Life

Northern Ireland Science Festival is back a bang

The second Northern Ireland Science Festival is back a bang – as well, most probably, as some fizzles, plenty of pops and a lot of spooky-looking smoke – later this month. Jenny Lee picks out some family friendly highlights from its packed programme

There will be lotions, potions and explosions aplenty at this month's NI Science Festival
There will be lotions, potions and explosions aplenty at this month's NI Science Festival There will be lotions, potions and explosions aplenty at this month's NI Science Festival

IGNITING a spark in a young mind, enthusing future generations about the potential of science and technology and having fun. These are just some of the aims of the Northern Ireland Science Festival, which runs in various venues across the north from February 18 to 28.

From the science behind Luke Skywalker's 'lightsabre' or Doctor Who's iconic 'sonic screwdriver' to discovering how to survive an apocalypse and participating in a global experiment, the 11-day festival features more than 120 entertaining and informative events – a showcase for the wonders of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (Stem).

Last year's inaugural festival incorporated attracted more than 50,000 people and the 2016 event promises to be bigger and better with the very best of local and international talent across all things Stem-related.

"The Science Festival is about entertaining but it is also about celebrating our unique heritage in Northern Ireland. One of our aims is to promote knowledge and understanding of Stem to a wider audience and also to encourage young people to explore the fantastic opportunities arising through Stem careers," says festival chairwoman Dr Liz Conlon.

On the daytime programme are workshops, talks and interactive activities for young people, parents and schools exploring the science of food, music, art and sport. In the evenings the festival will come alive with an eclectic mix of scientific debates, talks, theatre, comedy, music and film for adults

One of the legacies of last year's festival was setting a Guinness World Record, when 1,339 local schoolchildren took part in the biggest ever science lesson; this year the festival is inviting schools, community groups and families to be among thousands of students from around the world collaborating in the 2016 Royal Society of Chemistry's Global Experiment.

Check out our family friendly pick of the Northern Ireland Science Festival:

LOTIONS, POTIONS & EXPLOSIONS

Ulster Museum, Belfast, February 20

Be prepared for lots of audience participation, explosions, mess and fun as Scientific Sue experiments with the contents of your kitchen cupboards. She also has a naughty side, so if you want someone to leave smelling bad or if you would like to have someone exploded, come along and find out how.

SCIENCE OF THE SEA

Titanic Belfast, February 20-21 and 27-28

Visitors can delve under the sea and find out more about how marine creatures live by meeting biologists who use computer technology to track and measure how animals move. They can feel some of our amazing marine life in he Loughs Agency’s Riverwatch's touch tank, investigate the uses of seaweed with Ulster Wildlife’s seaweed hand spa, learn about the RSPB’s nature reserve and join the Ocean Exploration Centre’s crew in the experiments and demonstrations which explain some of the fascinating science behind how our oceans operate.

EXPLODING CUSTARD

Ebrington Square, Derry, February 27

The Experimental Kitchen in Derry will open the door to the science of food and teach some neat cooking tricks on the way. This project will look at experiments with thickening, fixing, gelling and molecular cooking – employing techniques such as air and foam.

THE SCIENCE OF STAR WARS

The Black Box, Belfast, February 28,

Star Wars conjures up images of spaceships, super-weapons, and all sorts of vision of the future. Join author Mark Brake and Science Rapper Jon Chase as they probe the frontier between movie magic and cutting-edge science in a high energy session for all the family.

SCIENCE ACCORDING TO ADVENTURE TIME

Strand Arts Centre, Belfast, February 20

The American television series Adventure Time airs in Belfast with an eclectic mixture of characters who champion the role of science during their crazy adventures. After the illustrated talk and screening, a special animation with Adventure Time characters will be created.

PHYSICS BUSKING

St George's Market, Belfast, February 21

Visitors to Belfast's St George's Market will be entertained and amazed by the sights and tricks of a team of science graduates from The Institute of Physics who will use everyday objects to open up a world of curiosity and understanding. Participants are encouraged to join exploring the realms of invisible forces and remarkable matter.

WHAT'S A MILLIPEDE MADE FROM?

Ulster Museum, Belfast, February 19

Elements are the building blocks of everything that exists, including you. So millipedes, insects, spiders and reptiles are made from elements – but are they the same elements that make up you? Karl from EcoMantella will show you some of his wide collection of live animals to help you find out what you have in common with insects.

LIFE AS AN ASTRONAUT

Armagh Planetarium, February 18-20

Do you know what it takes to become an astronaut? How has life changed from the early Apollo missions to the current missions to the International Space Station? What does space food taste like? Can you have a bath in space? What will happen to the future explorers, will it be possible to actually live on Mars?

You can find out the answers to these questions and more at the Armagh Planetarium’s Life as an Astronaut workshop running throughout the day.

:: For a full programme of events and tickets visit nisciencefestival.com