Allan Blackman

Topic: Chemistry

Chemistry is critical to our everyday lives and yet the vast majority of the population spends no time thinking about it or its vital role in our world.

Professor Allan Blackman wants to correct that oversight through good science communication and chemistry education.

"Chemistry is the reason we live as we do, and it will be chemists who will make the discoveries that will ensure the continuance of life on Earth as we know it. The more that everyone on the planet knows about chemistry, the better our chances of survival will be."

One contribution Professor Blackman has already made to chemistry education is co-authoring Australasia's best-selling first-year chemistry textbook, which is currently in its fourth edition.

Previous Guest Speakers

 2024 > 2023 > 2022 >  2021 >  2020 >  2019 >  2018 >   2017 >   2016 >  2015 >  2014 > 2013 > 2012 >   2011 >   2010 >   2009 > 2008 >
2000 - 2007 >

Overview of our Monthly Meetings
The two hour meeting is held on the first Tuesday morning of each month. An invited speaker, expert in the field, informs, educates and entertains us. Our focus is Exceptional New Zealanders doing Exceptional Things in New Zealand. A wide range of current topics is covered and we are sometimes privy to information not yet released by the researchers to the public.

The second part of the meeting is provided by our U3A Special Interest Groups whose presentations have been identified as being of interest for the whole membership. A tea break provides the opportunity for members to mix and chat. Attendance at the main monthly meetings is optional. Members are required to attend one or more Special Interest Groups as this is where the active learning focus of the U3A philosophy occurs and long last friendships are made.

Sometimes the sessions are reversed to suit the Guest Speaker.