Science fun in the sun

So we have well and truly embarked on our summer science busking programme. Every year, the Festival team and volunteers are just itching to get out and try our science tricks and demonstrations with willing members of the public!

We were at Manchester Mega Mela at the weekend and hundreds of people were crammed into the arts and crafts tent getting henna tattoos, making hats, dancing and enjoying science! We had a few new science busks to t

ry out and the "cloud in a bottle" was definitely the crowd pleaser - it has the wow factor and everyone was so interesting in learning about the weather and clouds. Thanks to everyone who stopped by and asked loads of questions. It certainly helped us practise the new busks and we had a really fun day.

We've got a few more summer busking slots lined up at the Manchester Picnic, the Caribbean Carnival and Stockport Farmers' Market. Here's hoping it stays sunny! See you there!

The Golden Ratio: call out for submissions

A call out for submissions from artists who love science, and scientists who love art.

Nexus Art Cafe is currently accepting proposals for work exploring a crossover or relationship between science and art, to be exhibited at a showcase during Manchester Science Festival. All formats of work will be considered, from vector art to video installation, paintings to pie charts. We are interested in the ways that imagination and knowledge can work together to create something special. Brains and beauty, if you like.

The exhibition itself will run from 22nd September-20th November 2011. Closing date for submissions is Sunday 7th August.

For more information, or to submit your work, please include no more than three images and up to 500 words about your work and send to submissions@nexusartcafe.com.

Join in QR-3D

QR-3D is an experiment in textiles and digital technology.

QR codes are grid-like images used in the same way as barcodes. They can be read by mobile phones and contain text, usually an internet address.

What happens when those codes are recreated in textiles? Does the texture of the thread and fabric stop the codes from working? How far can textiles be manipulated before the functionality disappears?

QR-3D invites anyone, anywhere to join in and find out. Simply choose a website, turn it into a QR code and recreate it in textiles.

Instructions for all of these steps are included in the project's website http://www.qr-3d.weebly.com/

Some of the works created will be selected for the exhibition QR-3D, held at Cornerhouse during Manchester Science Festival.

The deadline for submitting your work is Sunday 31st July so get making.

Image: Do Androids Dream of Electronic Embroidery, Rachel Rose