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Taking science to the streets for curious festival

Tuesday, 04 February 2020

Experts from the University of Nottingham are taking science from the lab and into the community for the Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity.

The popular annual event is returning in the city from the 12-19 February with a range of events showcasing science, technology, engineering and maths, including: a live dissection of a heart, a behind the scenes look at the science of brewing beer as well as a range of fun, free, hands-on activities aimed at all the family.

The Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity is now in its sixth year and this year is bigger than ever with 50 events spread across 30 venues throughout the city and county.

On Saturday 15th February the festival will take over Nottingham with events at Central Library and Victoria Centre Market where visitors can discover mind-bending science tricks, handle real-life lab equipment and try exciting science games. There will also be a curiosity playground to explore at Sneinton Market.

The Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity is a collaborative project, led by Nottingham-based educational charity Ignite! in partnership with the University of Nottingham, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham City Council, Broadway/Near Now, the STEM Ambassador Hub and other educational and cultural organisations.

Some other highlights of the festival include:

  • What’s Brewing? The Science Behind Beer.Weds 12 Feb, 7.30pm-9.30pm, Barley Twist, Carrington Street. Ever thought about the science behind how beer is made? Join in for an evening discovering all the wonderful brewing science happening in Nottingham.
  • Anatomy Nights: Valentine’s Day Special.Fri 14 Feb, 7.30pm-9.30pm, Canalhouse, Canal Street. Join clinical anatomist Dr Kat Sanders as she takes you on a tour of a remarkable organ, the heart – culminating in a live heart dissection.
  • Matt Woodham: Sensing Systems.Sat 15 Feb, 11am-3pm, Bonington Gallery, Nottingham Trent University. Matt Woodham presents his debut solo exhibition Sensing Systems, filled with a composition of connected installations, positioning visitors within a system of light, sound and motion.
  • Curiosity Market.Sat 15 Feb, 10am-4pm, Victoria Centre Market, intu Victoria Centre. Dive into a gene pool, challenge your family to a reaction-time competition and explore the journey of medicines from powder to pill.
  • Camp QuerdyTues 18 Feb, 7pm-9.30pm, Nonsuch Studios, 92 Lower Parliament Street. An evening of comedy, sequins and prizes featuring some of the finest and funniest clever-clogs that the rainbow has to offer.
  • On the road Monday 17th – Wednesday 19th February the festival will be on the road, bringing interactive activities to city and county libraries, perfect for families looking for things to do in half-term.

The festival also has a bustling Curious Lates programme designed for adults, which will run during the evenings throughout the festival. With science comedy, pub talks and the live heart dissection.

We have a jam-packed programme of activities as always and there really is something for everyone to enjoy and hopefully have some of their curious questions answered by our experts! This event is a fantastic way to engage people with science in a relaxed and informal way and inspire confidence in exploring STEM subjects.
Megan Shore, Festival of Science producer

For more information and detailed event listings please visit www.nottsfosac.co.uk

Story credits

More information on the research is available from Megan Shore, festival Producer at megan@ignitefutures.org.uk or Jane Icke Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham, on 0115 951 5751 or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk.

janeicke
Jane Icke - Media Relations Manager Science
Email: jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Phone: 0115 7486462
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About the University of Nottingham

Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.

Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.

The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.

We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.

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