The coming weekend promises more enlightening science with over 120 events, including talks, exhibitions, demonstrations and hands-on, interactive experiences, investigating some of the latest research in astronomy, physics, maths and biomedical research.
On Saturday, events are held across the city, including Anglia Ruskin University, Botanic Garden, Cambridge University Library, various museums, Cambridge Union Society and Cambridge Junction. Meanwhile, various University of Cambridge Departments and Institutes at the West Cambridge Site also open their doors to the public, including Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Department of Physics, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Cavendish Laboratory, Institute of Astronomy, and Institute for Manufacturing.
Curious visitors of all ages can pop along to Anglia Ruskin’s Cambridge campus on Saturday, where a series of interactive activities, including a driving simulator, a chance to listen to your voice combined with the sounds of Cambridge, and the opportunity to be dazzled by the interactive light lab, are on offer.
Anglia Ruskin academics are holding a series of talks and workshops. Dr Jane Aspell explores the science of out-of-body experiences, while Dr Peter Brown and Dr Helen Roy explain how to track an alien ladybird invasion. Professor Viren Swami, author of Attraction Explained; and co-authors of The Scientific Secrets of Doctor Who, Dr Marek Kukula and Simon Guerrier, are also signing copies of their books at their respective events.
The Botanic Garden is set to run a series of hands-on activities throughout the day, including a drop-in event, Plant hunter challenge, during which visitors can see if they have what it takes to become a plant hunter, finding and collecting the world’s most unusual plant specimens.
Over at the West Cambridge Site, visitors can explore, discover and relish in some of the fascinating science presented by a range of University of Cambridge Departments, including practicalities of orbital space travel, the science of ice cream, and graduate engineering students trying to explain their research in a very short space of time.
For those that like to get hands-on and fully involved in science, there are materials science workshops giving visitors the opportunity to experience everyday scientific phenomena; the ever popular hands-on maths fair; and the chance to join engineers from Dyson to reconstruct a Dyson machine head and take part in other short engineering challenges.
Over at the Cavendish Laboratory, visitors can enjoy a range of experiments, demos, talks and CHaOS! And for those who have ever wondered what it is like to work at -20 degrees Celsius or if penguin poo can really be seen from space, now is the time to find out from British Antarctic Survey scientists.
The Institute for Manufacturing are a family favourite and this year is no exception with the range of events they have on offer, from demos that show water droplets frozen in mid-air and laser powered rockets, to the chance to try out some of the latest science-based products from local companies and win a prize for thinking of the best ways to use them.
Another family favourite is the open afternoon at the Institute of Astronomy, during which visitors can find out what happens when galaxies collide, or investigate possible holiday destinations at the Exoplanet Travel Bureau. Additionally, there is an exhibition and short talks exploring 'The history of Astronomy in ten books' from the historical archives of the Observatory library, meteorites on display, and much more besides.
The popular Schools Zone returns for another year at the Hauser Forum, giving students from across the region the chance to showcase their scientific successes. Teams of up to 10 students from secondary schools and sixth form colleges become the experts for the day, displaying their science, technology, engineering or maths projects from lessons and science clubs to members of the public and members of the University of Cambridge. Last year, the Schools Zone attracted hundreds of visitors and received positive and enthusiastic feedback. This year is expected to attract an even larger pool of visitors, hopeful of seeing the next generation of scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians as they bring a different kind of interactive fun to the Festival.
Sunday is the grand finale of the Cambridge Science Festival and covers all things biomedical and healthcare related at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus (CBC). Visitors can have a go at keyhole surgery; see how robots and computers are helping with patient care; experience how dance classes are helping the elderly recover after a fall; listen to the experts share their knowledge on hearing loss, diabetes, transplant, and 3D imagining techniques; discover how charitable support can help make the difference in patient care; meet ‘Magic’ the dog who helps to manage his owner’s diabetes and; get to grips with DNA, stem cells, and the da Vinci robot, which takes surgery beyond the limits of the human hand.
In addition to hands-on, interactive events, there is a series of talks at the CBC, including a lecture – hosted by the Chair of the Cambridge University Hospitals – by Keith Day who casts light on the events and the people behind the history of Addenbrooke's hospital, revealing some hitherto unknown stories. Professor Ashok Venkitaraman from the Medical Research Council’s Cancer Unit discusses recent scientific advances that promise to transform our ability to translate biological knowledge into new medicines. And Professor Sir John Gurdon, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 2012 and Distinguished Group Leader at the Gurdon Institute, takes the audience on the journey of his lifetime researching cell reprogramming, beginning with creating the first clones through to the potential applications of his research in therapies using cell renewal.
The Cambridge Science Centre goes all out science crazy, hosting a fun-filled day of non-stop shows and hands-on workshops for all the family. While, budding scientists visiting the University Technical College can roll up their sleeves and experience the excitement of science in the challenge labs.
For those that like anything slippery and slimy, head to Wandlebury and get up close and personal with slugs, snails and worms, and then track them down across the park during the scavenger hunt.
Cambridge Science Festival Coordinator, Dr Lucinda Spokes, said: “This has been an exceptional year for the Festival with many of the events really capturing the imagination of adults and children alike.
“The coming weekend promises to be no different and we’re really looking forward to welcoming everyone to the many events being hosted across the city.”
Further information can be found at: www.sciencefestival.cam.ac.uk
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