Weekend of family fun and discovery to open the British Science Festival in Newcastle

Calling all families! Get your sleeping bags, cameras and notebooks at the ready and prepare to be amazed – the British Science Festival is on its way and it’s jam-packed with family fun and discovery. The six-day event, which is one of Europe’s biggest celebrations of science, engineering and technology, is coming to Newcastle from 7-12 September, 2013, and will kick-off with an entire weekend dedicated to entertaining and educating families. From science sleepovers and superheroes to freaky food of the future, an interactive game revolving around a fictional disease outbreak and even the evolutionary history of teddy bears – there will be something to intrigue all members of your clan. Tying in with NewcastleGateshead’s EAT! Festival, the fun will begin with a foodie themed event taking visitors on a wacky tasting tour of the past, present and future and considering the science of what we eat, how we eat it and why. Newcastle University (hosts of the Festival) and Northumbria University (associated partners along with Newcastle City Council) will throw open their doors to give Festival-goers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the science they are busy working on. There’ll be loads to get stuck into and learn about – everything from bacteria and poisons to electronics and ageing, and even why your fingers go wrinkly in the bath! There will be activity across the city at venues including the Centre for Life, the Discovery Museum, Great North Museum and the City Library and featuring a live skies planetarium, giant maths puzzles and all manner of animal antics. There will also be a trip to marvel at the darkest skies in England. In a sleepover with a difference, kids and their parents can camp overnight as part of a real night at the museum. Looking at the science behind, around and in between bedtime and getting-up time, families will find out why we need sleep and why we dream.  See what is going on in the natural world as we sleep and enjoy exploring the museum long after everyone else has left. A range of lectures on cutting-edge science and adult-focused fun events will also be taking place over the weekend. If the babysitter can be booked, and you think you can stay up all night, grab a seat at the SciScreen all-nighter film show. Strictly for the grown-ups, this will be an entire night of films themed around science, featuring cult classics, science fiction, talks and experimentation. Join researchers from Newcastle University not only as part of the audience but also as part of the experiment! Test how lack of sleep affects your memory, senses, attention & reactions over the course of the night. Family-friendly activity isn’t just limited to the opening weekend – there will be other opportunities to get involved throughout the Festival and thousands of children will be participating in a full programme of schools events. The British Science Festival is organised annually by the British Science Association and visits a different host city each year. As a UK Science City, Newcastle is recognised as being at the forefront of scientific and technological advancement and the presence of the British Science Festival will offer a unique opportunity to showcase its credentials to the world. Lots of the events will be drop-in activities but booking will be necessary for some sessions. Tickets can be ordered when booking lines open in July. Be the first to find out about Festival news by signing up for the newsletter at http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/user/register#main-content