Super success for this year’s Norwich Science Festival!

This year’s Norwich Science Festival saw everything from chimpanzee calls with Dr Jane Goodall, through to an ostrich dissection and the chance to interact with robots.

Organisers of the Norwich Science Festival say that there were over 137,000 visits to events throughout the nine-day Festival, from hands-on activities at host venue The Forum, to shows at Norwich Playhouse, Norwich Arts Centre, Stage Two Theatre Royal and Norwich Puppet Theatre amongst others.

The Festival, in its fourth year, was the biggest yet, with over 180 events for all ages and all levels of knowledge, during October half-term, and was co-ordinated by The Forum and partners such as Norwich Research Park and UEA.

As well as hands-on science, talks, shows and debates, the Festival also hosted its first ‘science lates’ event ‘Science After Six’ – which was a chance for grown-ups to enjoy a science comedy, rap science, cocktails and even an ‘organ off’ called Offal Waffle, where the battle for the best organ was fought!

The Festival also ran a Learning Programme, for schools, youth groups and home-educated learners, which saw over 3100 students from reception classes to sixth formers get inspired by science.

Natalie Bailey, Norwich Science Festival producer, said: “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed this year’s Festival, and want to say a huge thank you to everyone that was involved, took part, showcased science, volunteered, or simply came along to enjoy science and discover more about the world. We look forward to welcoming you back for 2020!”

Prof David Richardson, UEA Vice-Chancellor, said: “UEA’s partnership and involvement with the Norwich Science Festival is a great source of pride for our University. The opportunity to engage the public with the important work carried out by our academics, staff and students has the potential to create real impact. We look forward to the fifth year of the Festival in 2020, and I for one can’t wait to see the passion and creativity of our UEA family on show once again.”

The Festival was made possible by headline sponsorship from Anglian Water, plus additional sponsorship from Norwich Accountancy Services, University Technical College Norfolk, Vattenfall, Briar Chemicals, Fitness Space, Veolia, Roarr! Dinosaur Adventure, KLM UK Engineering and EIRA.

To keep up-to-date with 2020 announcements, follow @NorwichSciFest on Twitter, or Norwich Science Festival on Facebook and Instagram, and keep an eye on norwichsciencefestival.co.uk for headline announcements in July and the full programme at the end of August.