The British Science Festival 2014, a flagship event being hosted by the University of Birmingham, launches in the city tomorrow (Tuesday) – with the help of a real-life TV star and a humanoid robot.
The British Science Festival 2014, a flagship event being hosted by the University of Birmingham, launches in the city tomorrow (Tuesday) – with the help of a real-life TV star and a humanoid robot.
The annual festival, which this year runs 6-11 September, will be officially unveiled at the Library of Birmingham from 12:00 until 14:00.
Anatomist, TV presenter and author Alice Roberts, Professor of Public Engagement in Science at the University of Birmingham, will be joined at the launch by colleagues including Dr Nick Hawes, lecturer in Intelligent Robotics, who will be accompanied by a humanoid and programmable ‘Nao’ robot.
As well as talks by University of Birmingham academics, fun activity sessions such as ‘Am I an Ape?’, comparing the skeletal anatomy of homo sapiens and other animals to see if they are more like humans or chimps, will take place in the library’s main entrance hall.
The British Science Festival, which visits a different city each year, is aimed at celebrating all things scientific. Organised by the British Science Association, the event encourages researchers to share their work with the public.
About 60,000 people are expected to attend the five-day festival, which will feature about 250 entertaining and thought-provoking events and activities appealing to everyone from family groups to professionals.
‘Birmingham is one of the world's great scientific cities, and everyone at the British Science Association is thrilled to be back here for the 2014 British Science Festival,’ said Imran Khan, the British Science Association’s CEO. ‘As well as having a vital historic role in both the scientific and industrial revolutions, Birmingham is a hub for world-leading science in the here and now. We are delighted to be able to work with the city's amazing researchers, and share this fantastic science with the public.’
The festival is the spotlight event of Birmingham Year of Science 2014, a Birmingham City Council initiative aimed at showcasing the city’s celebrated successes in the fields of science, technology and learning.
Ends
For further information please contact Faye Jackson at the University of Birmingham press office on +44 (0)121 141 6029
