Science in the Square: out of this world!

An estimated 2,000 people attended Science in the Square in Events Square, Falmouth, on Friday 17 August. Visitors with children aged five and upwards packed into the five special zones, where they examined skulls and feathers and came face to face with cockroaches, birds of prey and local marine life. A whole host of hands-on activities gave them a chance to use microscopes and make space satellites. Meanwhile younger visitors enjoyed the free bouncy castle, had their faces painted and took part in craft activities inspired by the natural world.

Scientists from the College of Life and Environmental Sciences, based at the Cornwall Campus, gave interactive presentations to a packed audience who learned about meerkats, bats, birds and examining the Earth from Space.

Professor Stuart Bearhop, Director of Education in Biosciences at the Cornwall Campus, said: “Science in the Square showed us that many people, including several budding young scientists, share our passion for science. The event was a fantastic opportunity for us to share with local people and holiday-makers the amazing science that is happening here in Cornwall. We were overwhelmed by the number of people who came to the event and by the extremely positive response we had. This was a chance for us to give something back to the local community that supports us in so many ways and I’d like to thank everyone who helped make the event happen and all our visitors who came along to get involved. We’d also like to thank the organisers of Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week and South West Bars for their support. We very much hope to take part in Falmouth Week again in the future.”