The biennial Manchester Science Festival is returning this week and will explore the extremes of nature, human capability and creativity. One of the most popular science festivals in the UK, visitors will have the opportunity to get hands on with some of science’s most cutting-edge developments through multi-sensory experiences, immersive events and hands-on family fun – with many being free to attend.
During the 10-day festival running from October 18-27, a number of interactive events will take place in the city including some at the Science and Industry Museum. Visitors can witness the new installation State of Mind by Squidsoup, exploring the impact of smartphones and apps on our brains, as well as the major exhibition Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine, which considers the extreme challenges faced during the pandemic.
Plus, an incredible Arachnobot, a giant spider puppet, will make its way through Manchester’s Arndale Centre in an unmissable, enchanting spectacle. Families can also look forward to fun-filled activity zones at the Science and Industry Museum, in addition to hands-on activities throughout the week, from partners including Natural History Museum and the universities of Manchester and Salford.
What’s on at Manchester Science Festival
State of Mind by Squidsoup
Science and Industry Museum, 1830 Warehouse – October 18-27 – Free
State of Mind is a large-scale immersive installation created by pioneering light, sound and technology artists Squidsoup. Inspired by the work of the iconic abstract artist Piet Mondrian, State of Mind creates a space for you to reflect on the everyday use of media technologies and consider their effect on your mood and behaviour.
The work uses rhythm in light and sound to take the audience on a journey between order and chaos and explore the cognitive mechanisms that bring order and understanding to the millions of sensory inputs we receive every day. Immerse yourself in this rich and colourful animated audio-visual world – sit, stand or walk through this abstract and playful representation of a digitised world saturated with sensory stimuli from ever-changing media technologies.
Citizen Science – The Brain & Body Study
Science and Industry Museum – October 18-27
Take part in activities that reveal the elusive relationship between the brain and body as the findings of a major international online study, delivered in collaboration with researchers at Western University, Canada, are revealed as part of the Festival programme. Compete with your friends to see whether gaming or physical exercise improves your cognition and then play some quick-fire games to find out your score.
Arachnobot
Arndale Centre – October 19-20 – Free
Get ready to meet the Arachnobot as it takes over the Manchester Arndale just in time for Halloween. This incredible giant spider, created by Artistic Director Tim Davies, Arachnobot will both terrify and enchant passers-by in a high impact spectacle controlled by a single puppeteer.
Composed of a complex cable skeleton with eight legs and a giant inflatable skin, this dynamic work of art puts the extremes of large-scale, kinetic creations on full display. You can also get involved in special spider science activities, finding out about how spiders use vibrations to locate their prey.
In Conversation: Does AI have a place in space?
Science and Industry Museum – October 18 – £7/£5
Join STEM champion, social entrepreneur and computer scientist, Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE, and the UK Space Agency’s Head of Space Exploration, Libby Jackson OBE, as they discuss how their worlds collide in this interactive forum. Can AI be applied to Space exploration? What can you trust AI to do in Space? How will it better our lives back on Earth?
The opportunities seem endless with the likes of rover navigation, satellite design and lasering space junk. But are we just talking science fiction?
Cosmic Quiz
Science and Industry Museum – October 19 – £7/£5
Will you be the star of the Cosmic Quiz? Part of a weekend curated by Dr Anne Marie Imafidon MBE and Libby Jackson OBE, take top prize in a dynamic evening of surprise rounds, pop-up performances and laid-back cosmic vibes, where you’ll be challenged on all things space and artificial intelligence. Compete on your own, or in a team of up to four, in an out-of-this world event produced in collaboration with The Quiz Team, featuring specially commissioned content from The Poetry Place.
Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Science and Industry Museum – October 18-27 – Free
This free, major exhibition delves into extreme challenges faced during pandemics by examining the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at speed and uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the world-wide COVID-19 challenge. The exhibition also examines the unique experiences and responses of communities in Manchester to the pandemic through objects and stories on display for the first time.
Activity Zones
Science and Industry Museum, 1830 Warehouse – October 18-27 – Free
Manchester Science Festival is taking over the historic 1830 Warehouse with fun and inspiring experiences for all ages in the Activity Zones. The warehouse is being temporarily reopened for the festival – it is currently closed to the public as part of the Science and Industry Museum’s extensive works to restore its site for the future.
Highlights include the Vollebak graphene jacket acquired by the museum and on display for the first time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the discovery of the wonder material, graphene. Visitors can also explore the mental health benefits of drumming, find out what an active volcano smells like, investigate molecules and much more.
Museum After Hours
Science and Industry Museum – October 26 – £10
Explore the museum after hours and dive into a world of extremes at this special adult-only evening event. Celebrate the final weekend of Manchester Science Festival with exclusive after-hours access to headline experience State of Mind.
Plus, don’t miss the premiere of new works from artists Liam Ashworth and Luca Agathogli, presented in partnership with Venture Arts, an award-winning visual arts organisation working with learning disabled artists. Explore interactive performances, a zine and a digital display inspired by the Festival themes of sport science and space. Plus, the events bar will be popping up, selling a range of wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks.
Creative Residency – Maternal Instinct
October 22-26 – Free
An installation from North Manchester-based arts duo Malandra Jacks, in collaboration with Harpurhey peer-to-peer support group Mindful Mums, will create a pop-up immersive experience at the Sure Start Children’s Centre exploring the surprising science behind pregnancy, motherhood, and mental health.
Community Showcases
October 18-27 – Free
Back at the Science and Industry Museum, this year’s Young People’s Project is being delivered in partnership with Pinc College (which focuses on creative education for neurodivergent young people). The young artists will create an interactive installation exploring the link between colour and emotion. Community showcases will be popping up throughout the festival from Beswick Chatty Crafters, Mandem Meetup, Reclaim Young Policy Makers and artist Linda Wachaga. Full details will be revealed soon.
BBC CBeebies Bedtime Stories
Science and Industry Museum, 1830 Warehouse – Free
Throughout the run of Manchester Science Festival, Mini star gazers can snuggle down for a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) inspired BBC CBeebies Bedtime Story, read by CBeebies House presenters and a constellation of special guests.
Visit the Manchester Science Festival website here to explore the full series of events and book your tickets.
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