Stars of Robot Wars in Southampton for Science Week
Stars of TV's Robot Wars will be fighting for attention at this year's Science Week Family Day at the University of Southampton.
The Plunderbird Boyz and the Bigger Brother team, seeded number 2 in the UK, will be at the event at the Boldrewood campus on Saturday 8 March, which will also feature experiments and educational activities for the whole family. There will also be a guest appearance by The Dalek from the feature film Devious.
The entertainment of Family Day is just one of the attractions of Science Week (7-16 March) aimed at showcasing the University's activities and achievements right across the spectrum of science and engineering from chemistry and maths to medicine, earth sciences and technology. Links between the different aspects of science will be specially emphasised this year.
Professor Joe Hammond, Dean designate of the new Faculty of Engineering, Science and Mathematics, is looking forward to the week. He said: "One of the main aims of Science Week is to enthuse young people in science and engineering. The University plays a major role in Southampton and the surrounding communities and I am keen that we get out into the community to demonstrate our activities and help engage this generation and the next to be the scientists and engineers of tomorrow. It is important for youngsters to see both the enjoyment and involvement of the work, as well as the dedication needed."
The Southampton Oceanography Centre will also host an open day on Saturday, 15 March.
In addition, a series of evening lectures throughout the week will cover topics as diverse as fossils and feathered dinosaurs from China, the history and future of the Universe, the battle against brain disorders, and biomathematics and cryptography. Entry is free and all talks are suitable for ages 14+.
Professor Hammond added: "We are very interested and active in helping school teachers make science related subjects more interesting and relevant to today, and we work closely with schools to do this. With so many choices of careers we also recognise that it is helpful for parents to have a wider insight into our fields of activities. That is why we are actively engaged in activities like Science Week - and why not have fun at the same time?"
Notes for editors
The University of Southampton is a leading UK teaching and research institution with a global reputation for leading-edge research and scholarship. The University, which celebrated its Golden Jubilee in 2002, has 20,000 students and over 4,500 staff and plays an important role in the City of Southampton. Its annual turnover is in the region of £235 million.