Science festival returns with a bang

‌Scifest, in association with the Telford Manufacturing Partnership, The Black Country Skills Factory and PayCare, is a week-long series of events aimed at showing school pupils and families the wonder of science and engineering.

Taking place between 1 and 5 July 2014, the festival features a series of school visits with children from local schools from Years 5 and 6, GSCE and A-Level classes all visiting the University for themed days.

It culminates with a free family day at the University’s City Campus on Saturday 5 July.

This year former children’s television presenter Johnny Ball, famous shows such as Think of a Number and Johnny Ball Reveals All, will be appearing at the festival.

Johnny, who recently also became the oldest ever contestant on hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, became popular for his maths and science based shows for children and won a BAFTA for his work.

The One Show’s resident scientist and inventor Dr Marty Jopson will also appear at the family fun day.

Other events for people to look forward to on the day include The Classroom Medics, Think Tank Planetarium, Animal Man, Dr Musgrove’s Marvels, Mysteries and Mayhem, Lego Education, Computer Games Workshop, Who Wants to be a Science Millionaire?, Crime Scene Forensics, Robot Workshop and the chance to try your hand at a range of science and engineering experiments and activities.

Dr Derek Walton, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University, said: “Since we launched Scifest in 2012 it has got bigger and better every year, attracting thousands of school pupils and families over the course of the week.

“It is about opening people’s eyes to the wonders of subjects like science, technology, engineering and maths and presenting it to them in a way that is fun and practical.

“We’re really excited about the activities that we have on offer this year and on being joined by the likes of Johnny Ball and Marty Jopson.

“It really will be a fantastic week and we hope as many people as possible can come and join us.”

For more details about Scifest and to book onto events visit www.wlv.ac.uk/scifest

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003.

Date Issued: Thursday 20 March 2014