Windermere Science Festival is returning for its fourth year running.
The event will bring some of the UK’s top scientists, astronomers and science communicators to the Lake District to host events on everything from aliens to rocket building.
It takes place on May 10 and May 11 at Windermere Jetty Museum, and will include talks, demonstrations, events, family friendly activities, boat trips and workshops.
This year’s event theme is Astronomy, Space and Ecology, and attendees will have the chance to explore England’s largest lake, the mysteries of the universe, go on a journey through the solar system, search for aliens, build a rocket and more.
The festival is inviting budding scientists of all ages to join BBC TV’s Sky at Night presenter and astronomer Chris Lintott in search of aliens, celebrating the wonders of space and nature in a festival jam-packed with dynamic discoveries, innovation and inspiring ideas.
Star Wars fans will get the chance to hone their Jedi skills at the lakeside light sabre school and meet two characters from the films. Glynn Morgan, curator of London’s Science Museum, will explain The Science of Star Wars, when science fiction can become real.
Festival goers will also be able to join a Canoe Safari on Windermere with freshwater ecologist Dr. Ellie Mackay.
The Big Float will see teams build and then paddle their own full sized cardboard boat.
West End performer Kerry Jay will also perform a fun, interactive family rocket balloon show of discovery through the universe.
A chance to create shadow photos with leaves and shapes in Cyanotypes will also be on offer at the festival, giving attendees a chance to discover how the photography process works and uncover science’s early roots at the Alchemy talk with University of Cumbria.
The festival’s Eco Zone will help visitors do their bit to reach net zero, create new habitats and learn about the reed bed revival with South Cumbria Rivers Trust, explore the latest in Swedish clean energy using VR headsets and diving into Lake Ecology.
Local artist Charlie Whinney will share how to keep the memory of the Sycamore Gap tree alive.
Attendees will also be able to learn about the important role pollinators perform with Captain Andy Brown. Cumbria Action for Sustainability will offer carbon literacy training to help participants find ways to reduce their carbon footprint.
Exhibitors, including the Royal Society of Chemistry, Vatenfall and Lancaster University will host interactive demonstrations.
Festival goers are welcome to dress in sci-fi inspired costumes, with a prize each day for the best dressed.
Windermere Science Festival is the brainchild of festival director, Nick Greenall, and is a year-round science outreach programme across South Lakeland.
Lakeland Arts, the local arts and heritage charity that operates Windermere Jetty Museum, has hosted the project for four years. The festival also works in partnership with then Lake District Foundation.
Nick said: “Windermere Science Festival is unlike any other science festival. Partnerships with the Lake District Foundation and Windermere Jetty Museum give us access to local organisations and experts as well as the museum’s established science, technology, engineering and maths learning programme, all in a stunning lakeside location where visitors can explore Windermere.”
Windermere Science Festival entry is included with museum admission. Admission tickets are annual passes, giving visitors access to the museum for 12 months. The museum’s annual pass holders and members of Lakeland Arts go free.
Rowan Roberts, participation and learning manager for Lakeland Arts said: “We are looking forward to opening the museum’s doors to budding scientists as we host our fourth Windermere Science Festival weekend this May.
“The festival is a fun weekend that gives families an opportunity to access top scientists, demonstrations and creative workshops for all ages.”
