January 29, 2018, by jicke

Festival to excite Nottingham’s science curiosity

Writing poetry with code, gazing at stars and taking part in Chemistry experiments are just some of the activities on offer at this year’s Festival of Science and Curiosity.

The University of Nottingham is partnering the event which is returning for a fourth year and runs from 14-21 February. It aims to provide opportunities for the people of Nottingham to express their curiosity and engage in science, technology, maths and engineering, learning and culture.

Breaking down barriers

Matthew Young, Festival Producer and PhD Neuroscientist at the University of Nottingham said: “There are so many fantastic researchers in Nottingham who are passionate about their work and they’re all very eager to share it with the rest of the city; the Festival of Science and Curiosity is a great way for them to do just that! Science, technology, maths and engineering is embedded everywhere in our daily lives, but it’s all too easy for these fascinating ideas and concepts to seem very inaccessible and irrelevant to everyone who doesn’t do it for their day job. That’s why events like the festival are so important – it’s all about breaking down barriers, showcasing those who do the science and how it relates to all our lives.”

There’s something for people of all ages, and the events fall under four categories:

Curious city: city-centre events on Saturday 17th such as:

• Explorers Fair at Broadway Cinema (www.explorersfair.com).
• Jurassic Diets and Sleeping Giants at Wollaton Hall (free)
• Hands-on Science at the National Videogame Arcade (free)
• Science in the Shopping Centre at intu Broadmarsh (free)

Curious lates: programme for adults which includes science comedy from the renowned Gemma Arrowsmith, Steve Cross and Anna Ploszajski

 Curious communities: a series of community-based events in Bilborough, Bulwell and Sneinton libraries

 Curious conversations: events for science/education professionals.

The festival is organised through the Stemcity partnership which promotes opportunities for citizen engagement in science and technology, learning and culture. It aims to make Nottingham a city where everyone can feel confident about science and technology, and where young people are inspired to consider a career in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Other partners include: Nottingham City Council, Nottingham Trent University, the National Videogame Arcade, Broadway Media Centre, Ignite!,and STEM Learning.

Megan Shore, the 2018 festival’s co-producer, explained the purpose of the festival, ‘The festival aims to take science out from behind closed laboratory doors into the community, where regular people can get involved with it as something that is creative and part of our every day lives. We really want to encourage people to express their curiosity, ask questions and get stuck in!’.

Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Business, Education and Skills at the City Council, said: “I am delighted to see the festival return to Nottingham for its fourth year. By providing exciting hands-on experiences, Stemcity partners are demonstrating that STEM subjects are for everyone, and highlighting the many exciting career opportunities in these areas.”

More information, including events listings, can be found online at www.nottsfosac.co.uk

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Google+
• Share on LinkedIn