Cornish children get hands-on with academia at Science in the Square

Scientists from The University of Exeter’s Penryn Campus will be deliberating and discussing at the Science in the Square event on Friday, August 12th. The free event gives families the opportunity to get hands-on with science through games, crafts and interactive events.

The popular event, which is part of Falmouth Week, takes place in Events Square between 12 and 4pm. As well as a series of interactive talks from experts from the University, there will also be a host of demonstrations, activities and interactive zones for children of all ages.

The talks, all based on the theme ‘What If’, will focus on dinosaurs, the moon, bees and people helping each other. Questions will include what if dinosaurs still existed or there was no moon? As well as sharing their enthusiasm for their research, experts will be on hand to answer any questions visitors may have over the course of the afternoon.

There will also be seven, interactive zones to explore including the Bone Zone, where visitors will have an opportunity to examine animals’ skulls, The Marine Zone which will give people the opportunity to come face-to-face with wild animals, and the Earth Zone. There will also be opportunities for visitors to get creative in Craft Zone, have their faces painted and have a go on the free bouncy castle.

Dr Sarah Hodge, Senior Lecturer in Zoology at the University of Exeter Penryn Campus, said: “Have you ever wondered how different our world would be like if humans didn't help each other? This year at Science in the Square we are going to explore some big scientific questions that have contributed to the way our world functions the way it does today, as well as have some hands on, scientific fun.

“Science in the Square gives us the opportunity to encourage and inspire people of all ages to find out more about science. It also provides us with a way to give something back to the local community that supports us in so many ways.”

Science in the Square will provide everyone, particularly children, with the opportunity to become scientists for the day as well as learn more about the amazing science taking place at the Penryn Campus.

What’s on at Science in the Square:

Short talks by our scientists:

12:30 What if there were no bees?
Bees are nature’s unsung heroes and are vital pollinators for our food chain. Dr Ros Shaw studies the relationship between plants and insects, and how bees affect the food we eat.

13:30 What if there was no moon?
Dr Jamie Shutler is an ocean scientist who uses satellites and computers to investigate the sea. He will talk about how the moon helps animals to navigate, how it controls the tides in our oceans, and even how it influences our weather!

14:30 What if dinosaurs still existed?
Dr Alex Thornton is an animal behaviour expert- he studies the way that animals think and learn. He will talk about how different our daily lives would be if dinosaurs still roamed planet Earth!

15:30 What if humans didn’t help each other?
Dr Shakti Lamba studies the evolution of cooperation and culture in humans. She works with societies in India to understand more about why humans behave the way they do.

Interactive Zones run by our experts:

Bone Zone: Discover skulls and skeletons, find out how limbs work and attempt the skeleton challenge.

Marine Zone: Meet the weird and wonderful rocky-shore inhabitants that live right here in Falmouth.

Live Zone: Get up close and personal with wild animals, including giant land snails and chameleons. Hold a cockroach and meet the other bugs and beasties that we study in our labs.

Mini-beast Zone: Learn to use a microscope and explore the magical mini-beasts of a garden pond.

Earth Zone: See the amazing ways that scientists monitor the natural Earth, chat to scientists who have studied Iceland's volcanoes and look at some of the ash from a recent eruption.

Adventure Zone: Immerse yourself in the incredible adventures scientists go on all around the world, from the African plains to the deepest, darkest Bornean jungle.

Craft Zone: get creative at our craft table with painting, colouring, mask making and face-painting, plus a free bouncy castle!

For more information, see: www.exeter.ac.uk/scienceinthesquare