Even bigger and better than last year - a packed programme involving the whole of Sidmouth:

Click here for the 'at a glance guide'...

or have a look at what's on offer here:

What's On

The 2013 Science Festival will take place on 14th-20th October

This year the Festival weekend will extend from Saturday in Sidmouth town to Sunday at the Norman Lockyer Observatory. The events will be for all age groups and all parts of the community. Most events are free but there will be a charge for Saturday evening show and Sunday day at the NLO.

Booking is necessary for only 4 events:
Tuesday 15 Fungus Foray through reservations@sidmouthsciencefestival.org
Thursday 17 Enigma Codebreaking Workshop through reservations@sidmouthsciencefestival.org
Thursday 17 Farm visit. Book through Bicton College on 01395 562324
Sunday 20 Arboretum Walk. Book through info@sidmoutharboretum.org.uk

However, it is possible to reserve a place at two events through reservations@sidmouthsciencefestival.org
Friday 18 Talk by Prof Iain Stewart "Making of the Continents"
Saturday 19 night's performance by Helen Keen "It IS Rocket Science" (tickets at the door)

Entertaining and informative talks by internationally renowned scientists
Area Secondary and Primary School Competitions, Science Projects and Art Exhibition
Hands-on activities provided by Exeter and Plymouth Universities, Colyton Grammar, Institute of Physics, Jurassic Coast team, Petroc College and others with activities for young people, schools, families and adults
Geologist and Prof Iain Stewart known for several series of BBC science programmes
'It's Rocket Science' show by Helen Keen - science and fun at the NLO
Astronomy and family entertainment at the Norman Lockyer Observatory

Scroll down or click on the right for more details! Or download the At a Glance Festival programme.

NB. Please note that the A3052 at Newton Poppleford to the west of Sidmouth will be closed for roadworks during the Festival so it will be necessary to approach Sidmouth from A30 and then either Ottery St Mary or Honiton when approaching from Exeter. Please see the Highways Agency websitefor up to date information if you travel from the West towards Sidmouth. The BBC travel news site is also useful.

Current Events

Time & Space 7:30 PM 12th October Norman Lockyer Observatory Open evening at the NLO ... [more]	Family Fun Lab 3:00 PM 13th October Mustard Seed Cafe Science Experiments for all the family with afternoon tea and a children's Bible talk illustrated with super-cool experiments! ... [more]
The Arches Interpretation Centre 14th to 20th October The Arches Interpretation Centre Visit Sidmouth's permanent Jurassic Coast Exhibition ... [more]	Mathematics: the natural language of science Dr Keith Orrell 7:30 PM 14th October Lecture Hall, Norman Lockyer Observatory Mathematics is the door and key to the sciences. ... [more]
Fungus Foray Victor Papai 10:00 AM 15th October Peak Hill Car Park - right hand side, Sid Valley Find out where they grow and what they are! ... [more]	Sports Science Day 11:00 AM 15th October Sidmouth College How science is used to improve sports performance. ... [more]
A Further Romp around Hormones... Dr Chris Burke 3:00 PM 15th October Upstairs, Costa Coffee ...and the Brain ... [more]	Atmospheric Research Flying Kirsty McBeath 7:30 PM 15th October Lecture Theatre, Norman Lockyer Observatory Using aircraft to challenge our understanding of the atmosphere ... [more]
Henry Carter Exhibition 10:00 AM 16th October Fairlynch Museum ‘Sea, Salt and Sponges’ is a bicentennial tribute to the achievements of Victorian scientist Henry John Carter FRS (1813-95) ... [more]	Explorer Dome 10:00 AM 16th to 3:30 PM 17th October Sidmouth Primary School Science show for Sidmouth Primary School ... [more]
Schools' art exhibition 1:00 PM 16th to 4:00 PM 19th October Hatton Wood Room, Kennaway House Exhibition of artworks inspired by science ... [more]	Science Festival Geological Walk 2:00 PM 16th October Sidmouth Museum A gentle stroll along the Esplanade to Chit Rocks where we will examine the red rocks to discover Sidmouth's deep history ... [more]
The Enigma Machine Dr Mark Baldwin 2:30 PM 16th October Manor Pavilion Theatre & Arts Centre The Enigma project and the Art and Science of Code Breaking ... [more]	Fossil Fuel Free Farming Kevin Frediani, Paul Redmore 7:30 PM 16th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House Using Science to power a sustainable future. ... [more]
Codebreaking Workshop Dr Mark Baldwin 10:00 AM 17th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House Enigma and a puzzle... ... [more]	Interactive science show Richard Ellam 10:00 AM 17th October Sidmouth College for College students ... [more]
Farm visit and lunch 10:30 AM 17th October Please meet at the Earth Centre which is opposite the entrance to Bicton Botanical Gardens. Parking in car park immediate left at entrance to drive., Bicton College A science based tour of Bicton College farming practices led by undergraduates. ... [more]	The Making of Gunpowder Bob Ashford 2:00 PM 17th October Music Room, Sidholme Hotel What goes on at the Powdermills gunpowder complex on Dartmoor ... [more]
Open to Question: From Evolution to Ethics Dr Geoff Chapman 2:30 PM 17th October Twyford House Human Choice Superceding Natural Selection ... [more]	Beer to Beyond Keith Bennett 7:30 PM 17th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House The Art and Science of Brewing ... [more]
Presentation of the SVEAG Sustainability Shield Prof Iain Stewart 18th October Sports Centre, Sidmouth College The shield is awarded for the best environmental or sustainability themed projects ... [more]	Schools Science Exhibition and Competition Prof Iain Stewart 11:00 AM 18th October Sports Centre, Sidmouth College How Science is relevant to modern life. ... [more]
Official Opening... Prof Iain Stewart 7:00 PM 18th October Hatton Wood Room, Kennaway House ...of this year's Science Festival ... [more]	The Making of the Continents Prof Iain Stewart 7:30 PM 18th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House Background to the latest TV series the Rise of the Continents ... [more]
Fire and Rescue Service for all 19th October Both indoors and the Car Park, All Saints’ Church Hall Engines, fires, demonstrations for all the family ... [more]	Science Shopping 9:00 AM 19th October Sidmouth Town Centre Visit Sidmouth's shops to answer a scientific question related to what they sell ... [more]
Sidmouth Museum 10:00 AM 19th October Sidmouth Museum Science related exhibits for the whole family ... [more]	Fifty Shades of Grey: Communicating Rocks Prof Iain Stewart 10:00 AM 19th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House How can this be done when geology for many is about 'stones' and stones are 'boring'!? ... [more]
Hands-on science activities at the Parish Church 11:00 AM 19th October Parish Church The Met Office and the Institute of Physics ... [more]	Developments in Graphene Prof Laurence Eaves CBE FRS 11:00 AM 19th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House The latest on this discovery dubbed the one molecule thick 'supermaterial' ... [more]
Plant Heritage Exhibition 11:00 AM 19th October Captain Philips Room, Kennaway House Examples of scientific work undertaken by National Plant Collection Holders ... [more]	Hands on Activities at All Saints Hall 11:00 AM 19th October All Saints’ Church Hall Colyton Grammar and Petroc College present engaging experiments ... [more]
Hands on Activities by University of Exeter Outreach 11:00 AM 19th October Leigh Brown Room For the whole family ... [more]	Gold Panning Dr Roger Trend 11:00 AM 19th October The Large Hall, All Saints’ Church Hall Learn a new skill! ... [more]
The Jurassic Coast Team 11:00 AM 19th October The Large Hall, Sidmouth Methodist Church The Jurassic Coast Team will be on hand with rocks and fossils ... [more]	Knit a Neuron 11:00 AM 19th October The Small Hall, Sidmouth Methodist Church Drop in and help to knit a neuron... ... [more]
Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre (CHERC) 11:00 AM 19th October The Large Hall, Sidmouth Methodist Church Interactive sports activities ... [more]	Hands-on Activities by University of Plymouth Outreach 11:00 AM 19th October Masonic Hall Sciencific Fun and Games for the whole family! ... [more]
Medicinal Plants Ann Stobart 11:00 AM 19th October Captain Phillips Room, Kennaway House The science behind herbal remedies ... [more]	Sidbury Choir 11:00 AM 19th October Sidmouth Town Centre The choir will be singing science related songs in venues around town ... [more]
The Physics of Bubbles and their Application Prof Stephen Evans 1:00 PM 19th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House The quality of our lives would be significantly lessened if it were not for the ubiquitous nature of bubbles ... [more]	'The Microbial World - the good, the bad and the ugly' David Joyce 2:00 PM 19th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House Microbes are everywhere ... [more]
Codes, encryption and quantum physics Prof Sir Peter Knight 3:00 PM 19th October Cellar Bar, Kennaway House Secret messaging has a long history: from ancient Greeks to internet protocols such as https ... [more]	It Is Rocket Science! Helen Keen 8:00 PM 19th October Norman Lockyer Observatory Helen Keen's one-woman show about space travel ... [more]
Lifeboat and Helicopter Demonstration 10:00 AM 20th October Sidmouth Town Centre Display by Sidmouth Lifeboat in conjunction with Sea Rescue Helicopter. Exercise of rescue skills. Viewing from the promenade. ... [more]	Parish Church of St Giles and St Nicholas Prof John Bryant 10:00 AM 20th October Parish Church Special Sunday service ... [more]
Flight - from Insects to Rockets 11:00 AM 20th October Norman Lockyer Observatory A day of talks and fun activities for the whole family. ... [more]	Richard Ellam Airshow Richard Ellam 11:00 AM 20th October Norman Lockyer Observatory Further details tbc ... [more]
Sidmouth Civic Arboretum Walk Dr Hugh Angus 2:00 PM 20th October Meeting point , Temple Street Car Park Hugh Angus leads a guided walk around town and private gardens ... [more]	Title to be confirmed Prof Charles Desforges OBE 3:00 PM 19th November Costa Coffee Dr Charles Desforges is an emeritus professor in the University of Exeter. He now works in the field of teaching and learning. ... [more]