Thanks everyone!
It’s that time of year again – the Science Festival has been and gone! It was brilliant to see the approximately 35,000 of you who joined us to celebrate science! We would especially like to thank the 1,000+ volunteers who gave up their time to help with everything from set-up for events and demonstrations, to providing information at events, and to giving the events themselves. Without them the Science Festival just would not be feasible. It was also a special pleasure to work with our Guest Director, Robin Ince. We hope you all enjoyed his hilarious, yet thought-provoking events as much as we did!
Although we are still analysing Festival feedback, what we have been through already has been overwhelmingly positive! Audiences have referred to the Festival as being “entertaining and inspirational” as well as talks being “dynamic and compelling”, which makes us immensely proud.
Our family events that took place on the 17th and 24th March were very popular. Despite the rather wet conditions on the 17th, we were pleased to see so many people turn out to take part in all of our activities. From Biology Zone in the Arts Schools to the Chemistry Open Day on Lensfield Road, we loved to see everyone get involved with the hands on activities and talks that were on offer. We were especially happy that the Extreme Sports Battle was able to take place regardless of conditions. The conditions at the West Cambridge Site, however, couldn’t have been better. To see so many people turn out and take part in the maths, physics, computer sciences and engineering events that were on offer was very gratifying and we think everyone had a splendid time!
Beyond the main weekends of the Festival, we were delighted so many of you turned up for our evening lecture series. Events like Understanding Excess, Flipnosis and Jim Al-Khalili’s talk: ‘On the Shoulders of Eastern Giants’ were packed full, and we have had feedback from speakers who were very pleased to see such attentive and engaged audiences!
Shelley Bolderson, the Science Festival Co-ordinator, had this to say when we asked her about how she felt now that the Festival is over:
“I’d just like to thank everyone involved with the Festival first of all, from the event co-ordinators who have been working on events for months, to the demonstrators within the University, to the members of the public who gave up their time to help out – you guys are awesome! It was great to see so many people getting involved with the Festival, despite the crummy weather! Working with Robin [Ince] was just such fun, and Show and Tell was one of my favourite events. It was great to see members of the public turn up and discuss things they felt were interesting – it was completely unexpected! Another particular favourite of mine was Gastronauts Live – it was such great fun for all involved! The challenge for us now is to make next year’s Festival even better – I can’t wait!”
So from us at the Cambridge Science Festival, thank you all once again for taking part – we hope to see you again next year!