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Overview

Family activities as part of the 2012 Summer Science Exhibition 

Activities are also taking place on Sunday 8 July

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.