undergraduate. No prior knowledge of astronomy is required!
After a summer break the group hopes to continue in the autumn with such diverse topics as medical genetics, energy storage, advances in cancer treatment, and a speaker from the Waters Corporation to tell people all about what goes on in that big building on the Altrincham Road! It is hoped that members of Wilmslow U3A will contribute talks based on their own lifetime experiences.
A small charge of £2.50 per person is payable at the door to cover tea/coffee and expenses such as room hire. Non-members may attend this first meeting but should join Wilmslow U3A for future talks.
More information can be requested from Graham Beech on 01625 402946 or by email to [email protected].
