High-tech facilities that have never been seen by the public will be opening their doors for the first time at this year’s science festival at the University of Southampton, with the family-focused Science and Engineering Day on Saturday, March 15.

 

The university’s μ-VIS X-Ray Imaging Centre, which houses some of the UK’s most powerful X-ray scanners, will be open to the public for the first time, along with a smart fibre optic high power photonics lab, and a chemical engineering lab.

Touring these facilities – along with others such as the 140-metre-long towing tank, a flight simulator, and the high spec wind tunnel – will be possible at the annual family-friendly Science and Engineering Day at the university’s Highfield and Boldrewood campuses.

The much-loved ‘Toastrack’ 1929 Dennis bus, pictured, which has been owned and maintained by University of Southampton students and alumni since 1958, will be shuttling visitors between the two campuses.

Other highlights at Science and Engineering Day include a teddy bear hospital, build a bat box, an inflatable planetarium, two escape rooms, and video otoscopy to see your ear drum up close.

Light display, photographed in 2024

The day forms part of the 10-day Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF), which will be the biggest ever this year with over 160 activities for the public.

Events in the run-up to Science and Engineering Day on 15 March include:

• Screening of the film Creation followed by a talk by Dr Neil Gostling, Associate Professor in Paleobiology, on Charles Darwin and evolution, on Tuesday 11 March
• A free vegan buffet at an event exploring the university’s sustainability ambitions, on Wednesday 12 March
• An illustrated talk by Dr Simon Boxall on myths and legends of the deep ocean, on Thursday 13 March
• The Composting Heap: a discussion group about chickens as animals and as food, on Friday 14 March.

Visit the Science and Engineering Day website for the full programme and to book free tickets. And visit the wider SOTSEF website for information and tickets to events throughout the festival.

Photos: University of Southampton