RSC Blog

After some hilarious, some forthright, some insightful, and some ridiculous suggestions, we’ve picked a winner of our Scottish science competition. Full details can be found here, but the aim was to tweet or text us a solid reason why Scotland has produced so many eminent scientists. Thanks to all for the many entries we received.

A few of the favourites:

“It’s the water. The abundance of rain keeps people in and the best drinking water in the world keeps their minds refreshed and alert.” (via text).

“Scotland produces eminent scientists because claymores tend to discourage competition.” (via Twitter, @agoldson)

“Most came from working class. Learning was a commitment. Dedication & survival meant succeeding in ur chosen field.” (via text)

Praising the stoicism, intelligence or dedication of the Scottish people was a common theme. Also there were frequent references to the inclement weather – a heartfelt response from many Scots entering the competition.

So it’s only fitting that the winning entry is from a Scottish chemist, who had this to say:

“The weather keeps them in the lab during the day, whilst the whisky provides the inspiration at night.”

A poetic, succinct and quite possibly accurate submission from @littleghoti, who will soon be the proud owner of a black iPhone 3GS on O₂ Pay & Go.

O₂ is of course a chemist’s favourite mobile operator. Except maybe methyl Orange.

The 42nd IUPAC Congress got off to a great start yesterday, with the opening ceremony and civic reception going down extremely well. Opening remarks from the IUPAC Secretary General Chris Black, IUPAC President Jung-Il Jin, Royal Society of Chemistry President Dave Garner, Chair of the 42nd IUPAC Congress Paul O’Brien and  were well received. The Clyde Auditorium looked stunning, by the way:

42nd IUPAC Congress Opening Ceremony, The Clyde Auditorium, SECC

Awards were made, by President Jin, to the winners of the IUPAC Prizes for Young Chemists from 2008 and 2009. Congratulations to Emilie Banide, Christopher Thomas Rodgers, Akinori Saeki, Andrea Rae Tao and Scott Warren (2008), and to Faisal Aldaye, Christopher Bettinger, Xinliang Feng, Xing Yi Ling and Shengqian Ma (2009).

The 2008 and 2009 winners of the IUPAC Prizes for Young Chemists

The bit that really stole the show, however, was when we were asked to follow the piper to the reception. Baffled looks abound, but the unmistakable sound came hauntingly through the curtains, and out stepped a kilted piper to lead us to the Glasgow Science Centre.

A traditionally-dressed piper leads the chemist congregation from the Clyde Auditorium

That was yesterday… this morning we had the pleasure and honour of being addressed by the inimitable Sir Harry Kroto. His enthusiastic, heartfelt talks are always a highlight, and today he discussed (among much else) his concept of “three senses”: common sense, uncommon sense (science) and nonsense (too common). And as he said himself: “common sense has been replaced by common NONsense – what we need is UNcommon sense, ie science!”

Sir Harry greets the adoring crowd

The scientific legacy of Scotland is awe-inspiring. As I hurtle down the East Coast line to the 42nd IUPAC Congress in Glasgow, which is being hosted by the RSC from today until Friday, I’m taking time to acquaint myself with a few of the many great scientists, engineers and inventors the country has produced. I may fling out a few Scottish science facts throughout the week on the official IUPAC Twitter stream, twitter.com/IUPAC2009.

We’re so taken with the prodigious scientific output of Scotland that we want to celebrate it by giving away a new Apple iPhone 3GS – the latest and greatest incarnation of Alexander Graham Bell’s telephone. He’s Scottish too. All you have to do is tell us (in 140 chars or fewer, naturally) the reason Scotland produces so many great scientists (via email, blog comment or preferably Tweet). More on Scottish scientists and full competweetion rules later in the post. (more…)