Eighth annual Lancashire Science Festival attracts huge crowds to the free event in Preston
Thousands of youngsters have once again been inspired by the award-winning Lancashire Science Festival.
Organised and hosted by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), the popular and action-packed fun fest showcased the very best in electrifying shows, fantastic workshops, exciting exhibits and hands-on activities.
Among the highlights for many youngsters at this year’s three-day extravaganza were the From Plate to Poo show, Science Dome Planetarium and the Animal Detectives show.
Other exciting demonstrations and shows revealed the science in your favourite sci-fi shows and the maths that make thrilling theme-park rides. Many companies and organisations also brought hands-on activities to share the science and technology in the world around us.
"It’s been amazing to see thousands of people fully engaged with the wide variety of science, engineering, technology and maths (STEM) activities we had on offer."
Among the attendees was 10-year-old Adeite Oludotun-Fasanya from Barton St Lawrence’s CE Primary School. He said: “It’s been an amazing day. The ‘Maths, Disney and Pixar’ event was mind-blowing as I learnt about how the films are put together and the mistakes that are made.”
Eight-year-old Edeson Ogunlana-Aresin, from Grange Primary School in Preston, added: “I have enjoyed learning about being a scientist for the day and it’s been lots of fun to play with all the exhibits.”
The annual event offers a wide variety of activities to inspire youngsters about the real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine. The Festival has previously won the Best Community or Business Engagement Campaign prize at the Heist Awards for Education Marketing and Best Corporate Social Responsibility Campaign at the Northern Marketing Awards.
Dr Liz Granger, Lancashire Science Festival Director, said: “It’s been amazing to see thousands of people fully engaged with the wide variety of science, engineering, technology and maths (STEM) activities we had on offer.
“This has been our eighth year and it’s been bigger and better than ever. We’ve had such a great selection of science, technology, engineering and maths events with shows, workshops and drop-in activities that appeal to all ages. To see the mass appeal of a free STEM related festival is wonderful and it shows the appetite of schools and parents to bring children along and inspire the next generation.
“Once again our sponsors have been great this year. It’s been a real team effort, with contributions from staff, students, volunteers, regional businesses and organisations and the result has been seeing thousands of youngsters leaving with huge smiles on their faces with an understanding that science is really fun.”
To see images from across the three days, see our Flickr gallery.