Norwich Science Festival 2018 Photo credit Simon Finlay Photography

Over 130 events announced for Norwich Science Festival 2018 – from ugly animals and dinosaurs to robots and our future world!

The 2018 Norwich Science Festival brochure is now out, with over 130 events covering nature and the environment, technology, engineering, medicine and health, engineering, astronomy and space, physics, chemistry, and the cutting-edge work by scientists at Norwich Research Park. Plus new this year is a day dedicated to celebrating our oceans, seas and rivers – from aquatic wildlife to our responsibility to protect the marine environment.

The eclectic programme urges people to discover ‘our future world’, and explore how developments in science and technology will shape our future, and what we can do to help make it sustainable.

The brochure was launched at The Forum, Norwich, with the help of a striking sculpture of a moorhen made out of recycled materials, courtesy of headline sponsor Anglian Water. The artwork is made from parts of abandoned shopping trolleys, washing machines and bicycles, and sits on a nest of plastics collected from the region’s rivers and beaches.

Highlights of this year’s Festival include Chris Packham; Maddie Moate; Prof Alice Roberts; explorer Benedict Allen; Angela Saini and a women in science panel; and the Space Descent with Tim Peake VR Experience Tour Bus – where you can experience in virtual reality the incredible descent from the International Space Station back to Earth, voiced by astronaut Tim Peake.

There’s also science-inspired exhibitions, concerts and theatre shows, plus every day during the Festival, there’s free family-friendly activities, hands-on fun and talks at The Forum, for all ages.

The Festival is coordinated by The Forum and a partnership of organisations and institutions, including Norwich Research Park and the University of East Anglia, who have more than 100 scientists taking part.



Laura Bowater, UEA’s Academic Director of Innovation and Professor of Microbiology Education and Engagement, said: “We’re delighted to support the Norwich Science Festival again this year. It’s been extremely rewarding seeing the festival go from strength to strength and we hope that this year will be another fantastic event where a number of our academics will be sharing their ground-breaking research.”

Natalie Bailey, Festival producer, said: “We’re really excited about this year’s programme. It’s hugely diverse, from talks on penguins and robots to the health benefits of dark chocolate, and hands-on activities from robot coding and fingerprints through to tree listening! Whether you’re just dipping your toe into the far-reaching world of science, or want to further your knowledge, there’s something for everyone.”

Visit norwichsciencefestival.co.uk to see all events and book tickets, or pick up a brochure from The Forum, Norwich TIC or venues across Norfolk.

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About the Norwich Science Festival

Celebrate the wonderful world of experiments, discoveries, exploration and innovation at Norwich Science Festival this October. Enjoy inspirational exhibitions, hands-on family activities, inspiring celebrity talks and sensational shows at The Forum, and at other venues around the city. This is a festival for all age groups and all levels of knowledge. The 2018 Festival patrons are Mark Thompson – astronomer, broadcaster and author, and Ben Garrod – evolutionary biologist and great ape conservationist. A Learning Programme for schools, colleges, home-educated learners and youth groups runs 15–17 October. The 2018 headline sponsor is Anglian Water, with additional sponsorship from Developing Experts, University Technical College Norfolk, Vattenfall, Briar Chemicals, and KLM UK Engineering, and funding from Foyle Foundation, Geoffrey Watling Trust and John Jarrold Trust, Norfolk County Council and Norwich BID. Norwich Science Festival is coordinated by The Forum, Norwich, and a partnership of organisations and institutions including Norwich Research Park and the University of East Anglia.