A photo I took of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York visiting the National Physical Laboratory was published in the Richmond & Twickenham Times on Friday 1st March 2013.

The story and photo featured on page 10 of the local newspaper, and online on their website.

July saw me visit the Royal Society Summer Exhibition on behalf of NPL, to take photos of their stand “POP! The Sound of Bubbles”.

Photos by me, from the event can be seen on NPL’s Flickr account.

A video created by me for NPL’s Royal Society Summer Exhibit interviewing scientists about their careers.

The photo shows a simple experiment demonstrating how a thermoelectric generator creates energy. Two small baths, one filled with cold water, and the other with hot water are placed together with two metal plates protruding from the top. An electric motor is then placed on top and connected to each plate, the resulting energy which is created in turn makes the fan spin.

More about NPL’s Energy harvesting exhibit, or read the full BBC News story.

A selection of my photos from the 2011 Water Rocket Challenge have been published in several local newspapers around the Richmond and Kingston area in the Local Guardian and Richmond and Kingston Informer.

Press cuttings (PDF)

You can read and see the online versions of the articles in the Informer before the event (using my previous years photo), and after the event and in the Local Guardian.

Blast Off!

A rocket launches with an egg on-board - leaving a trail of feathers behind!

Checking the payload with anticipation!

Preparing for launch

Houston we have a go!

The army attempt to construct a tower out of newspaper

Preparing to launch the World’s Largest Water Rocket

Blast Off!

Some of my contributions to the day are below, you can see all the photos submitted throughout the day at NPL’s Flickr set.

Andrew Hanson takes delivery of fizzy drinks bottles ahead of NPL’s Annual Water Rocket Challenge.

A partner organisation finalises a deal.

Visiting Bilbo Baggins


Testing in progress

Ready, set, go!

Staff canteen

The photo shows Robert using a prototype of Argento’s point-of-care device in his lab and accompanies a two page article which examines the medical device and its uses and benefits.

View the article on The Engineer’s website.

What would we need from you

All we ask is for you to answer a couple questions every month or so at the minimum, if you want to answer more than feel free! They only have to be a few paragraphs long, and written to GCSE / A-level level to make sure the widest possible audience can understand them.

Don’t want to write? We also have a possible exciting new venture which would see us team up with a leading online audio site which would let visitors ask questions verbally, and let scientists respond to them likewise.

What’s more, if you’re a STEM Ambassador, your contributions will actively count towards your activities!

You’ll be credited for all your work, and it’s a great visible way of getting yourself out there and in the public eye.

Get more info and take part!

If you want to take part or get more info, simply leave a comment below, or email us at hello@askascientist.co.uk

To see how we’ve been getting on so far, and what’s already been answered, you can view the Ask a Scientist website.

You can see the photo below, which shows Paul working in his lab viewing a laser beam which is being shone through the light bulb and onto a piece of card.

The photo, taken in a very dark lab, was shot with a Canon 7D, f1.8 50mm lens and a Sigma EF 530 Flash.

Read the online version of the article here.