The Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity, which took place this year 7-16 February, was a fantastic, engaging and memorable experience for all involved! The response from participants, partners, venues and volunteers has been overwhelmingly positive, with many participants sharing their excitement about being able to reconnect with science and praising the festival for engaging the people of Nottinghamshire with science in a fun hands-on way. Highlights from this year’s festival include:
The Real Science in Schools Symposium
On Thursday 10 February, a showcase of science research from the schools we’ve worked with over the past year took place at the Council House, including the presentation of CREST award certificates and an opportunity to see what research has been happening in schools and at local universities. This year, pupils were joined by Robin, a humanoid robot created by the University of Nottingham’s Cobot Maker Space to collaborate with humans in social settings and the Sheriff of Nottingham, Councillor Merlita Bryan. The Management Committee from Lab_13 at Irchester Community Primary School in Northamptonshire, and their Scientist in Residence Kristina Castle also joined us.
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- Pupils receiving CREST awards
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- Pupils exploring researchers’ equipment
The Curiosity Show
This year’s Notts TV programme, The Curiosity Show, ran from 4-5pm each evening from Monday 7 – Friday 11 February and featured live demonstrations, interviews and try-at-home activities, as well as pre-recorded content from schools the festival worked with and videos created by students/volunteers. The show reached audiences across Nottinghamshire, receiving a total of 10,200 views. You can watch all episodes of The Curiosity Show with closed captions on the Festival’s YouTube Channel.
The Garden of Just Because
The Festival’s Artist in Residence for 2020-21, Roma Patel, created an interactive installation for young children inspired by the microscopic view of a garden which included mushrooms, fungi, and mycelium. Families were invited to interact with the installation and get hands on making clay mushrooms.
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- Children exploring the mycelium networks across the soil floor
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- Child reaching for the giant chanterelle mushroom
Events and workshops across the county
People across Nottinghamshire were able to participate in 53 public events – from making and launching their very own rocket to making a virus to creating their own apps and much more!
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- Rocket making
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- Dissecting a seed bomb
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- Creating a 3D model of antibodies
Festival Magazine
The second edition of the festival magazine was a tremendous hit, featuring articles, puzzles, activities, and experiments for the whole family to enjoy. Confetti Institute of Creative Design students once again produced the magazine, which was copy-edited by year 7 pupils from The Wells Academy.
Many thanks to all of the partners, venues, volunteers and interns who contributed to the success of the festival this year, we are already looking forward to #FOSAC23, which will take place 6 – 17 February 2023! Our Call for Contributors will open again in September, and the programme will be announced in January, but for any enquiries in the meantime, please get in touch with the team: [email protected]
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