With more exhibitors and visitors than ever before, Science in the Park had a bumper weekend. Visitors got hands-on with a huge range of exciting activities including scanning brains with the latest wearable technology to discovering the origins of George the gorilla and robot building.
Scientists from the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University showcased their research at ‘Science in the Park’. The free annual festival took place at Wollaton Hall during British Science Week.
Tickets for the event sold out in 48 hours, attracting 4,000 visitors. The event featured more interactive exhibits than ever, suitable for all ages, with exhibits also upstairs for the first time.
The ‘Brain Team’ from the University of Nottingham’s School of Computer Science demonstrated different types of wearable brain scanning devices. The aim was to find out how people would feel about using this new type of consumer neurotechnology.
Visitors could build their own robots in workshops by Cobot Maker Space experts, with demonstrations from special robot guests.
Nottingham Trent Univeristy engineers showed visitors how bees and butterflies see the world. Forensic science students challenged visitors to match fingerprints using different light wavelengths.
The University of Nottingham’s Life Sciences team showcased George the gorilla’s hairs under a microscope. Tom Hartman is working on a project to discover George’s origins by analyzing DNA. Using facilities at the Nanoscale and Microscale Research Centre (nmRC), he recovered four hairs from the taxidermy gorilla at Wollaton Hall and prepared them for visitors to see under the microscope.
NTU biomedical scientists demonstrated disease detection in blood and urine. Families dressed as scientists operated on a mannequin, performed lab tests, and built plasticine microbes. People learned about body cells by making cell biscuits, extracted DNA from strawberries, and explored the science of balance and strength.
Visitors also fished for “poo germs” in a ball pit pond, discovering how microbes are counted and studied in the lab.
Maria Richards, Head of Public Engagement at the University of Nottingham’s Institute for Policy and Engagement said:
“Every year we have a bigger and better offer for visitors to this popular event and our volunteers go all out to create activities that are fun, educational and engaging. It’s a great way to showcase the important research that’s happening at the city’s two universities, making it accessible, and hopefully inspiring future generations of scientists.”
Professor Kirsty Smallbone, Executive Dean for the School of Science and Technology at Nottingham Trent University, said
“It was an extremely busy and fun-filled event, and fantastic to see science and engineering presented in an accessible and hands-on way to people of all ages.”
Visitors also had the opportunity to explore the Hall, including its Natural History Museum with the Living Planet, Changing Planet, and Taxidermist’s Tale galleries.