Often times, University life can seem a little droll in an endless circle of note taking, binge studying and learning irrelevant facts for the sake of passing an exam, so much so that the passion for learning may get a little trampled along the line. In fact, when the stress levels start piling high, it gets a little daunting not to let a growing apathy for the education system take over. However, Share !T, a semi-regular event held and organised by S-cubed, is a wonderful initiative that works in quite the opposite direction of an apathetic sentiment.
With the tagline, “Where Ideas Meet Ideas”, the idea behind the Share !T sessions are incredibly straight forward. Students from any faculty of the University are given the opportunistic platform to speak about anything they are passionate about in a scientific manner. Whatever excites them, whatever captures their imaginations, Share !T is an active encouragement to get students talking about what they love and an opportunity to create meaningful and diverse dialogue.
The most recent session took place on the 18th of March in the Biology Department, where on this occasion, two students stepped up to the plate to share the parts of science that appeal to them the most and brush up on those public speaking skills. Jean Paul Formosa, a third year BSC student gave his lecture, “Turbochargers: The Fundamental applications of boost in Modern Car Engines”, while Victoria Melita Zammit, a second year B.A. student, resented her topic, “Mars, Venus and maybe Pluto too.”
Mr Formosa gave a brief introduction to the internal combustion engine and the invention of the turbocharger, and its recent, rising popularity in civilian cars, as well as detailing the various modifications in design and efficiency of the engine, and how the innovation in the field of racing cars holds benefits for everyday cars as well. Ms Zammit, leaning more towards the social sciences, gave a presentation on the Biopsychosocial theories and realities behind gender. Speaking about the non-exclusivity of the gender binary, Ms Zammit explained biological, psychological, and sociological theories on why more than two genders exist, while also detailing the rundown about gender expression, gender identity, as well as the absence of gender.
Share !T is a wonderful burgeoning tradition that should be lucky enough as to have many years of life yet ahead of it thanks to S-cubed, and I definitely recommend keeping an eye out for anything the science students organization pulls out of it’s sleeve.