Showing posts with label science festival. Show all posts

Saturday, 18 May 2019

Café Scientifique @ Sidmouth Tree Week >>> a talk on "Trees for Multiple Purposes" > Tuesday 21st May

It's Tree Week next week:
Sidmouth Arboretum

Much of the time will be spent walking through some arboreal delights - and much of the time will be spent talking climate change:
What are the effects of global warming in the UK? - Woodland Trust

The Science Fest's Café Scientifique will be hosting a talk on what a good thing trees are - starting with the climate:

Trees for Multiple Benefits with Bob Chard, Member of the Royal Forestry Society

VISION FOR A FOREST NATION

So now it is accepted as true. Climate change is for real and a very urgent emergency problem. The Government is going into panic mode about what to do. We have to give them some credit for their vision. UK is the first nation in the world to adopt necessary climate action targets which are both adequate and credible. Also in some respects including forestry policy the UK Government is quite well prepared for fast acceleration in new directions. We will commit to a very large increase in tree planting targets to double the woodland area.

However achieving tree planting number targets is the easy part; what is of more concern to me is the more difficult part. Will we plant the right trees and will they be planted in the right places? Will public money be spent wisely and will it be managed in the best possible way? To be sure many people in all walks of life will want to be part of the action but in the past we have made mistakes with forestry policy and we need to learn from that and not simply throw money at achieving targets.

I would like to share my knowledge and experience with you and suggest some trees which we can all plant and nurture, as well as my own project which is designed to grow unusual trees as substitutes for current unsustainable imports of tropical hardwood timbers; much of which is being illegally felled, is uncertified and imported from the other side of the planet with a large carbon footprint, at ever increasing cost. We have to do better.

Everyone welcome. This is a free event so please buy a drink to keep it so

Cafe Scientifique: Sidmouth Tree Week: Trees for Multiple Benefits | Sidmouth Science Festival

.
.
.

Monday, 29 April 2019

Lyme Regis Fossil Festival > Friday 3rd May 3 to Saturday 5th May

Enjoy one of Dorset's largest science festivals. Find out all about the amazing Jurassic Coast with specialist talks, walks and incredible interactive activities:
Home - Lyme Regis Fossil Festival
Programme - Lyme Regis Fossil Festival

The Herald tells us what to expect this weekend:

Lyme Regis Fossil Festival returns!

PUBLISHED: 17:00 26 April 2019

The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival returns in early May

Have you ever held a 200-million-year-old fossil in your hands?

Have you ever dreamt of becoming a polar explorer?

Can you design your very own prehistoric creepy crawly?

All these questions and more will be answered in a weekend of science, discovery and fun at this year's Lyme Regis Fossil Festival held from Friday, May 3 to Saturday, May 5.

The festival will once again host some fascinating exhibitions throughout the town centre including the wonderful Natural History Museum, the British Antarctic Society, the Palaeontological Society and lots of local scientific organisations, as well as some thought-provoking and entertaining talks and lectures in the Marine Theatre.

On the Saturday night, B Sharp and students from The Woodroffe School and Mrs Ethelston's C of E Primary Academy will be entertaining visitors at the Marine Theatre in a journey through sound, light and music in a concert called Evolution Rocks!

There will be plenty of opportunities to follow in the footsteps of local hero Mary Anning by discovering your very own fossils when you join one of the many guided fossil hunting walks over the weekend.

There will also be stalls selling a variety of fossils, jewellery and dinosaur gifts.

The whole weekend kicks off with a dazzling lantern display along the seafront, which will truly be a sight to behold.

You can join the Lyme Regis Fossil Festival for an adventure 200 million years in the making!

Full programme details can be found at www.fossilfestival.co.uk

The Lyme Regis Fossil Festival returns in early May | What's on and things to do in Sidmouth - Sidmouth Herald
.
.
.

Sunday, 4 November 2018

Sidmouth Science Festival >>>> Robin Ince of Radio 4's The Infinite Monkey Cage: "I'm a joke and so are you ... ... ... ... ... A comedian's take on what makes us human"

The Science Festival went very well - despite the weather:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Science Festival >>> photos and reports from a packed programme

The final event of the fest is coming up this week - and should be very entertaining:

Why do we make the choices we do in life? Where does anxiety come from? Why are we like we are? Do our parents f*&k us up? Informed by interviews with a bevy of A-list comedians from Jo Brand and Tim Minchin to Ricky Gervais - as well as with neuroscientists, psychologists and doctors - this is a hilarious and often profound primer to the mind.

As a connoisseur of comedy, Robin Ince has spent decades mining our eccentricities to create gags - and watching other strange individuals do the same. And for years on The Infinite Monkey Cage with Brian Cox he has sought - sometimes in vain - to understand the world around us. In this book, he unites these pursuits to tackle some of the biggest questions that intrigue us all.

The ticket price will be discounted against book sales.

Venue: Norman Lockyer Observatory, Salcombe Hill Road, Sidmouth, EX10 0NY

Entry: £3 - refundable against book purchases. Bookable via Eventbrite or payable at the door.

I'm a joke and so are you - A comedian's take on what makes us human | Sidmouth Science Festival

And from the NLO:

“I’m a joke and so are you – a comedian’s take on what makes us human” | Norman Lockyer Observatory
.
.
.

Saturday, 20 October 2018

Sidmouth Science Festival >>> photos and reports from a packed programme

The 2018 Science Festival has finished:
Sidmouth Science Festival: Thursday 27 September to Sunday 14 October 2018 inclusive | Sidmouth Science Festival

It finished with a bang last weekend:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Science Festival >>> big weekend > Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th October

As the Herald reports - with lots and lots of great photos:

Sidmouth festival overcomes weather in the name of science

PUBLISHED: 11:00 19 October 2018

Sam Cooper

Sidmouth Science Festival. Ref shs 42 18TI 2930. Picture: Terry Ife

Events ranging from talks to explorations of the brain made this year’s Sidmouth Science Festival a success despite the weather.

Saturday saw children and adults looking at brain waves, making tornadoes, exploding a volcano and being a weather forecaster.

There were also many talks spanning a variety of subjects with Professor Iain Stewart giving a talk at the Manor Pavilion.

A team from King’s College, London, used choppy sea waves to help educate children on brainwaves.

There was a packed Sunday schedule at the Norman Lockyer Observatory including an entertaining microscope talk by the One Show’s Dr Marty Jopson and jet car racing.

Sidmouth Science Festival. Ref shs 42 18TI 2923. Picture: Terry Ife

Liz Bramley of the Science Festival team said: “It has been really great to see so many people enjoying the events at this year’s Sidmouth Science Festival. We managed to deliver a packed programme despite the weather.”

Sidmouth Science Festival overcomes weather in the name of science | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
.
.
.

Friday, 12 October 2018

Sidmouth Science Festival >>> big weekend > Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th October

It's the final couple of days - and the biggest -at the Science Festival:
Sidmouth Science Festival: Thursday 27 September to Sunday 14 October 2018 inclusive | Sidmouth Science Festival

The Herald reports:

Last chance to enjoy Sidmouth Science Festival

PUBLISHED: 14:57 11 October 2018 | UPDATED: 14:57 11 October 2018

Sam Cooper

The Unkindest Cut dance performance at Sidmouth Science Festival. Picture: Brian Hartley

Explorations of the mind, seaside science and fungus forays were amongst the events at this year’s Sidmouth Science Festival.

This weekend with be the final chance for people to make the most of the event.

One of the potential highlights will be the drone racing on Saturday (tomorrow) - some of the country’s finest drone pilots will be heading to Sidmouth Cricket Club and, weather permitting, spectators can watch exciting races from 11am until 5pm.

Sunday will see a visit from the BBC’s The One Show science correspondent Dr Marty Jopson. His Invisible Worlds show delves into the realm of microscopical wonders. It will run from 2pm until 2.45pm at the Norman Lockyer Observatory. Marty will also be doing a Q&A from 3.30pm until 4pm. Visit sidmouthsciencefestival.org for more information.

Be sure to pick up a copy of next week’s Herald to catch a glimpse of the festival pictures.

Last chance to enjoy Sidmouth Science Festival | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
.
.
.

Thursday, 11 October 2018

Sid Valley Bat Research Project > end of the trapping sessions for this year

The Sid Valley Bat Research Project had hoped to be out this weekend:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Science Festival >>> Sid Valley Bat Research Project >>> Saturdays 6th and 13th October

But the bats have moved on, and so the final session of bat trapping won't be happening on Saturday - with this message from the project lead:

Batting on Saturday in the Sid Valley is cancelled and a big Thank you!!!

For those of you who are not already aware and as a reminder, bat trapping on Saturday is cancelled due the bats having moved on and the weather is looking decidedly iffy too!
That will mean that there will not be any trapping sessions until next year now.
Thank you to everyone who has been out this year, you have all made it very enjoyable for me so thank you! The project obviously couldn't continue without you so I hope that we get a Licence next year and that you can make it out again.

I will keep you informed in the meantime.
Much appreciation
Louise

Louise Woolley BSc (Hons) MCIEEM

louise@devonecologyandwildlife.co.uk

www.devonecologyandwildlife.co.uk

22 Arcot Park, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 9HP

07905 418460

Home - Sid Valley Bat Research Project
.
.
.

Wednesday, 10 October 2018

Sidmouth Science Festival >>> How do we know Earth's climate is changing? >>> Friday 12th October

In the light of this week's IPCC report:
Futures Forum: Climate change: the IPCC report provides a "simple and empowering" message for businesses, giving them a clear call to action to consider how to cut emissions within their operations.

... Friday's session at the Science Festival is coming at just the right time:

A talk by Professor Graeme Stephens FRS.

Professor Stephens is

Co-Director, Center for Climate Sciences, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology and Professor Emeritus of the Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University.

Professor Stephens has made major research contributions in three related areas; atmospheric radiative transfer, remote sensing and cloud climate feedbacks. He has published over 250 peer reviewed publications, a text book on remote sensing, has a citation count of over 25000 and a H-index of 75 (Google Scholar). He has served as principal investigator the NASA CloudSat mission that has pioneered Earth observations of clouds and precipitation

Venue: Cellar Bar

Reservations necessary.

How do we know Earth's climate is changing? | Sidmouth Science Festival
.
.
.

Tuesday, 9 October 2018

Sidmouth Science Festival >>> Wellbeing afternoon: How nature can enhance our sense of well-being >>> Wednesday 10th October

Wellbeing an increasingly important theme for life today:
Futures Forum: Health as a Social Movement

The Science Festival will be looking at it tomorrow afternoon:

Over the last few years, we have seen growing research and policy interest in the potential for time spent with nature to promote experiences of health and wellbeing.

What ‘nature’ is and what it means to different people can vary according to the environments we grow up in, those we experience over time, and with the many stories that circulate about nature within different societies and across generations.

From everyday weather and bird song, to encounters with more extensive forms of nature – such as parks, woodlands, gardens, coastlines and the countryside – this presentation will highlight why such experiences may encourage a sense of health and wellbeing. For example, an appealing setting might invite physical activity and social interaction, or opportunities to experience moments of peace, perspective and relief from day-to-day demands.

The presentation will also discuss how and why varied life transitions can influence the role of nature in shaping feelings of health and wellbeing through the different chapters of our lives, and how we can promote more inclusive nature ex

Dr Sarah Bell is a Research Fellow whose research focuses on the complex intersections between human health, wellbeing and the interlinked physical, social and cultural environments encountered through the life course.

Sarah’s work is underpinned by a passion for qualitative methodological development, designing sensitive approaches that promote critical awareness of alternative ways of embodying, experiencing and interpreting diverse everyday geographies.

Free.

Wellbeing afternoon: How nature can enhance our sense of well-being | Sidmouth Science Festival
.
.
.

Sunday, 7 October 2018

Sidmouth Science Festival >>> Transport choices and Electric cars >>> Sunday 7th October

How can we cope as a seaside resort with the increasing number of tourists?
Futures Forum: The West country struggling to cope with tourists

It is setting locals against incomers:
Futures Forum: Restricting parking in Sidmouth > residents against commuters and tourists

And meanwhile the planners plug away at more 'development' - ignoring the effect on infrastructure:
Futures Forum: Air pollution, traffic congestion and development >>> Building a new shopping centre to the west of Exeter "would cause traffic chaos"

We need some better thinking and some better solutions:
Futures Forum: How green are electric vehicles?
Futures Forum: Co-cars - the hire by the hour car club for Exeter and the South West > a not for profit co-operative social enterprise

Later this afternoon, the Science Festival looks at the issues:

The two talks will focus on transport choices, including electric cars.

1.00pm Ian Walker - Transport choices
2.00pm Andy Allen - Electric cars

Venue: The Conference Room.

The events are free and refreshments will be available from the hotel.

Designed to move: Talks at the Kingswood and Devoran Hotel | Sidmouth Science Festival
.
.
.

Monday, 1 October 2018

Sidmouth Science Festival >>> Sid Valley Bat Research Project >>> Saturdays 6th and 13th October

There will be bats at the Science Festival this coming weekend, as this message from the Sid Valley Bat Research Project reminds us:

Its Science Festival time of year again this time running from this weekend through to Oct 14th. If you haven't seen all the amazing events, mostly free please take a look at the website. This is great for kids over the 13th/14th Oct weekend too.

There will be bat trapping on Saturdays 6th and 13th of October, in the Byes, Sidmouth. It was oversubscribed by over twice as many people from the festival last year so please let me know if you would like to come so that I can put you on the list. Those people who are skilled at putting up nets or are handling bats it would be especially great to have your support.

We will meet at 5:30 at the Toll House at the entrance to the Byes. The link to both are here...…….

https://goo.gl/maps/eXEAuRVF6QJ2

Byes Toll House & Gate

Sidmouth Science Festival: Thursday 27 September to Sunday ...

www.sidmouthsciencefestival.org

Visit Sidmouth Science Festival for hours of entertaining and thought-provoking events including talks and workshops. Learn about fossils, dinosaurs, stars, energy, light, weather, brains, rockets and much more.

Louise Woolley BSc (Hons) MCIEEM

louise@devonecologyandwildlife.co.uk

www.devonecologyandwildlife.co.uk

22 Arcot Park, Sidmouth, Devon, EX10 9HP

07905 418460

Home - Sid Valley Bat Research Project

And more info on the events here:
Futures Forum: Sid Valley Bat Research Project > events for September
.
.
.

Sunday, 30 September 2018

Sidmouth Science Festival >>> Unkindest Cut: an exploration of the mind's inner workings >>> Saturday 6th October

The Science Festival starts in earnest next weekend:
Futures Forum: Sidmouth Science Festival >>> "science in our lives" >>> Friday 5th to Sunday 14th October

It is very much about 'science in our lives' - the theme of this year's event:
Sidmouth Science Festival - Home | Facebook
Sidmouth Science Festival: Thursday 27 September to Sunday 14 October 2018 inclusive | Sidmouth Science Festival

This includes our inner lives - and one event will address the issue of young people and mental health - which is very much a current issue:
Futures Forum: Urgent calls for a long-term mental health programme to provide preventative action and ongoing support for young people in the Sid Valley

With details of a very different kind of event on the Festival's website:

Outside it seems to be a shipping container much like any other. Inside though, it’s a fortress of ideas – intimate and intense, alluring but alarming, contained yet spilling over.

Unkindest Cut confines and entwines dance, performance, text, film and an intricate light installation to explore how our own minds cope – and sometimes don’t – with modern life, confronting audiences at close quarters with complex issues around young people and mental health.

The shows take place at the following times:

show 1: 11.00-11.30am
show 2: 13.00-13.30pm
show 3: 15.00-15.30pm

Unkindest Cut: an exploration of the mind's inner workings - at 11am, 1pm and 3pm | Sidmouth Science Festival

And an excellent piece in the Herald on-line today:

Unkindest Cut dance show staged at Sidmouth Science Festival

PUBLISHED: 08:30 30 September 2018

Philippa Davies

Unkindest Cut explores the mind's workings, through expressive dance. Picture: Kathy Hinde

Students take part in creative workshops before the show, to explore emotions and record words and phrases for the soundtrack

Experiences and emotions of local young people will be woven into the soundtrack of an expressive dance performance, to be staged during the Sidmouth Science Festival.

While much of the festival is all about the outside world, the show Unkindest Cut focuses on the human mind and explores how it copes, or sometimes fails to cope, with modern life.

The show is touring science festivals around the UK, starting with Sidmouth. Before each festival, its producers invite young people from the area to take part in creative workshops, exploring how to express emotions through movement, using a traditional Indian dance technique called Bharata Natyam.

Artistic director and choreographer Subathra Subramaniam said:

“I teach some Bharata Natyam gestures and basic movements. We then have a discussion about what it is like to be a young person in the world today. We pick out words and phrases, and think about how we could express them through creative movement, also using music, rhythm and words if they would like to.”

Recordings of some of those words and phrases are then digitally altered and used as part of the soundtrack of the dance performance, played through special speakers giving the effect of words whispered in the ear.

As well as providing dramatic sound effects for the dance performances, different for each festival, the workshops aim to give young people the freedom to explore their feelings, including negative or frightening ones, in a creative and safe environment. Students from Sidmouth College were among those invited to take part in the sessions leading up to the science festival performances, which take place on Thursday, October 4 until Sunday 7th.

Unkindest Cut aims to raise awareness of some of the issues troubling young people. But fittingly, the performances themselves are also part of a scientific project. Subathra Subramaniam believes that dance can help people understand scientific concepts. The reactions of audiences, particularly their emotional responses to the show, is being researched by a senior fellow in science communication from the University of the West of England, who will publish her paper on it next year.

Unkindest Cut dance show staged at Sidmouth Science Festival | Latest Sidmouth and Ottery News - Sidmouth Herald
.
.
.