Windermere Science Festival will be back with a bang next month.
The event will showcase some of the UK’s leading scientists, science communicators and even an icon of British science fiction.
It takes place on May 11 and May 12 at Windermere Jetty Museum, with additional events hosted at the Old Laundry Theatre and The Laundrama.
The programme includes talks, demonstrations, events, family friendly activities, boat trips and workshops.
This year’s line-up boasts some of the UK’s leading scientists, including award winning material scientist Anna Ploszajski, The Institute of Physics, The Royal Society of Chemistry, plus researchers from the University of Manchester who will share their Nobel Prize winning discovery of graphene.
For younger science enthusiasts, festival favourite Professor Pumpernickel returns with his unique blend of bangs, Bunsen burners and bamboozlement! Freshwater ecologist Dr Ellie Mackay will be on hand to take visitors on an educational canoe safari, discovering Windermere’s origins, natural habitats, and biodiversity.
As well as this, the Science Viking will bring his unique take on all things Viking science, demonstrating forces and materials through weaponry and tell stories about alchemy. A favourite of all Dr Who fans, a roaming Dalek will be at the museum keeping the humans in check!
Visitors will be asked to help Dr Mark Norris, director of the Alston Observatory, to identify gasses found in space, award winning communicators from Science Made Simple will inform, entertain, and inspire, and food scientist Dr Duncan Gaskin will do his best to misdirect your sense of taste – blue baked beans anyone?
Those who are feeling brave are invited to attend an Agatha Christie-inspired poisoner’s dinner with best-selling author Dr Kathryn Harkup. Enjoy a three-course meal and learn about the chemicals Christie used to kill off her characters.
Visitors will be able to meet internationally renowned artist Charlie Whinney, who will lift the lid on steam bending wood, and everyone will have the chance to design, build and row their own boat on the lake as part of the festival’s famous Big Float. Plus, there will be more opportunities to get creative, crafting bee bombs, kaleidoscopes and hovercrafts.
A New Orleans jazz band will attend on Sunday to bring the tempo up.
Festival director Nick Greenall said: “This year’s festival is bigger and better than ever. We’ve also sought to inject the Art in STEM (STEAM) by weaving in an arts theme throughout.
“So, audiences of all ages will be able to learn about art through science, science through art and – we hope – have considerable fun along the way. Many thanks to all our funders and all those hosting events this year. We can’t believe how quickly the festival has grown.”
In the run-up to the festival, several outreach activities will be taking place at schools across the region. Last year the festival reached over 1,000 children in the lead up to the event, with event organisers hoping to increase that figure this year.
Rhian Harris, chief executive of Lakeland Arts, added: “Windermere Science Festival brings together an exciting programme of events for people of all ages to discover the wonders of science and creativity. Windermere Jetty Museum will be hosting inspiring talks, demonstrations, workshops and family activities for a weekend of STEAM filled fun! The festival is a place to make discoveries, create memorable experiences and come together as a community.”
This year’s festival is supported by Lakeland Arts, The Granada Foundation and Arts Council England.
