The BA Festival of Science Liverpool, 6-11 September 2008

The BA Festival of Science is coming to Liverpool from 6-11 September, bringing over 350 of the UK’s top scientists and engineers to discuss the latest developments in science with the public. There are around 150 events to chose from, taking place across Liverpool and beyond.

From the latest research news and debates about the most topical and challenging issues of our time, to science musicals, exhibitions and hands-on entertainment, the Festival provides an opportunity to meet and talk with many stimulating and entertaining scientists, journalists, authors and artists.

To kick it all off, we have our family weekend ‘Science Explosion at the World Museum’ to be opened by TV personality Adam Hart-Davis with hands- on fun and activities for all.
Ever wanted to run faster than a speeding bullet, curious if robots have feelings of their own or know how txt messages can solve crimes? Come along and find out the answers to such questions as well as getting involved in exhibitions and performances in and around Liverpool helping to stimulate your minds and be excited by science.

There is also the chance to discuss current hot topics, enjoy some unique street theatre from the Science Butlers, find out about the science of superheroes, use poetry to communicate the impact of climate change on biodiversity, and join best-selling crime authors and top forensic experts to discover the science behind the stories.

Learn all about the science of sport and how to bend it like Beckham, join us in debate about the use of technology in sport and whether it is starting to outweigh natural talent. Discover if life is really out there, go on the search for extraterrestrial life, or find out what role science has to play in culture. All this and much, much more…

This is just a handful of the 150 events happening this September. With events ranging from topics on astronomy, to the food we eat to events on science and culture the BA festival of science is a must for all giving you the opportunity to question top scientists, and find how science can make a difference to your lives.

For more information please visit www.the-ba.net/festivalofscience or ring 020 7019 4947. Pick and book your events, and be prepared to be entertained, intrigued and amazed by science. We hope to see you there…

Find us on facebook http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=6254449274 or join our blog: http://bafestivalofscience.blogspot.com/

Maths made interesting...

Not my phrase btw! Radio4's Today programme had this on yesterday:-

Maths has long been associated with difficult school lessons and dreary household calculations, but for Rob Eastaway, author of How Many Socks Make a Pair, this does not have to be the case. See if you can answer his surprisingly interesting maths puzzles.

The BA Festival of Science...

... is coming to Liverpool.

... happens 6-11 September.

... now has a blog!

Science GCSE

So it's not a festival but it's an issue that comes up a lot when we're talking about science learning. Should students who do well in science at 14 have the right to take GCSEs in three separate science subjects? Should we make all students study "science" GCSE which includes parts of Physics, Chemistry and Biology or is a new award which focuses on the scientific method what we need to create a scientifically literate society?

The CBI thinks that all pupils who do well in their Science SAT at 14 should be offered the chance to study three separate sciences at GCSE (read the article here). I think this is a great idea, but I'm not sure how they're going to get enough specialist teachers or make schools change their timetables to fit in more science lessons.

"Celebrating Science as Culture"

This Science article captures some of what we're trying to do in our own humble way here in Manchester. OK, so we're not the World Science Festival, with their scale, ticket prices or Disney Imagineers (!), but we are at least trying to do the same thing - get science put alongside the rest of popular culture to allow people to interact and be inspired.

The other good thing to note is that even Lawrence Krauss struggles with my ever-burning question - it might all be good fun, but where's the science?

facebook

Yep, we've got a Manchester Science Festival facebook group now, so come on over and join us...

Big Science Read

The site's live and voting's begun - and any day now the BSR events list will go up there too. Check back soon!

Programming and design

Yep you've guessed it - July's silence till now means that we're deep in the process of finalising the programme and passing it to the web and print designers. No mean feat when you're talking about 30 partner venues, 150+ events and what feels like hundred of logos, images, etc.

Of course the programme will eventually go public - we'd think it's likely to be September sometime, but watch this space.