News / Festival puts Science under the Microscope
Festival puts Science under the Microscope
Hot on the heels of last year’s highly acclaimed BA Festival of Science, the amazing world of science and technology will again be the focus of attention in the North, as the York Festival of Science and Technology returns in early 2008.
Coinciding with National Science and Engineering Week (7-16 March), the ten day exploration of the city’s scientific ‘best bits’ will celebrate the breadth, and often hidden depths, of science.
Now in its 11th year, the festival is also a chance to showcase York and North Yorkshire’s thriving science and technology base which consolidates York’s position as a founding UK ‘Science City’.
‘Engineering the Future’ is the central theme of a packed programme of over 50 special events and activities put together by Science City York and involving the collective talents of more than 20 local organisations and businesses.
An evening exploring how psychology and art can be used to reveal the ‘engineering’ behind the human mind launches the festival on Friday 7 March at York St John University.
The opening weekend sees the return of the National Railway Museum’s (NRM) highly popular ‘Cab It!’ event where visitors can enjoy cab access to the world’s largest collection of locomotives and even the chance to drive a train!
On Saturday 8 March, the museum also hosts the festival’s family launch event - a light-hearted, interactive look at the engineering behind trains from former Head of Engineering at the NRM, Richard Gibbon, OBE.
A familiar face to many as an expert on C4’s ‘Scrapheap Challenge’, Richard will talk about “Why Don’t Trains have Steering Wheels…and Other Not So Stupid Questions!” from 7.00pm.
A special late opening of the Great Hall with hands-on activities for budding engineers rounds off a fantastic evening of free entertainment.
Young people in the region are also set for a voyage of scientific discovery, with the Rotary Club Schools’ Technology Tournament and three “Discovery Days” taking place at the NRM on Tuesday 11 March and 13-15 March respectively. Youngsters will have the opportunity to enjoy up to 20 workshops with hands on, practical activities designed to inspire a lifelong interest in science and engineering.
Add the opportunity to ‘cycle the solar system’ with the University of York, the offer of an ‘Alien’ encounter at the Yorkshire Museum, and even the chance to ‘rocket launch’ your Easter egg courtesy of SETPOINT North Yorkshire, and the 2008 York Festival of Science and Technology looks set to beat its record-breaking 15,500 visitors in 2007.
Imogen Foster, Communications Manager at Science City York said: “The festival offers a great chance to experience so many aspects of science and new technologies first-hand. Each event is designed to involve and engage the audience, and we hope everyone taking part will come away having learnt something new.”
With so much more on offer in and around the city during the science festival including several technology-related ‘taster’ courses, visit www.sciencecityyork.org.uk for a full listing of events or call 01904 554533 to reserve your free copy of the festival brochure.
