News / Science Festival to bring York to life
Science Festival to bring York to life
Tuesday 26th January 2010
A Passion for Penguins, ‘Secret Science’ Science Walks and ‘Medi-Evil’ Medicine are just some of the headline acts designed to fire the imagination in the upcoming York Festival of Science and Technology, festival coordinators Science City York have revealed.
Now in its 13th year, York’s annual celebration of science and discovery has already brought more than 250 special events and activities spanning the very best bits of science to thousands of people across the city and beyond.
Running between 12 and 21 March to coincide with the British Science Association’s National Science and Engineering Week, ‘Earth’ is this year’s central theme of a packed programme of special events and activities put together by Science City York and local partners, and involving the collective talents of top names from the world of science from across the region and the UK.
Festival Coordinator Debra Crossley, from Science City York, said: “This is a fantastic way to connect real science with the community at the heart of a ‘Science City’. Looking at life, the Universe and plenty in-between, the York Festival of Science and Technology is one of the best ways to experiment with the science that matters.”
The 2010 science festival launches on Friday 12 March with the unveiling of a new ‘Secret Science’ trail for the city. Science City York has teamed up with local touring company Exploring York to develop a special trail of discovery revealing some of the science behind York’s world-famous heritage. Starting out from the National Railway Museum, intrepid explorers can be amongst the first to turn ‘science detective’ and solve the clues to discover a lesser known side to York’s fascinating 2,000 year history.
The evening of the 12th March takes on a more macabre feel as self proclaimed ‘mad scientist’ Simon Watt promises blood, guts and gore as he morphs into time travelling alter ego ‘Dr Death’ to bring his Medi-Evil Medicine Show to York.
York-based Simon has perhaps most recently been found Inside Nature’s Giants on Channel 4 which saw scientists literally under the skin of four massive animals to discover what makes them tick. Future TV commitments permitting, Simon will also provide festival goers with an opportunity to discover more about the making of this intriguing TV series in his talk ‘Dissections Uncut’ on 16th March.
From whales to ‘Happy Feet’, the fascinating world of penguins and, more worryingly, the threats posed to their existence, is revealed by Professor Peter Barham from the University of Bristol in an illustrated talk hosted by St Peter’s School in York.
Adding to the mix is Otley-based Marty Jopson, the BBC One Show’s resident scientist, offering a chance to travel through time as he explores ‘Experiments that Changed History’; a ‘Primitive Methodist Guide to Arctic Survival’ by award winning comedienne Helen Keen; and of course the return of firm festival favourites such as the free, hands-on science expo ‘Discovery Days’ at the National Railway Museum.
“We are passionate about celebrating science and York’s acclaimed status as the UK’s founding National Science City,” says Professor Nicola Spence, chief executive of Science City York. “The York Festival of Science and Technology is the highlight of our annual programme of events. Science is for life – not just the lab, and the festival is about living, learning and loving science.”
For a full listing of activities visit www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/community or follow on Twitter YFST2010
