Over 1,000 people attended the second Windermere Science Festival last weekend, and 1,000 children engaged with science outreach activities in local schools in the run up to the event.
From the meadow, which hosted Dan Fox’s stunning sound sculptures, to the lakeshore where 1911 seaplane replica Waterbird was moored, the whole site was alive with science.
R2-D2 and Chewbacca delighted the crowds and Windermere Lake Cruises sailed by for tourists to wave hello. BBC presenter Greg Foot was a little taken aback when Chewbacca gatecrashed his talk, though this didn’t detract from audiences being fascinated by his insights into science and an introduction to the newly discovered Hoff crab.
The festival took place on water as well as on land: canoeists learnt about the ecology of Windermere with Dr Ellie Mackay; budding marine engineers built and paddled their own cardboard boats; 75 paper boats raced on the museum’s pond, and visitors learnt about local ornithology whilst taking a trip on a heritage boat.
Professor Pumpernickel and Kerry Jay thrilled all ages with their science entertainment shows. The Royal Society of Chemistry, Artfly and James Cropper hosted brilliant interactive demonstrations.
Lakeland Arts MEND van offered creative activities, Langdale Primary School and Crosthwaite Primary School led pollinators activities, and Captain Andy Brown talked about the importance of pollinators for us all.
Visitors also enjoyed fascinating talks from the British Antarctic Survey and the museum’s senior conservation boatbuilder Stephen Beresford.
Those who attended Dr Katherine Harkup’s talk on the science of James Bond were provided with practical tips on how to attain world domination whilst being served delicious Bond-themed cocktails by Bowness’ Arts Bar.
The festival was commissioned with Lakeland Arts.
The festival’s director Nick Greenall, said: “Amidst all the fun there was much serious science taking place. I hope we’ve demonstrated that science is for everyone and that it can be a fantastic adventure no matter where your scientific interest may lie. Many thanks to all our contributors and especially our partners Lakeland Arts for making this festival such a success.”
Rhian Harris, chief executive of Lakeland Arts, said: “It was brilliant to see so many young people and their families engaging with science right across our Windermere Jetty Museum site.”
