Event details
See inside inventions
How did an untidy doctor change the world? Who really invented the radio? And what on earth inspired the engineers to try and build a space rocket? Join us on a trip to discover the amazing and funny stories behind some of the world’s most ground-breaking inventions! See inside inventions by Alex Frith is one of six shortlisted books for the Royal Society Young People’s Book Prize 2012. Find out more about the prize, other 2012 shortlisted books and previous winners here.
Show time: 2.40pm - 3.20pm
Sir Isaac Newton
Professional entertainer David Hall transforms himself into Sir Isaac Newton, one of the Royal Society's most famous Presidents. Take part in some of Newton's most exciting experiments and demonstrations in this high-energy, educational show.
Show times: 11.30am - 12.30pm, 1.30pm - 2.30pm and 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Slime workshop
Take a dollop of PVA, better known as glue, add some Borax with a little food colouring, and bingo - you have a stretchy, slippery, slobbery slime. Mixing the chemicals together makes the standalone polymers in PVA join together into long molecular strands. The Science Boffins will help you make a pot of your very own slime to take home with you.
Slime workshop times: 11.00am - 12.00pm and 2.00pm - 3.00pm
Plasma ball workshop
Children will come face-to-face with miniature lightning! The Science Boffins will teach you about charge and static electricity and some volunteers will be selected for a “live” experiment where the discharge is passed through your body to light up a fluorescent tube in your hand. Those who are brave enough can even experience a mini electric shock.
Plasma ball workshop times: 12.30pm - 1.30pm and 3.30pm - 4.30pm
Physics in the field
Create a mini tornado, learn how to pierce a balloon without making it burst and witness the amazing waterproof handkerchief.
Show times: all weekend
Attending this event
Admission is free. Seating for the shows and participation in the workshops will be on a first come, first served basis. Please note that at the family activities children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all times and no adults will be admitted without an accompanying child.
Enquiries: Contact the events team.