Two free University of Southampton open days offer the chance to find out how science shapes our world – from the importance of bacteria to discoveries in the solar system and beyond.
Science and Engineering Day takes place on Saturday, March 14 at the University's Highfield campus from 10.30am to 4.30pm (last admission 4pm), with exhibitions, interactive displays, talks and shows.
It promises to be a stimulating and fun day with lots to see and get involved in for all ages, including: wearable technologies; the health of your home; landslides; the secrets of animal bones; virtual musical instruments; stem cells; knee replacements; memory loss; immune cells; and much more.
This year, there are a number of brand new activities and facilities open to the public, which will include tours of the RJ Mitchell wind tunnel, where Britain’s Olympic athletes conducted testing ahead of their Gold medal success.
As 2015 is the International Year of Light, there will be opportunities to explore the fibre-drawing towers and clean rooms, which produce the optical fibres that power the internet and global communication networks.
Visitors will be able to enjoy over 80 shows, tours and hands-on activities, including Festival favourites such as the Southampton Astrodome, the Light Express Laser Show, Railway Research laboratory and Ian B Dunne’s ‘Science Magic...Magic Science’.
2015 is also the centenary of Einstein's Theory of General Relativity, so there will be specific mathematics activities related to this, including a lecture on the Science of Stephen Hawking.
Ocean and Earth Day – April 25
Then on Saturday, April 25, Ocean and Earth Day takes place in collaboration with the National Oceanography Centre Southampton, based at Dock Gate 4 from 10.30am to 4pm (last admission 3.30pm). Among other attractions, visitors will be able to see examples of the technology needed to explore the deepest oceans, have a go at driving a mini Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and see how 3D printing and laser cutting is used to create and develop parts for these specialist vehicles.