Ancient Tech, Modern Challenges, and the Future of STEM
Schedule
Sat Jun 27 2026 at 09:00 am to 05:00 pm
UTC+01:00Location
Cardiff University | Cardiff, WA
About this Event
Ancient Tech, Modern Challenges, and the Future of STEM
Join us at the Cardiff University for an exciting event covering a wide range of topics.
Explore the history of astronomy, current challenges, and future possibilities. Engage with leading experts in the field and fellow enthusiasts.
Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or just starting your journey into the stars, this convention promises to inspire and educate.
Doors will open at 9 am, with the programme running from 10am to 5pm.
To keep costs down, we are asking you to bring your own lunch. We will provide hot and cold drinks, and biscuits.
NB the exact room we are will be holding the convention in is still to be determined. We will update the location nearer the time. It will either be in the Queens building or Trevithick building. These are right next door to each other.
If you are a member of a FAS Society you can buy tickets at a reduce rate. Enter your promo code as sent to Societies at the top of the next window to reveal these tickets.
Please note the FAS cannot issue the code directly to people as we are unable to verify if you are a member of a given society.
Please do not purchase the FAS society tickets for people who aren't members.
Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Gold Sponsor
First Light Optics are the Gold Sponsor for the convention.
“We are the UK’s largest supplier of astronomy equipment to amateur astronomers and professional/academic institutions.
Seventeen colleagues work from our warehouse, workshop and manufacturing facility in Exeter and remotely from homes across the UK.
As a specialist supplier, we provide reliable advice based on experience. We also design and develop astronomy products and manufacture several of them in-house.”
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, exhibitor or advertiser, contact Jerry Stone at [email protected]
Speakers Include
More speaker info coming soon. Times TBC
Welcome
Host: Clare Lauwerys, FAS President
Info: Welcome / Safety Notices/The Programme
Using astronomy to engage students in STEM
Host: Prof. Paul Roche FRAS
Info: Chair of Astronomy Education at Cardiff University
An astronomer who specialises in outreach and education, working with schools to
develop astronomy and space-themed STEM education resources and programmes.
His current research interests are in asteroids and comets, but he has previously worked on hot stars, black holes and neutron stars.
Space Junk - The danger of orbital collisions
Host: Prof. Mike Lockwood FRS
Info: Professor of Space Environment Physics at the University of Reading and President of the
Royal Astronomical Society from May 2024.
His research interests include variations in the magnetic fields of the Sun, interplanetary space, and the Earth and in general solar influence on global and regional climate.
How We Became Aware of Galaxies
Host: Dr Jane Clark
A Waste of Space
Host: Dr Jenifer Millard
Info: Dr Jenifer Millard (MPhys 2016, PhD 2021), known as “Dr. Jen”, is a science communicator specialising in astronomy. Her work as the writer and host of the popular "Awesome Astronomy” podcast and talent for sharing her passion has rocketed her career into TV and radio. As the Managing Editor of the "Sky Guide" App at Fifth Star Labs, she helps people explore the wonders of the night sky. She is also a science presenter for BBC1 Wales' "Weatherman Walking" series, and frequently appears on TV and radio, explaining the latest advances in astronomy and space exploration, as featured on BBC's AI Decoded.
In addition to her media work, Dr. Jen actively participates in practical astronomy. She co-organises Astrocamp, a bi-annual star party where amateur astronomers gather to observe the cosmos and participate in various activities.
The Antikythera Mechanism
Host: Prof. Mike Edmunds MA PhD FRAS
Info: Emeritus Professor of Astrophysics. Former Head of the School of Physics & Astronomy.
Chair of the Antikythera Mechanism Research Project - an international collaboration that investigates the extraordinary Greek calculator which, although well over 2,000 years old, can predict predict astronomical positions and events.
Where is it happening?
Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, United KingdomEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
GBP 11.55 to GBP 22.38
