Norwich Science Festival 2017 Learning Programme

Young learners are urged to explore the world this October, with the Norwich Science Festival Learning Programme – whether it is blasting off into space, diving into the deepest oceans or examining the complex DNA which makes up every living thing.

Students, home-educated learners and youth groups have the opportunity to investigate our fascinating planet, in a dedicated learning week that runs from Monday 16 to Friday 20 October, preceding the public events which run during half term. The Learning Programme is organised by The Forum and sponsored by Norse Group.

Highlights of the Learning Programme include the Explore Science experience days at The Forum, dedicated to encouraging secondary and sixth form students interactive with science. Adventurer Huw James will take learners on a tour of some of the most amazing locations on our planet in his Earth Adventures, with interactive demonstrations and HD footage of some of the most extreme environments on Earth. Science Slams help students get face-to-face with local scientists and organisations in quick-fire 15 minute sessions that use live experiments, demos and visuals to present research in an easy-to-understand way. Dr Ken Farquhar will host a takeover stage as well as presenting a few quirky experiments of his own – including the science of juggling, magic and unusual materials.

Norwich Science Festival has teamed up with Youth STEMM Award (YSA), who provide a focused and engaging framework for young people aged 13-18 to further their passion, knowledge and skills in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine). Students can work towards a Bronze, Silver or Gold level Award, inspire the next generation, engage the public, develop skills and shape their future career in the STEMM sector. Every student attending the Explore Science days will receive a Norwich Science Festival YSA Passport in which they can log their participation and record activities.

Other events in the Learning Programme include Switched On! – a light and shadow theatre show and workshop from Norwich Puppet Theatre and Ripstop Theatre for primary schools; a home education day with workshops for different ages, and special shows for Beavers, Rainbows, Cubs, Brownies, Scouts and Guides.

Sarah Power, Learning and Events Manager at The Forum, said: “We’re really excited about this year’s Learning Programme for the Norwich Science Festival, as there’s a huge array of engaging and valuable activities for all learners. We want to open up this amazing world to young minds, and encourage them to consider the possibilities of science.”

Dean Wetteland, Managing Director, Norse Commercial Services, said: “Through Norse’s commitment to the county’s education and skills development, the company is proud to support the Norwich Science Festival Learning Programme.”

Whether you are looking to bring an individual home-educated learner, a class, a whole year group or a youth group, there is something for everyone. Also, this year there are Science In School outreach events for those schools who are unable to travel to Norwich.

Download the NSF 2017 Learning Programme 

For more information, download the Learning Programme from norwichsciencefestival.co.uk or email [email protected]. Find out about the Youth STEMM Award at ysawards.co.uk.

Follow #NorwichSciFest on social media: on Twitter @NorwichSciFest, Facebook Norwich Science Festival and Instagram norwichsciencefestival.

About the Norwich Science Festival:

Celebrate the wonderful world of experiments, discoveries, exploration and innovation at the second Norwich Science Festival this autumn (21-29 October). Enjoy nine days of 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 Festival patron for 2017 is Mark Thompson, astronomer, broadcaster and author. The Learning Programme runs 16-20 October and is sponsored by Norse Group.

Explore the Norwich Science Festival website for the full programme – www.norwichsciencefestival.co.uk – and follow Norwich Science Festival on Twitter and Facebook.

Norwich Science Festival partners: 

The Norwich Science Festival is made possible by a unique cross-city partnership led by The Forum in collaboration with; 

Many institutions and labs on the Norwich Research Park including the University of East Anglia, John Innes Centre, The Earlham Institute, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Quadram Institute, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, The SAW Trust, Teacher Scientist Network, Norfolk Festival of Nature, Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library, Cinema City, Norwich Arts Centre, Norwich Playhouse, Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, The Institute of Physics, The Royal Society of Chemistry, Norwich Science Cafes, Pint of Science, British Science Association, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Norwich Cathedral, Norwich City Council, Norfolk County Council, University Technical College Norfolk and others.

Norwich Science Festival sponsors: 

The Norwich Science Festival headline sponsor is Anglian Water. The Learning Programme is sponsored by Norse Group, with support from the Foyle Foundation. Other Festival sponsors include: Norse Group, Briar Chemicals, KLM Engineering UK, University Technical College Norfolk and Bespak.

About The Forum: 

• The Forum, in the centre of Norwich, is one of the UK’s most successful Millennium projects.
• It’s a public building, open seven days a week, all year round (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
• Everyone is welcome. Many of the public events, exhibitions and activities which take place at The Forum are free.
• The Forum Trust is the independent, self-financing, charitable organisation which manages The Forum building.
• It is responsible for The Forum’s continued development, growth and innovation.
• The Trust works with many partners to ensure The Forum plays a valuable role in the community.
• Details about the charitable ‘project purpose’ which under-pins The Forum are on the website  www.theforumnorwich.co.uk

About Norse Group:

Norse Group brings together facilities management specialist Norse Commercial Services, property consultancy NPS Group and care provider NorseCare in a £250m annual turnover business.

Touching the lives of over 1million people across the country every day through an extensive portfolio of services and a diverse client base, Norse is also one of the UK’s largest suppliers to educational establishments. The company is one of only a handful of nationwide suppliers that can offer an integrated package of catering, cleaning, grounds maintenance, architectural design, engineering and asset management.

Norse is one of the county’s largest employers and is committed to supporting local communities such as the supply chain, sporting and social activities and educational and employment learning and development.