Yesterday, six lucky students from Ridley’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme had an out of this world experience, as they explored the astrophysics presented in recent blockbuster, ‘The Martian’.

The York University Department of Physics and Astronomy put together an event that these students would never forget.

The evening began with a special screening of ‘The Martian‘ at the Cineplex IMAX theatre in Vaughan. This film follows an astronaut, as he tries to survive on the red planet after being stranded on a mission. The students were able to discover how physics plays a role in the world (and galaxy) around us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After the screening, the students were treated to a dinner, with physicists, professors and fellow students. Dinner began with remarks made by a number of York professors, including Dr. Marshall L. McCall, and special guest, Dr. Allan Carswell, a Canadian physicist who worked on the NASA Mars Pheonix Lander Mission from 2007-2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

York science students then presented an array of research that they are conducting and showcased the work being done at the on-campus observatory. Hearing students – not much older than our Ridleians – excited the students about all of the possibilities on the horizon.

By dessert time, students were keen to participate in a Q&A session to learn all they could about the factual science in the film.

This excursion gave the students a chance to experience advanced science from a new perspective, with experts in the field. Thank you to our colleagues at York University for this unique learning opportunity.