Changing the world for 60 years: University holds Open Day to mark anniversary

Being transported to the starry skies or discovering the creatures of the deepest oceans are just some of the experiences members of the public will have at the University of Southampton’s Community Open Day.
To celebrate its 60th anniversary the University will throw its doors open on Saturday 30 June and invite people of all ages to have an exciting insight into its cutting-edge research.
Fascinating exhibitions, interactive displays, talks and shows, will line the Highfield campus from 10.30am until 4pm.

This stimulating and free event will showcase some of the University’s most successful research achievements from the past 60 years and give a variety of opportunities for people to speak to and interact with some of the world’s leading researchers. Highlights include:
- The world’s only ECS Biometric Tunnel, which will be open for people to walk through and discover their own individual ‘signature’ of the way they walk
- A showcase of examples of underwater creatures discovered on the Caribbean sea-floor
- A replica of the marble head of a statue, found near to an amphitheatre and imperial palace complex at Portus, the ancient port of Rome
- The Soton Astrodome, the University’s inflatable mobile planetarium, which will transport visitors to the stars.
In the lead up to the event more and more exhibits, experiments and games will be added, to show how each success was achieved. More information about the event and the University’s successes can be found at www.southampton.ac.uk/60
Notes for editors
More information about the highlights can be found at:
Biometric identification -
http://60.southampton.ac.uk/innovations-in-biometric-identification/44
Creatures of the deep -
http://60.southampton.ac.uk/worlds-most-extreme-deep-sea-vents-revealed/28
Portus -
http://60.southampton.ac.uk/unearthing-the-ancient-port-of-rome/17
Star gazing -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRpgLxIZVK4&feature=youtu.be