The University of Southampton’s award–winning Science and Engineering Day and Ocean and Earth Day are back again in 2011 for National Science and Engineering Week (11 to 20 March).
The University of Southampton and National Oceanography Centre at the Southampton waterfront campus are celebrating this exciting occasion with a variety of free events.
The University’s Science and Engineering Day, which was voted the UK’s best engineering event during Science and Engineering Week in 2009, takes place at the Highfield campus on Saturday 12 March, with fascinating exhibitions, interactive displays, talks and shows from 10.30am to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm).
This stimulating and fun day will be full of opportunities for children of all ages to get direct experience of science across six different zones: Technology, Life, Transport, Construction, Light, and Chemistry. There will be something for everyone including:
- Pilot the Airbus A380 super jet in the flight simulator;
- How fast can you go? Test your skilful driving through waves on a fast craft simulator;
- Watch a rocket-powered model of the Bloodhound SSC car, which is aiming to break the world land speed record by achieving 1,000mph;
- Learn how to recognise, diagnose and treat illness on a state-of-the-art simulated mannequin, just be careful not to make him cry;
- Blow cubic bubbles, if you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of the mysterious and magical world of ‘Sud’s Law’;
- Learn how maritime archaeologists work and uncover shipwrecks, submerged ancient landscapes and ditched military aircraft from WWII;
- Perform in the vegetable orchestra and make flutes out of carrots, trumpets out of broccoli and shakers out of peppers;
- Experience the magic of science at Ian B. Dunne’s ‘Science Magic…Magic Science’ show.
Ocean and Earth Day will be held at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton (through Dock Gate 4) on Saturday 19 March from 10.30am to 4pm (last admission 3.30pm). Ocean and Earth Day 2011 comes at the start of Climate Week, the UK’s first week dedicated to understanding and tackling climate change. Visitors will learn about the impact of the oceans on the climate of our planet and can visit the aquarium, operate an underwater vehicle, take a close look at fossils and sealife, take part in a range of exciting hands-on activities and even get the chance to visit a working research vessel – RV Callista.
For more information on these and other National Science and Engineering Week events, please visit http://southampton.likn.co/schoolsandcolleges/scienceweek/index.shtml