The second Windermere Science Festival drew a large crowd to the Windermere Jetty Museum.
Over the weekend, over 1,000 individuals came, and another 1,000 youngsters participated in their science outreach in schools.
From Dan Fox’s magnificent sound sculptures to the 1911 Waterbird aircraft model, the entire arena came alive with science.
Windermere Lake Cruises stopped by for visitors to say hello, and R2-D2 and Chewbacca thrilled the audience.
Greg Foot, a BBC broadcaster, imparted his scientific knowledge and enthralled listeners by introducing them to the recently found Hoff crab.
Canoeists learned about Windermere’s ecology with Dr. Ellie Mackay, while tourists learned about local ornithology while enjoying a journey on a historic boat.
A total of 75 paper boats raced across the museum’s pond, with budding marine engineers allowed to make and paddle their own homemade cardboard boats.
Professor Pumpernickel and Kerry Jay wowed the audience with their science displays, while the Royal Society of Chemistry, Artfly, and James Cropper provided amazing interactive demonstrations.
The Lakeland Arts MEND van provided creative activities, pollinator activities were lead by Langdale CofE Primary School and Crosthwaite CofE Primary School, and Captain Andy Brown spoke about the importance of pollinators to us all.
The British Antarctic Survey and the museum’s lead conservation boatbuilder Stephen Beresford gave briefings to visitors.
Bowness’ Arts Bar provided exquisite Bond inspired cocktails to those who attended Dr Katherine Harkup’s discussion on the science of James Bond.
The event was created in collaboration with Lakeland Arts, the non-profit organisation that operates Windermere Jetty Museum.
“Amidst all the fun, there was much serious science taking place,” stated festival director Nick Greenall. I hope we’ve shown that science is for everyone and that it can be a fascinating trip regardless of your scientific interests. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event a success, especially our partners Lakeland Arts.”
Lakeland Arts CEO Rhian Harris commented, “It was brilliant to see so many young people and their families engaging with science right across our Windermere Jetty Museum site.
Jon is a regular contributor to several outdoor living and lifestyle news publications, concentrating on The Lake District. Now living in Glenridding, Jon studied journalism at Edinburgh University.
