Festivals

We work with our Member Organisations to coordinate involvement in UK-wide science festivals, and are focussing on three festivals for 2010: The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, The Big Bang Fair and The British Science Association Festival.

Big Bang Fair 2011: Call for Activities

Organisers for next years Big Bang Fair are looking for organisations and individuals to participate in 2011. The call for activities will close at 5.30pm on Wednesday 1 September 2010. The event will be taking place at the International Convention Centre, London ExCel from 10-12 March 2011. For more detail on how to submit an application visit: http://www.thebigbangfair.co.uk/activities.cfm

The Times Cheltenham Science Festival

When: 9th-13th June 2010

Where: Cheltenham

Described by Professor Lord Robert Winston as “unquestionably the leading science festival in the country”, The Times Cheltenham Science Festival is a five-day celebration of science. With intimate venues and a unique format it is a rare opportunity for policy makers, research funders, the media and the general public to come face-to-face with the world’s leading scientists and thinkers.

Physicist and presenter Brian Cox and ‘chef of the decade’ Heston Blumenthal are Guest Directors, and have helped shape a programme with over 100 thought-provoking and innovative events: exploring everything from the natural world and health secrets to the technological wizardry that will shape tomorrow’s world. Top scientists will examine the latest medical technology, debate the future of our climate, explore the next intelligent methods of travel, question the things that affect all our lives – and lots more!

‘Decadence’ is the theme of 2010: luxurious, self-indulgent, and a subject sure to spark debate, live experiments and surprising discoveries. Big thinkers Paul Davies, Tony Robinson, Bill Bryson, Ok Pannenborg, Evan Davis and many others descend on the Festival; and Robin Ince returns with Ben Miller for a science and comedy collision – all based at Cheltenham Town Hall.

The Society is supporting the British Society for Immunology, the Society for Endocrinology, the Physiological Society, the British Pharmacological Society and the Biochemical Society as sponsors of events at the 2010 festival.  Events can be booked using the following links:

Jenner's Legacy - Wednesday 9th June 8pm

Blame it on the hormones - Thursday 10th June 8.15pm

Asthma - Friday 11th June 4pm

Chocolate - Friday 11th June 8.15pm

Please join us on 9-13 June 2010 - the full programme is available here.

Click here to sign up for their free newsletter to stay up to date.

For more information about Cheltenham 2010 click here.

The British Science Association Festival

When: 14th-19th September 2010

Where: Aston University, Birmingham

The British Science Festival is the one of the main UK annual science communication and public engagement events. Annually, it attracts approx. 30,000 visitors and receives a high level of press coverage.

The Festival promotes a wide variety of events including workshops for school children, talks and debates for the general public as well as drop-in events and exhibitions. We are responsible for organising the programme for the Biology Section of the Festival, ensuring that all areas of biology are well represented and that there is an exciting and innovative programme to inspire all.  

To see the programme of Biology events that the Society of Biology is supporting along with: Asthma UK, Aston University, Biochemical Society, British Ecological Society, British Pharmacological Society, Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management, Macaulay Land Use Research Institute, Physiological Society, Society for Endocrinology, Society for Experimental Biology download the programme on the right hand side.

Getting involved.....

What's in it for your organisation?

• Actively engage with the general public and school children to provide learning opportunities.
• Work together with other societies as part of the Society of Biology and promote the discipline of biology to the general public.
• Opportunities to interact with the media and promote your area of biology to the press.
• Promoting your area of biology and your individual organisaition through these well respected, established events.

Don’t have much time or money?

We welcome input at any level. This can be from suggesting a topic or a speaker who may be suitable, to organising an event. We aim to actively promote collaborations between organisations and support all Organisational Members, no matter what their budget or time restrictions, to engage with the public.

To find out more about getting involved please contact the education department.