Monday, 20 May 2019
It’s now less than a month to go until the University of Nottingham will be throwing open its doors to the public for a free fun day of discovery at University Park.
On Saturday 15 June 2019 between 11am and 4:30pm, Wonder — the University’s fun and interactive event is back — and offers a huge variety of activities to amaze and inspire curious minds for a day of hands-on fun.
This year we’re celebrating the Year of the Periodic Table and activities will have a fun link to the elements. With approximately 100 activities taking place on campus — ranging from art workshops through to science experiments — the public are invited to explore how the University’s world-leading research and exceptional teaching changes lives.
A dog’s life
How do dogs get their calcium? What does calcium do and how can we examine it? Come and learn calcium’s journey from dog food to bones, with opportunities to see x-ray scans, examine real dogs and handle real dog bones. And find out what happens when calcium goes wrong!
The activity takes place in the Highfields Marquee from 11am to 4:30pm, and is suitable for all ages.
Under pressure: the physics live show
Why not come and see physics in action? See a ping-pong ball shoot through a metal can. Discover how a banana can bang in a nail. And find out how to make a real cloud using liquid nitrogen.
This 45-minute popular show is available on a first come, first served basis. Find it in the Physics Building, Lecture Theatre B1 from 1:30 to 2:15pm. Suitable for ages 7+, it does contain loud bangs and smoke, so it is recommended that those with a heart condition or sensitive hearing do not attend.
Extreme materials lecture
In this exciting series of live and loud experiments, you can watch our tame chemical engineer burn, cut, smash and crush materials. Containing loud noises, smoke and flashes, you can watch the ordinary pushed to the extraordinary!
The lecture will take place in the Coates Road Auditorium from 2:30 to 3:10pm. It’s suitable for ages 7+ and places are on a first come, first served basis.
Plenty more to entertain…
From Viking treasures crafting activities and curious coins, to arts events like China Corner and sessions at Nottingham Lakeside Arts, there are too many exciting events to mention.
See here for the full list of events.
The event offers a huge variety of exciting family-friendly activities and hands-on fun, and aims to engage local families in university life, skills and research to inspire more local children towards higher education.
Shona Powell, Director of Nottingham Lakeside Arts, said:
“We are delighted to welcome individuals and families from across Nottinghamshire for this fantastic free day of events and activities at the University.”
“This year’s Wonder will be particularly exciting as we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table of the Elements, providing a brilliant way to showcase some of the awe-inspiring work that takes place at the University, through our biggest outreach event of the year with almost 100 activities, talks, and events.”
Travelling to University Park is easy. Find out more about how to get here by car, bus and tram. Parking is free throughout the day and visitors can park in any of the car parks on campus (with the exception of the East car park).
You can also find out up-to-date information on our University of Nottingham Facebook Events page.
This year’s Wonder will be particularly exciting as we are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table of the Elements, providing a brilliant way to showcase some of the awe-inspiring work that takes place at the University, through our biggest outreach event of the year with almost 100 activities, talks, and events.
Story credits
More information is available from Dani Jenkins, Corporate Marketing Manager at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 748 4658, dani.jenkins@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
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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