Didsbury SciBar

Thank you to everyone who joined us in Didsbury last night to hear Fred Loebinger tell us nothing at all about the sex lives of quarks and leptons and lots about the other properties of these sub-atomic paticles. Fred did a fantastic job at highlighting the work Manchester researchers have done over (many) years in pushing the boundaries of particle physics. Those of us who were there will, I am sure, eagerly await news from CERN later on this year (before Christmas we were promised!). Will they find evidence of squarks or winos (yes, really)?

Thank you Fred and thanks to all of you who came along, carried chairs, asked questions and took lead roles as colourful quarks in the bear pit.

http://www.scibar.info/

How, where, who, when, what?

Do you think you know your neutrons from your electrons? Fancy a trip to the pub after a long day at work?
Test your knowledge at the science-themed pub quiz brought to you by the the British Science Association. Make the most of all the information your have absorbed throughout Manchester Science Festival and you could win some fabulous prizes. If you discover you aren't going to be the next Einstein, we will still be on hand to dazzle you with table-top experiments, free goodies, and of course there will be plenty of beer to help you drown your sorrows or celebrate your swattiness.
The quiz is taking place on Tuesday 27th October, from 8 pm, upstairs at Kro Bar on Oxford Road (opposite the students union). Entry is free!

Pandemic event - Monday 26 October

The recent outbreak of swine flu (H1N1) means news stories are in the papers and on our TVs every day. The number of new cases doubled last week to 53,000 and the NSH has been told to “brace itself” and prepare for increased pressure to cope. The first vaccination programme begins this week, where the first 14 million people seen as a priority, receive the new vaccine. Manchester Science Festival is holding an event, Pandemic, tomorrow at 6.30pm at the Museum of Science and Industry giving you the chance to find out more about swine flu, strategy in the North West and an opportunity to ask your questions.

Professor Joanna Verran, a microbiologist from Manchester Metropolitan University and Dr David Baxter, Lecturer in public health from the University of Manchester, will join us. This event will be chaired by Professor Michael Warbouys, from the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine.

This is your chance to find out all you want to know about pandemics and ask the experts your questions.

Pandemic
Monday 25 October, 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Museum of Science and Industry
Booking advised http://msfpandemic.eventbrite.com/, but seats available on the evening

Tick, tock, the clocks have changed.

Quick note to say the clocks have changed now winter is setting in... they've gone back an hour, so make sure you turn up to any events at the right time!

Baba Brinkman's on his way.

Here at Manchester Museum, we’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of pop rapper Baba Brinkman. Who? Come and see. He’s the only guy we know who can rap his way through thousands of years of evolution in a matter of minutes.



His movements are being tracked as we speak. He’s currently high above the sky speeding his way to the Museum and should be with us by 6pm tonight. Drinks will be available while you wait and the best bit is, it’s free.



Why not prepare yourselves for this entertaining evening and gen up on all that evolution stuff in our exhibition Charles Darwin: evolution of a scientist.



See you later in the Museum foyer at 6pm. Baba will be waiting to greet you.

Busk a Move

Warning, warning, the Manchester Science Festival Buskers have broken free and are out and about around the city spreading their fun, and a little magical brand of science.

First sightings seem to have placed the purple t-shirted ones in Piccadilly station, please feel free to approach them - they don't bite, although they may hand you a program for events occurring during the festival. So if you hear their call of straw oboes or see some balancing tricks, just head over and see if they're simple yet spectacular science can brighten your day.

Remember to keep up to date by checking our website and hearing us tweet

Planets, Stars and Space Rocks

Is there anything that you want to know about space but haven’t got anyone to ask? Come along to the Manchester Museum and ‘Ask an Astronomer’. We are going to be spending the day trawling through the universe looking at all sorts of exciting things from constellations of stars, special bits of equipment that are used by real astronauts, and rocks which have fallen to the Earth from outer space. There are going to be a number of different things happening for people of all ages including listening to sounds from space and creating your own starry myth.

Where: The Manchester Museum

When: Wednesday 28^th October, 11.00 – 4.00

Who: suitable for all ages

MSF schools programme over for another year!

We've been a bit quiet on the old blog this week as we've been at the MSF School's programme. For the last two days year 8 students have been making the loudest of noises, the grossest of slimes and the biggest of bangs at Pure nightclub and Odeon cinema at the Printworks in Manchester. It was so much fun, the kids were enthusiastic and the activities on offer were fantastic.

We had loads of hands-on fun in Speedy Science, making crafty creatures,

science busking, exploring the deep sea, racing the world's first computer, Baby, and getting on the BBC green screen. Workshops ranged from CSI to Egg crash madness. And then Steve Rossington's explosive (literally!) chemistry show, really packed a punch.

A massive thank you to those involved, especially the students for

making it such an enjoyable two days.

We'll be back with more for schools next year, but in the meantime, check out some pics on flickr and get along to the main festival programme starting on Saturday.

Does it rain more at the weekend? Help us find out!

We want you to help us investigate! Make your own rain gauge and measure rainfall in your garden during Manchester Science Festival. We need your results to find out if it really does rain more at the weekend rather than during the week.

Find out more and check out our online pack for you to measure rainfall at home and take part in our rain experiment:

http://www.manchesterrain.com/

Andy Russell who is running the experiment will then run an event at MOSI for those who want to come along to find out the results or get advice from the expert!

Manchester, the gateway to the North and beyond!

Manchester has often been considered the gateway to the North of England, but it is much more than that. It has a vast array of strong heritages, one of the first things that springs to mind is that of the Music, the city has spawned bands such as Oasis, The Stone Roses and Jay Kay of Jamiroquai, but there is more to this city than music; today marks the opening of Media City in Salford and thus brings about the future of the city as a media haven. However throughout it's history Manchester has been a world leader - whether it was in particle physics or in music, and it is this fact that the 2009 Manchester Science festival hopes to celebrate with it's events revolving around Manchesticity.

Manchester’s history though is not simply built on the back of celebrities or academics but it is steeped in the swat of it's workers; the industrial revolution shaped Manchester and it was Manchester that was at the forefront of transportation developments from railways to canals. All this history is evident today at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry.

It was with all this in mind that the 2009 Manchester Science Festival decided to make Manchesticity one of it's themes.

(image from http://north.iwm.org.uk/server/show/conMediaFile.79888)

Quiz time!

Does your local pub run a quiz? If so, we would like to make their planning easier and give them a free pack of questions.

There are a range of question rounds to allow everyone to flex their brain muscles and show off the facts that they have stored away for a rainy day. The rounds include 'All about Manchester', 'A Pub-lovers Round' and an 'Astronomical Music Round'.

If you would like to get a copy of the quiz please get in touch with Natalie Lane of the British Science Association (natalie.lane@britishscienceassociation.org).

Darwinism vs. Creationism?

Thomas Dixon will argue on Monday at the Manchester Museum, that we've become accustomed to seeing Darwinism as being fundamentally in conflict with faith. In this trailblazer for the Manchester Science Festival he will explore how conflict can arise, by unpicking the cultural, legal and political factors which have fuelled the confrontation between evolution and Christian creationism in America over the last fifty years.

This is just one of many trailblazing activities that are going on in the build up to the 2009 Manchester Science Festival; and one of a number of talks and presentations revolving around Darwin and his life and work, so check out website for more information.

Thunderbirds are....GO, well maybe but only if the science works

On Monday 26th October 2009, we discover if the vehicles of the fictional and futuristic (it was set in 2065) International Rescue would work in reality. Could Thunderbird 1 actually fly at 15000 mph, could Thunderbird 3 actually fly into space and back successfully. The only problem we have to contend with is making sure these secrets aren't exposed to the villainous Hood, but we're pretty sure our Festival Assistants could handle him if he showed up.

As well as Thunderbirds Dr Phil Atcliffe of the University of Salford,will explore the practicality, space, and air worthiness of vehicles from a number of other Sci-Fi TV series.

This event will be taking place at Deans Activity Center in Swinton from 18:00 till 20:00, and although free you'll need to book here. Don't forget this is just one of a number of events happening in Salford for the 2009 Manchester festival of Science.

Image courtesy of http://internationalrescue.tripod.com/thunderbirdsarego/id2.html

Microbe knitting patterns live!

Science and knitting?

That's right... we have a knitting event at this year's Festival. We'll be knitting microorganisms and learning about the science of swine flu, the common cold and more. If you can't make it or want to help though, we need a selection of finished products before the event for photos and as examples on the day:

Download our amazing microbe knitting patterns (PDF 2MB)

Please send your finished products to: Knitted Microbes, Manchester Science Festival, Museum of Science and Industry, Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4FP or drop them at reception with "Knitted Microbes, Manchester Science Festival" labelled on them. Be sure to include your details so we know who's helped! You can also upload your own pics to our flickr group!

MSF Science buskers at the ready...

We've been training up our fantasic, enthusiastic science buskers this week. Our volunteers, which have been recruited as Stem Ambassadors, have been getting to grips with science demonstrations and tricks to prepare themselves for science busking. We'll be getting out and about on the streets of Manchester in the weeks running up to and during the Festival to entertain the crowds and engage the unsuspecting with science.

Check out some pictures on the BBC website and keep your eyes peeled!

SCREAM AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS

The Manchester Science Festival is set to begin with a bang or should that be a screech as the interactive Scream experiment goes live tomorrow. It aims to find the best scream and also uncover why some screams may be scarier than others. Check this video our to see our Festival Director talking about the science behind the experiment, and see Kid British taking part. Keep an eye out for some press coverage tomorrow, and keep checking http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/scream

Image credit goes to www.joannebalcaen.ca/screaminggirls/

Website - new look and event listing live!

Get yourself to our new look website pronto to check out the events programme which has just gone live! Loads of events to choose from... Dr Bunhead and Nick Arnold are our headline shows for families, as well as loads of workshops, fun exhibitions and more. For adults, try a walk or two, check out some of our author talks or join in one of our many debates. There's a packed programme for the whole family. We're excited - hope you are too!

http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/

Programme going live soon!

It's all go here at MSF towers. Our full events listing will be going live on the website over the next few days and we've got a really exciting programme lined up. Keep your eyes peeled for our lovely Festival programmes around Manchester too! And a science busker or a few...

http://www.manchestersciencefestival.com/

We need you!

We are seeking volunteers to help during the Festival (24 Oct - 1 Nov) and at the Schools' Programme. Interested? More info about what opportunities are available, what to expect and how to register can be found on our volunteer pages.

Trafford Centre next week... and not for shopping!

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week we're taking science to masses at the Trafford Centre. Noisy toys will be there on Monday and Tuesday (apparently caused quite stir amongst the restaurants last year due to the noise!) and our famous science buskers will be wowing with their demos and tricks on Wednesday.

Pop along and see us at the Bandstand (next to the cinema) if you're heading that way to shop or catch a movie, or make a special visit to see us. Lots to do for kids, families and adults.

Monday 24 - Wednesday 26 August, 11am - 4pm at the Bandstand.