Bringing science to life for all the family
A cycling legend, supersonic car, vegetable orchestra and a 2.4m walk through an inflatable colon are just some of the highlights of the University of Southampton’s Science and Engineering Day and Ocean and Earth Day, which are back again in 2012 for National Science and Engineering Week (9 to 18 March).
The University’s Science and Engineering Day takes place at the Highfield campus on Saturday 10 March, with fascinating exhibitions, interactive displays, talks and shows from 10.30am to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm).
This stimulating and fun day is free and will be full of opportunities for children of all ages to get direct experience of science across six different zones and three special activity and show areas. New for this year -
- View a full-size model of the Bloodhound Supersonic Car - a massive 13.5 metres long – which is aiming to break the land speed record. As well as the car, visitors can view one of the EJ200 jet engines that will power the car up to 1000mph and have a go at the Bloodhound Driving Experience, a special computer game developed to enable players to experience what it is like driving at 1000mph.
- The Mind Zone will allow visitors to discover how their brain works through a number of activities, including the Secret Nostalgia Den where visitors take a trip down memory lane and experience the power of nostalgia with your own fond memories.
Professor William Powrie, Dean of the University’s Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, comments: “One of the aims of the University’s yearly involvement in National Science and Engineering Week is to inspire young people’s interest in these fascinating subjects and demonstrate just how exciting they can be. I really hope that these events spark enthusiasm and prove influential in persuading many of the children to choose science or engineering as a career.”
Ocean and Earth Day will be held at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (through Dock Gate 4) on Saturday 17 March from 10.30am to 4pm (last admission 3.30pm). Visitors will learn about the impact of the oceans on the climate of our planet and can visit the aquarium, operate an underwater vehicle, take a close look at fossils and sea life, take part in a range of exciting hands-on activities and even get the chance to visit a working research vessel - RV Callista. New for 2012 is a mobile planetarium showing 3D visualisations of our underwater environment.
To conclude this year’s Science and Engineering Week, cycling legend Chris Boardman will give a free public lecture ‘The Science Behind Cycling’ at the University’s Highfield campus on Saturday 17 March at 6pm.
To book a place at the lecture and for more information on Science and Engineering Week events, please visit www.southampton.ac.uk/scienceweek