Sidmouth Science Festival is enjoying a successful year, with enthusiastic audiences turning out for events across its ten-day programme. A particular highlight has been Super Science Saturday on 10 October, which attracted more than 1,000 visitors, mostly families, enjoying a wide range of free science activities in town centre venues.
Talks have also proved particularly popular, and organisers are advising people to arrive early to ensure they get a place at events during the festival’s final few days.
There is still plenty to look forward to, with a varied programme of talks, workshops and family activities until Sunday 18 October.
Friday begins with a talk, The Secret Lives of Bees: Honey, Foraging and Conservation at 2.30pm at Kennaway House, followed at 7.30pm by Hunting the Higgs, an interactive comedy show for adults. Featuring audience participation, scientific discovery and plenty of humour, the evening event includes some adult humour and language.
Saturday brings a full day of hands-on robotics at the free Robot Workshop, All Saints Church Hall, with opportunities for all ages to explore many robot-related activities. In the afternoon there are three marine-life themed talks at Kennaway House starting at 2pm.
The festival concludes on Sunday 18 October with the Family Fun Day at the Norman Lockyer Observatory, from 11am to 4pm. Families can enjoy astronomy and hands-on activities, with a programme of fascinating talks covering subjects including planet-forming discs, the search for new worlds, weather forecasting and space weather. Under-18s go free, while adult admission is £15. Advance booking is advised but not essential.
With so many events made possible through sponsorship and the support of the community, organisers are appealing to visitors to make a donation if they can. Although many festival events are free to attend, there are substantial costs involved in bringing speakers, activities and experiences to Sidmouth. Donations help cover these costs and ensure the festival can continue to inspire curiosity and make science accessible to the community in years to come.
Donations can be made by cash or card at festival venues, or at any time through the website: www.sidmouthsciencefestival.
With fascinating science, family fun and entertaining events still to come, everyone is encouraged to join in, arrive early for popular talks and help support the future of Sidmouth Science Festival.
For the full programme and booking information, visit www.sidmouthsciencefestival.