Get Stuck Into British Science Week With Bats And Robots

Laura Reynolds
By Laura Reynolds Last edited 96 months ago
Get Stuck Into British Science Week With Bats And Robots
Bats take centre stage at the Grant Museum of Zoology

London's good at science, there's no two ways about it. So we're pretty chuffed that British Science Week is giving London a chance to show off its credentials.

There's a Bunsen burner-fuelled smorgasbord of events, aimed at people of all ages across the city. These are the ones we like the look of most:

Solar system

Space can seem like a daunting prospect, but this free guided walk aimed at school children, brings it down to Earth. Kids can explore a model of our solar system that's been specially constructed on Fortune Green in Hampstead. This is followed by a trip to the Hampstead Scientific Society Observatory where they can ogle the stars and planets for real.
Free, prebook, 11 & 18 March

Where science meets art

Did you know that the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Science Museum used to be one collection: the South Kensington Museum? While the V&A specialises in art and design today, there are still plenty of links to its scientific history. Some of them are revealed on this museum tour.
Free, just turn up, 12 March, 2pm

Bat Week

It's all gone batty at UCL's Grant Museum of Zoology, as Bat Week makes a flap. A series of events celebrates the winged mammals, including a chance to be a bat detective, lunchtime talks from the Bat Conservation Trust, and a family fun day with crafts and origami.
See individual events for price and booking information. 12-19 March

Behind the scenes with Proton Beam Therapy

Proton Beam Therapy uses a beam of protons to eradicate diseased body tissue. Most often, it's used in the treatment of cancer. London will soon be home to one of the UK's two proton beam therapy centres, and this event is a chance to learn about it while it's being built.

A visit to University College London's Hospital is also on the agenda, where proton beam expert Richard Amos will talk about his work.

Aimed at GCSE level students and their families.
Free, prebook, 15 March, 5pm

A robot stole my job

Are self-scan supermarket checkouts the first step to us all being replaced? Will a machine be doing your job in 10 years time?

This debate at Cavendish Conference Centre in Marylebone covers how we should prepare for advances in artificial intelligence, machine vision and physical movement technologies which are allowing machines to carry out more tasks.

Should we, for example, be giving artificial intelligence a role in healthcare or education?
Free, prebook, 16 March, 6.30pm

Imperial College Showcase

For one day only, Imperial College is showcasing the new science that will be being carried out within the BBC’s former White City offices, which will open as a new Imperial campus later this year.

The public will be able to talk to the people behind The Molecular Science Research Hub, as well as getting on hands on with some of the basics of molecular science: making their own scented handcream, and turning London’s waste wood into new biofuels.

Free, prebook, 16 March, 5pm

Nerd Nite

Every month, three speakers give a talk 18-21 minutes in length on a certain subject. For British Science Week, Nerd Nite comes to the Museum of Childhood for an evening of brain science, fossil hunting and evolution.

Dr Caswell Barry, from the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL, explains how your brain knows where you are. Dr Morgan Beeby from Imperial College talks about how life systems evolved, and National Geographic Emerging Explorer Ella Al-Shamahi discusses fossil hunting in the Yemen. Eclectic, huh?
£6/£7.50, prebook, 16 March, 6.30pm

British Science Week takes place 11-20 March with events all around the country. Find out more and see the full list of events taking place.

Last Updated 14 March 2016