This year’s Sidmouth Science Festival, now in its 5th year, is fast approaching, running from Friday 7th to Sunday 16th of October with over 50 events in and around town.
Being on the Jurassic Coast means that geoscience is always well represented. This year there is a dinosaur theme with Prof Don Porcelli talking about the “Origins of Planet Earth”, Professor Mike Benton FRS giving a talk on “Fossil reptiles of Devon and the world’s greatest mass extinction” and a visit from the rather large Iguanodon! and dinosaur footprints. This is followed by a Geospectacular on Saturday 15th October.
The main events of the week include Science on the Prom on Sunday 8th October with drop-in workshops and talks which reflect the sea front and well-being as well as competitions, hopefully a tug of war!
Tuesday 11th October is Ada Lovelace Day so the speakers are both female with the Cafe Scientifique in the afternoon with Liz O’Driscoll from Exeter City Futures speaking about Innovating the Future and at 7:30pm Dr Jacqueline Christmas from the University of Exeter will be giving a talk on Artificial Intelligence at the Norman Lockyer Observatory.
On Thursday 13th October Simon Singh MBE, well-known from his appearance in the Simpsons, will be talking about his works in a talk entitled, “From theorems to serums, from cryptology to cosmology…. and the Simpsons.”
Super Science Saturday is on 15th October when the town is abuzz with all things scientific. Kennaway House is the hub with the schools’ art gallery, knitting, animation workshop and the visiting Iguanodon, whilst spread throughout the town, hidden away in many different venues it is possible to discover how your brain reacts to wave power, how candy pops and many other things. Entertainment this year comes in the form of “Taste! an evening of sensory experiences,” with the Fun Kitchen, wine tasting and more weird things to test out your senses.
The Norman Lockyer Observatory will host the family fun day on Sunday 16th October with the now famous jet car races, robots, rockets, preschool fun and technology workshop as well as planetarium talks, storytelling and lots to do and make.
As well as these public events the science festival is providing hands on activities in many schools and colleges in the area. These range from building a trebuchet to wildlife activity workshops.
These are only some of the events planned for the week. Add in more walks and talks, a visit to a brewery, art exhibitions, film shows and much more and you will be busy all week.
Visit our new website www.sidmouthsciencefestival.org for more details and how to book for some events.
