A giant planetarium, mock crime scene investigation, a special lecture by a TV wildlife expert and the chance to get up close with some reptiles are just some of the activities planned by the University of Lincoln as part of a national festival of science.
National Science and Engineering Week (NSEW) from 14th to 23rd March is a ten-day nationwide celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths, with events and activities aimed at people of all ages.
The University of Lincoln is opening its doors to the public, with a variety of activities on offer for anyone with an interest in science.
Organiser Dr Ciara Casey, from the School of Life Sciences, said: “The University of Lincoln has a world-class reputation for innovation and scientific enterprise. Our ever expanding College of Science is testament to the quality of academic research being undertaken in this area, and we are delighted to be a part of National Science and Engineering Week.”
The Polestar Planetarium offers an exciting exploration of the Cosmos, with specialist projectors creating a 360 degree, hemispherical image of the night sky and large, hi-resolution NASA images. Based in the Main Administration Building of the Brayford Campus, there will be five presentations available to book on to every day between 17th to 21st March.
TV presenter and naturalist Chris Packham will be visiting the University to host an exclusive question and answer session for students and staff, followed by a public lecture which was fully booked within hours.
An Interactive Science Zone will run from 2pm to 6pm on 19th March, with activities and stands providing a great opportunity for families and schools to explore science in a friendly atmosphere.
As part of this a crime scene tent and forensic table will enable visitors to carry out their own fingerprinting, examine real human bones and discover the life that lives in your teeth!
Also putting in an appearance is ERWIN the ‘friendly robot’ as well as live dog training sessions, animal skulls and fossils displays and interactive chemistry and ecology activities.
On 20th March come and see our red-footed tortoises for a hands-on workshop looking at how these reptiles understand the world around them.
Public lectures include the consequences of training pet dogs with electronic collars and the life and love of black grouse, the successful evolution of a group of South American lizards and how male grouse have evolved to contend with the demands of the female of their species!
Academics will also be out and about in schools, delivering master classes in Engineering, Forensic Science and Chemistry.
To book a place for the Polestar Planetarium please call 01522 837100 or e-mailevents@lincoln.ac.uk
To book on or to find out more about any of the other events and activities, please contact us on 01522 835388 or e-mail ccasey@lincoln.ac.uk
For more information on when and where each activity is taking place go to http://ow.ly/udgaS