Bangor University’s Science Festival returns again this year to coincide with British Science Week!
Once again, the highly popular Hidden Worlds of Science will give young and old an opportunity for some hands-on science on Saturday 9 March between 10.30 and 3.00pm. From botanical painting for children to interactive displays by the BioComposites Centre and Treborth Botanic Garden, from the ‘spot the skull’ activity to a handwashing demo, there’ll be something for everyone!
All the interactive exhibitions including the University’s famous Natural History Museum are at the free event in the Brambell Building. All you need to do to discover more about the wonderful world of science research at Bangor University is to register to attend on the event website.
In addition to the hands-on science, the University is hosting a number of exciting talks. Having just received an Honorary Degree from Bangor, Caradog Jones, the first Welshman to summit Everest gives a talk about his experiences on the world’s highest peak, as part of his ‘Contraflow. Where to next?’ talk on Tuesday 5 March at 6.30pm in the Main Arts Building. A marine biologist who graduated from Bangor University, ‘Crag’ as he is known, has divided his career between both passions of marine biology and mountaineering.
The University is also delighted to welcome Tim Haines back to the University for a Public Lecture. A Bangor University zoology graduate, Tim Haines is a screenwriter and director and is probably best known for the innovative and ground-breaking series Walking with Dinosaurs. Come and listen to Tim’s ‘Making Monsters’ talk at 11.00 in Pontio on Saturday 9 March.
The Festival will also host the closing event for the North Wales Young Researchers Conference (NWYRC). The winners of the NWYRC competition will be announced at 3.00pm in Pontio on Saturday 9 March, with other NWYRC activities and sessions taking place before then in Penrhyn Hall.
The Science Festival also hosts the Dark Skies Eryri public lecture on Monday 11 March. Come and learn more about Eryri National Park as one of 18 International Dark Sky Reserves in the world. Check the website for location information.
Local schools have been invited to participate in the Eco-Science Day for Schools in Pontio on Friday 8 March. Aimed at Years 7 and 8, the day will include the latest eco-science research, talks and interactive stalls, demonstrations and exhibitions including Co-Lab, M-SParc, Digital Signal Processing, Robotics, Technocamps and Nuclear Futures Institute.
Also taking place in Pontio on Friday 8 March will be the ‘Inspire Inclusion – Women in Science @Bangor’ event at 1pm. The University will be celebrating International Women’s Day 2024 by taking this year’s global theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’ as an opportunity to celebrate the University’s women in science. Professor Yueng-Djern Lenn, Katie Roberts-Tyler and Kodi Edwards from will provide their thoughts and experiences, and insights into their journeys and how they are inspiring inclusion in their fields.
For a weekend activity, why not get your walking boots on to step in the footsteps of Charles Darwin on a Geology Walk to Cwm Idwal on Sunday 17 March. Professor Colin Jago from GeoMon will describe the geological features of the iconic hanging valley and how the study of Cwm Idwal by important scientists such as Charles Darwin helped to develop our understanding of geology.
To round off the festival, Steve Backshall, one of television’s best-known wildlife presenters, naturalists, writers and adventurers, and honorary lecturer at Bangor University, will provide a talk on ‘Venom; the science of terrible toxins in nature’ in Pontio on Wednesday 20 March at 5.30pm.
Professor Andrew Edwards, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Welsh Language, Civic Engagement and Strategic Partnerships) said:
“We’re delighted to open our doors and welcome the community to our perennially popular Science Festival once again, which forms part of our 140thanniversary celebrations this year. We hope that young and older people will find something to inspire them in any number of our activities.”
Professor Paul Spencer, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) commented:
“We are committed to sharing our science and enthusing the next generation of scientists- and it’s never too old to take an interest, so we hope that people of all ages will visit at least one of our Science Festival events.”
