Sidmouth Science Festival – Explore, Learn, and Be Inspired
Sidmouth has been playing host to its own Science Festival since 2012 and now runs across ten days starting on Friday 10th October with a multi media exploration of life beneath the waves followed by Super Science Saturday on 11th which features activities and workshops for families and individuals of all ages and many of the events are free, meaning everyone can join in!
So whatever scientific field you’re interested in, make sure to visit the Sidmouth Science Festival for hours of entertaining talks and workshops covering everything from dinosaurs to rockets, lights to weather and even jet cars!
Celebrate science in Sidmouth!
The Science Festival takes place in October every year, and the week-long event incorporates Ada Lovelace Day, an international celebration of women's achievements in science. If this wasn’t enough, there are projects and demonstrations taking place in schools, colleges, and venues throughout the town, allowing those who enjoy serious science talks and fun hands-on activities alike.
One venue that hosts workshops and events is the Norman Lockyer Observatory, which has stood in the town since the 1900s. The building takes its name from Norman Lockyer, an amateur astronomer who, during the Victorian era, discovered the element Helium and was one of the founders of a popular science journal. Throughout his long and varied career, he became director of the Solar Physics Observatory in South Kensington, London. He was the first professor in Astronomical Physics in what is now the Royal College of Science. He was knighted in 1897 and retired to Sidmouth, where the observatory now stands. The Norman Lockyer Observatory allows guests and locals to continue to take part in amateur astronomy. The observatory features several historic and modern telescopes, a planetarium, and numerous other fascinating exhibits, making it the ideal venue for the annual Science Festival.
Fascinating guest talks
Throughout its run, Sidmouth Science Festival has attracted a wide range of fascinating scientists who come to the town to run workshops and give talks in their chosen fields. Talks this year include an afternoon of The Future of Ageing: Living Better, Living Younger, a Cafe Scientifique about Sports Engineering, an evening of Understand Cybercrime and Stay Safe Online. Other talks include Sid Valley Trees and Landscape Recovery in East Devon, Science in the Pub and 2 book talks to challenge conventional thinking.
On Saturday, the 18th, there is a Robot Workshop and a Biodiversity Day. And finally, the Family Day at the Norman Lockyer Observatory on Sunday 19th.
There’s lots to do, so check out the website for more details and come along and have some fun learning about science.
Can’t make it to this year’s Festival? Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean your trip to Sidmouth has to be free of scientific discovery and discussion. Throughout the year, the team behind the Science Festival run the Café Scientifique, which meets once a month to listen to speakers from the world of science. Find out more about Sidmouth Science Festival, including the latest programme, dates and venues online at sidmouthsciencefestival.org
