Profile
Ben Butler
Keep the questions flowing in students... You've been brilliant so far!
My CV
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Education:
Godalming College (2006-2008), Bangor University (2008-Present)
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Qualifications:
A levels in Chemistry, Geography and Environmental Science, a degree in Ocean Science and a Masters in Environmental Chemistry
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Work History:
My work hasn’t always been science. Throughout my education I’ve done a lot of part time work in cafes! I love coffee and cake so it was ideal!
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Current Job:
I’m studying for a PhD at the moment, which is basically learning how to be a good Scientist
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Read more
Seawater has lots of salts in it, which you’ve probably realised from the taste of it when you swim in the sea. When you freeze seawater to make salty ice cubes (not recommended for drinks), the salts inside it behave in really interesting ways, and make frozen seawater VERY different to just your normal ice cubes.
When seawater freezes in the ocean, it is known as sea ice. The Arctic Ocean (Near the North Pole) is covered in sea ice all year, but at the moment scientists have found that it is melting really quickly due to global warming!
By researching how frozen seawater behaves using X-rays that are 100,000 times more powerful than the ones used in hospitals, I hope to find out how sea ice might change in the future as our planet gets warmer and warmer.
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My Typical Day:
Scientists don’t normally have a ‘typical’. I find myself all over the place doing all sorts different exciting things
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Read more
As far as a job goes, I can’t think of many more interesting and exciting than being a scientist. There are always so many different things to do that there isn’t much of a typical day at all. Sometimes I might spend the day reading and writing, on others I may be in the lab using lots of exciting chemicals and machines, and sometimes I might be across the other side of the world meeting other scientists to learn and discuss new ideas.
There’s always lots to do, and I never find myself bored or watching the clock. Being a scientist is great fun!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d like to set up a live web-cam in one of the big fish tanks at the Anglesey Sea Zoo
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Easy-going, focused, and creative
Were you ever in trouble at school?
I once squished a worm in my teachers book when I was 7. I learnt my lesson though and didn’t really get into trouble after that.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Coldplay
What's your favourite food?
A good sandwich
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
I wish the weather was nicer in North Wales (where I work), I wish I was the worlds best mathematician, and I wish that I could come back in 1,000 years time and see what scientists have discovered
Tell us a joke.
Why can’t you trust atoms?…… because they make up everything
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