Science Under The Microscope At University's Buxton Campus
26 June 2009
Students can experiment at the University of Derby Buxton, Science in the Peak Festival.
We're delighted to be hosting this fantastic Science Festival at the Dome, it's a great opportunity for thousands of children to experience different aspects of science all under one roof and in a fun learning environment.
”Christine Sweetmore
Visitors to the University of Derby Buxton are in for a few surprises next week when the Science in the Peak Festival takes over its impressive Dome
Giant tortoises, hovering sausages, Dr Who's Tardis and his enemies the Daleks are just some of the incredible exhibits on show over the five day festival. There will be a few famous faces lifting the lid on the weird and wonderful worlds of science, technology, engineering and maths.
One of TVs original, best-loved science presenters Johnny Ball will be there along with Quentin Cooper - presenter of BBC Radio 4's The Material World and Blue Peter's resident astronomer, Anton Vamplew.
Science in the Peak is an exciting event for young people, which combines a fun-packed programme of popular science, technology, engineering and maths activities with interactive exhibitions and talks from many leading scientists.
The festival is coming to the University of Derby Buxton for five days from Tuesday 30 June, and is supported by East Midlands Development Agency (emda) through its £9m Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) programme, Derbyshire County Council and the Institute of Physics Midlands.
Quentin Cooper is particularly looking forward to this brand new event. On Friday 3 July, he will be informing and entertaining sixth form students at his tongue-in-cheek titled masterclass - Geeks, Freaks and Eggheads: The Image of Scientists.
Quentin said: "For all that science has done to transform our world, the popular image of scientists remains largely unchanged - male, white, usually bald, often with glasses and lab coats.
"With help from young people from the audience, we'll explore why this view of scientists persists around the world and look at what, if anything can be done to change it?"
Christine Sweetmore, Community Development and Events Manager at the University said: "We're delighted to be hosting this fantastic Science Festival at the Dome, it's a great opportunity for thousands of children to experience different aspects of science all under one roof and in a fun learning environment."
Aimed at Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire secondary school students throughout the week, with free entry to the general public on the Saturday, Science in the Peak is set to "inform, inspire and excite young people about all the potential careers available to those studying the areas of science, technology, engineering and maths," says Dianne Campbell of SciTec - part of the Derbyshire Education Business Partnership and event organiser.
Celebrated exhibitions such as Darwin Today, an interactive celebration of the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth, together with the National Space Centre's Moon Landing Exhibition, highlighting the 40th anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing, are just two of the attractions set to appear at this fun-packed festival that will appeal to all the family.
Andrew Morgan, Skills and Communities Director at emda added: "It's great that so many partners are working together to help more young people across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire discover how exciting the practical application of science can be. We're delighted to support such an imaginative event as part of our vision for a flourishing region."
For more information about Science in the Peak, go to www.scienceinthepeak.co.uk.
For further media information please contact Press and PR Officer Annabel Harvey, 01332 593004,or email a.harvey@derby.ac.uk.
