University of Leicester: British Science Week in Leicester, 9 to 18 March

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British Science Week in Leicester from 9 March to 18 March offers galaxy of events for all the family

LEICESTER, 01-Mar-2018 — /EuropaWire/ — For an out-of-this-world experience in Leicester – head over to the spectacular array of events being held as part of British Science Week in March.

There’s a giant moon for a start – the Festival sponsored by the University of Leicester literally kicks-off with a huge recreation of our nearest neighbour, which will be hanging in Leicester Cathedral for the duration of the festival.

Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon is a new touring artwork by UK artist Luke Jerram.

Measuring seven metres in diameter, the moon features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. At an approximate scale of 1:500,000, each centimetre of the internally lit spherical sculpture represents 5km of the moon’s surface.

Also as part of the festival of science, the University is hosting a talk by BBC star and renowned geneticist Adam Rutherford on 12 March. Known for presenting numerous television and radio shows, most notably BBC Inside Science on Radio 4, Adam’s entertaining talk will be about his latest book A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived. To attend: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/adam-rutherford-a-brief-history-of-everyone-who-ever-lived-tickets-42673502595

Professor Turi King, Professor of Public Engagement, said: “We are inviting people to share with us the wonder of science and its ability to excite and inspire. A wide range of venues are coming together to play host to some fantastic scientific showcases.

“This year’s theme is discover and explore and that’s exactly what we’re asking people to do – there is so much on offer over two weeks celebrating science, technology, engineering and maths.”

Leicester Cathedral, the Highcross Shopping Centre, the National Space Centre, Abbey Pumping Station, Newarke House, the Richard III Visitor Centre, BBC Radio Leicester and the University of Leicester are among the venues for the events that include:

Opening event: Luke Jerram’s Museum of the Moon:https://www.lukejerram.com/museum-of-the-moon/

Friday 9 March – 6.30-8pm. Leicester Cathedral (currently sold out but we will be releasing more tickets closer to the event)

University of Leicester Planetarium

9-12 March. Leicester Cathedral
School visits and open sessions, visit our web pages to find out more.

Leicester Discovered

Friday 9 March Highcross Beacons/BBC Radio Leicester
The announcement of the winners of a school science poster competition

Brief Encounters

9-30 March. Newarke House
An exhibition showcasing collaborations between artists and scientists.

Science in the Shopping Centre

11am-5pm Sunday 11 March. Highcross Shopping Centre
Displays and demonstrations of the best of Leicester science.

Richard III Women Scientists

Monday 12-Thursday 15 March. Richard III Visitor Centre
Offering school students the chance to hear from the scientists who analysed King Richard III’s remains, including our own Professor Turi King.

Adam Rutherford: BBC Inside Science

Monday 12 March. Peter Williams Lecture Theatre, University of Leicester
BBC star and geneticist Adam Rutherford gives an exclusive talk. Book your place now.

Question Time! Space

10.30am Tuesday 13 March. BBC Radio Leicester
Our panel of experts take your questions live on BBC Radio Leicester.

Faith in Science

7-8.30pm Wednesday 14 March. Leicester Cathedral
Leaders from across the city discuss what happens when science and religion cross over. Book your free tickets now.

London Concertente

7.30-9.30pm Friday 16 March Leicester Cathedral
A performance of Bach’s Concertos under the Museum of the Moon. Tickets available here.

British Science Week at the Abbey Pumping Station

Saturday 17 March. Abbey Pumping Station
This city event sees a huge range of family-friendly activities.

National Space Centre

9-18 March
The National Space Centre will be running events throughout the fortnight from a 10k virtual ‘space race’ to displays on Leicester’s role in space exploration.

You can link to the full programme of events here: www.le.ac.uk/science-week

British Science Week, run by the British Science Association is a celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths, featuring entertaining and engaging events and activities across the UK for people of all ages. The campaign provides a platform to stimulate and support teachers, STEM professionals, science communicators and the general public to produce and participate in STEM events and activities across the UK. Last year, over 230 events, reaching nearly 1 million participants, took place across the UK.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information contact Professor Turi King on tek2@leicester.ac.uk