HKU iMonth – Thematic Week of Science (October 19-23, 2020)
- Date & Time
- October 19-23, 2020
- Venue
- on ZOOM
Call for Science-lovers to join our thematic week from October 19 to October 23! Get a taste of pursuing science with our academics and explore the limitless boundaries of science virtually – HKU Science is more than a platform for knowledge acquisition, we create knowledge.
- Science talks
- Demonstrations
- Tours
Programme Schedule (October 19-23, 2020)
| October 19, 2020 (Monday) | ||
| Science Talk "Interesting Things about Interest Rates" | ||
| Time | : | 4:30pm |
| Speaker | : | Dr David LEE, Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science |
| Abstract | : | This talk will introduce some basic concepts and characteristics about the operation of interest rates. The speaker will also briefly look into the relationships between interest rates and other economic variables. |
| Video Link | : | https://youtu.be/o20tK9SXYYI |
| Talk and Demonstration "Understanding COVID-19 and SARS-CoV-2" by School of Biomedical Sciences | ||
| Video Link of the Talk | : | https://bit.ly/3dnHlJM |
| Video Link of Supplementary Demonstration | : | https://youtu.be/meH5P43K-FA |
| October 20, 2020 (Tuesday) | ||
| Science Talk "Go with the Electron Flow" | ||
| Time | : | 4:30pm |
| Speaker | : | Dr Edmund TSE, Department of Chemistry |
| Abstract | : | Flow is all around us, ranging from intangible information flow to tangible water flow. Through careful inspection, one will be intrigued to find that electron flow serves as the backbone to support life processes and enable a sustainable society. In this talk, the speaker will share with the audience some thoughts on and experience in dealing with electron flows found in biological contexts and artificial settings, including but not limited to biofilms, DNA, proteins, sensors, energy catalysis systems, and electrochemical devices. Join us and enjoy an electrifying Science Talk! |
| Video Link | : | https://youtu.be/Vii-c9o58dg |
| Virtual Tour "Virtual Tour to The Biological Sciences Museum" by School of Biological Sciences | ||
| Video Link | : | https://youtu.be/z3be8ii5RyM |
| October 21, 2020 (Wednesday) | ||
| Science Talk "Statistics in Mahjong" | ||
| Time | : | 4:30pm |
| Speaker | : | Dr Jeff WONG, Department of Statistics & Actuarial Science |
| Abstract | : | Mahjong has long been a popular board game among Asian culture. Different people have developed their own strategies in terms of winning the game based on experience. This talk will explore how statistical tools could be useful for a more subjective analysis. |
| Video Link | : | https://youtu.be/dfbYYVmIzu4 |
| Science Talk "Can you hear me? Noise pollution impacts on wildlife and people" | ||
| Time | : | 4:40pm |
| Speaker | : | Dr Caroline DINGLE, School of Biological Sciences |
| Abstract | : | Urban areas are growing rapidly around the world - with Asia being home to some of the biggest, brightest and noisiest cities in the world. Noise from human activities, such as traffic or construction noise, impacts the ability of animals and humans to communicate and thrive in urban areas. In this talk, the speaker will explore the many impacts of noise pollution, discuss ways in which animals and people try to adapt to noise, and explore solutions to reduce the negative impacts of urban noise. |
| Via Zoom | : | https://hku.zoom.us/j/93395313057?pwd=WCs1M1N2bXk1WXNyRlhEOC92MzNtUT09 |
| Demonstration "Developing Chicken Embryo" by School of Biomedical Sciences | ||
| Video Link | : | https://youtu.be/lDOJtKlXM9Y |
| October 22, 2020 (Thursday) | ||
| Science Talk "AI and Mathematics" | ||
| Time | : | 4:15pm |
| Speaker | : | Dr Zhiwen ZHANG, Department of Mathematics |
| Abstract | : | In this talk, the speaker will briefly introduce the development of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the applications of AI in science and technology. Then, how mathematics theories and algorithms are used in AI will further be explained. Even if you have less mathematics or programming knowledge you can learn how does the deep learning work. The presentation aims to motivate secondary school students appreciate mathematics and increase their interests in learning mathematics. |
| Video Link | : | https://youtu.be/olnqaRBHaZI |
| Virtual Tour "Journey to Environmental Science (ENVS)" by Department of Earth Sciences | ||
| Video Link | : | https://youtu.be/vdo3LPdOfA4 |
| October 23, 2020 (Friday) | ||
| Science Talk "Studying Geology and Earth System Science at HKU" | ||
| Time | : | 4:45pm |
| Speaker | : | Dr Jessica KING & Dr Yiliang LI , Department of Earth Sciences |
| Abstract | : | In this talk, Dr Jessica KING and Dr Yiliang LI will introduce our Majors in Geology, Geology (Intensive) and Earth System Science and what it is like to study these fascinating subjects. |
| Video Links | : | https://youtu.be/JQpttXUiwR0 (Earth System Science) https://youtu.be/lq2TtsrDm6Y (Geology) |
| Science Talk "Giant Black Holes Devouring Stars: Extreme Cosmic Events Illuminating Black Hole Spacetimes" | ||
| Time | : | 4:30pm |
| Speaker | : | Dr Jane DAI, Department of Physics |
| Abstract | : | In the center of every big galaxy, there is an enormous black hole with billions of stars orbiting around it. Astrophysicists want to study how these black holes grow together with galaxies throughout cosmic history and how they affect the surrounding spacetime. However, this is a hard task, since these black holes are usually dark and faraway. Recently, a lot of progress has been made in studying how such massive black holes can tear apart stars wandering too close. Such phenomena, called tidal disruption events, can produce very bright flares which temporarily illuminate the black holes. In this talk, Dr DAI will show how massive black holes destroy and eat stars, why general relativity is important in the whole process, and how the properties of massive black holes can be probed through such events. She will also discuss how the frontier of this research topic has been pushed forward by using modern telescopes and large-scale computer simulations. |
| Video Links | : | https://youtu.be/gNuwGJUbleQ |
| Demonstration "Viewing of Green Fluorescence Protein (GFP) Mouse" by School of Biomedical Sciences | ||
| Video Link | : | https://youtu.be/iIDCsYT3HsY |
