The 2008 Cambridge Science Festival, which takes place from 10 to 20 March 2008, would not be possible without 1,000 volunteers.
Monsters from Dr Who, the explosive chemistry of Dr Peter Wothers and a life-size moving Polar Bear will feature among the hundreds of free attractions at this year’s Cambridge Science Festival.
The Festival, which runs from 10 to 20 March, relies on the support of a huge team of volunteers and features lectures, exhibitions and a weekend of hands-on activity designed for children and young adults on 15 and 16 March.
Volunteers this year are helping with schools' masterclasses for 500 GCSE pupils from state schools across Eastern England (5-7 March); as interns in the Science Festival Office in the run-up to the Festival and at the Festival itself.
Other volunteer roles at the Festival range from:
- Science experiment demonstrators (often students and staff giving their time to do this).
- Members of the Association for Women in Science and Engineering who will be on hand to talk to visitors about women's careers in science.
- Lecturers
- Stewards
Emma Wenborn, who is co-ordinating the volunteers this year told Volunteering magazine: "25,000 members of the public attend the Cambridge Science Festival during March and around 1,000 staff and students of the University of Cambridge volunteer during this time. Many opportunities exist for volunteers.
Pictured above is Rachel, a member of Cambridge Hands-on Science (CHaOS) doing a science experiment.
CHaOS is a student group that runs an event at the Science Festival called 'Crash Bang Squelch' which encourages people to get involved in exciting hands-on experiments.
Emma added: "Volunteering at the Cambridge Science Festival allows University staff and students to share their passion for science with new audiences of all ages."
If anyone has a few hours to volunteer on Saturday 15 March to help give information to thousands of eager visitors who will be visiting exciting science that day, please email emma.wenborn@admin.cam.ac.uk
Patron of the Festival, Carol Vorderman returns on Science Saturday to formally open the event along with Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Richard.
This year there are over 90 separate events spread over Science Saturday and Science Sundays suitable for children from 5 years.
Visitors will get the opportunity to design and construct a rocket car, bottle their genes and build an AM radio along with many other activities.
Some of Dr Who’s classic monsters along with replicas of characters from the new series will be descending on the University for an exhibition at the Pitt Building. There will also be an accompanying talk by Dr Paul Parsons explaining the science behind the hit BBC series.
There are a series of evening talks held throughout the Festival with subjects ranging from the brain boosting drugs and sustainable energy to the science of beer and space tourism.
There will also be screenings at the Arts Picturehouse cinema, opportunities for debate and numerous exhibitions throughout the 11 day event.
Nicola Buckley, who is co-ordinating the event, said: “This year's Festival is the largest yet, with 130 free events for all ages. We invite you to discover the world of science from Antarctic exploring to backyard biodiversity and much more. At our evening talks and discussions you can explore space tourism, learn about drugs which might make you smarter and hear from top scientists including Sir David King, Professor Steven Rose and Professor Simon Baron-Cohen.”
Science Festival brochures have now been released and are available from the Cambridge Tourist Information office and the Cambridge University press bookshop next to Great St Mary’s Church.
Brochures can also be requested by emailing csf@admin.cam.ac.uk or ringing the team on 01223 766766.
Full details of all events part of the Festival are available on the Science Festival website at www.cambridgescience.org
Useful background information:
The Cambridge Science Festival is the UK’s largest free science festival, and is in its 15th year.
It takes place during National Science and Engineering Week, and aims to encourage young people to study science at school and university, and to engage with the general public of all ages on issues of scientific interest and concern.
