SLIM and Mayfest
Universities have long had "Open Days" for prospective students, but having such events for the local population is a much more recent, and very welcome, phenomenon.
Nottingham University had their first open day for the community in 2009. The success of this initial event resulted in a bigger and better open day in 2010 and then in subsequent years the extravaganza has been called "Mayfest".
A free, day-long occasion held in May, Mayfest is perhaps best described in the words of the programme - "Old favourites return to sit alongside many exciting new activities. The fantastically popular 'Thunder and Lightning' sessions are back, you can find out what it takes to be a vet, try some brain games or chat with scientists in the labs about the world-leading research being carried out on your
doorstep. Or you could explore our campus with a tour of the secret gardens. We’re a major employer in the region, so you’ll also be able to find out about opportunities to work or study here."
The programme of events taking place cover subjects as diverse as archaeology, astronomy, biology, geography, physics and eco-housing!
The SLIM team and members of staff from School of Life Sciences took part in Mayfest this year with a version of their microscope from a mobile phone alongside experiments with fluorescence. The day was busy with many members of the public visiting the stand to have a go at using the microscope. Many parents took away the instructions for making your own microscope, so there could be many budding microscopists created in the future.