Horizons first year shares the magic of science

Glenn T. Seaborg transmuted Bismuth into gold in the 1980s. Credit: U.S. Department of Energy and Bammesk, via Wikimedia Commons.

Alice Choubry, who took HSS module Writing Science Stories, shares the 'magic' of science in the Felix student newspaper this week.

In this week's edition of Felix you'll find a piece entitled An Alchemist’s Dream. Written by first year undergraduate Alice Choubry, the article makes the link between alchemy of centuries past and modern science. Alice took the 1st Year Horizons module Writing Science Stories and credits its lecturer Catherine Webb with helping her writing reach a higher level. We asked Alice a few questions about her piece for Felix:

What inspired you to write this particular story?

Alice: This story originated from my wonder for science. When I started getting interested in Materials Science and Engineering - which is now what I'm studying at Imperial - I stumbled across some writing about gold transmutation.
As alchemy had been one of my interests as a child who read a lot of fantasy novels, this sent me onto a series of more reading and research. That confirmed to me that this was what I wanted to study; and writing about this last term during Horizons just seemed right! This is not just about particle physics, or alchemy, or gold. This is about how 'magical' I find what I study.

What I like about writing is the ability to give life to my ideas. Alice Choubry

What about the Horizons module was helpful?

Alice: Writing Science Stories helped me shape my ideas together and focus on the essential aspects of what I wanted to say. The module allowed me to play around with different styles. Ultimately, it helped me find the best way to convey my story and to prefect it.
Beyond writing about something I was passionate about and helping me grow as a writer and getting my piece published in Felix, this module was a highlight of my week. I enjoyed spending at last an hour just writing and only focusing on it, which was for me a great way to relax.

What got you into writing in general?

Alice: I have always enjoyed writing, ever since I learned to read and write. I think that what drew me into writing was growing up around many books and being encouraged to write stories. At home, my parents and me have kept all the little stories, comic strips and poems I wrote when I was younger. What I like about writing is the ability to give life to my ideas.

Alice hopes to study Science Communication in her second year, and is excited to engage with more science writing.

There’s still time to pick up a print copy of Felix (16/05/25). Or you can read Alice Choubry’s article in Felix online.