Manchester Science Festival events at The Manchester Museum on Fri/Sat
27 Oct 2010
– including a history of chocolate talk, China space activities, bee knitting and Rangoli
Manchester Science Festival talks
Friday 29 October / 1-2pm: Letting George do it: are we over-automating our lives?
George, the colloquial name for autopilot, now looks after our lives in many other areas to. But whilst George was recruited to make our lives easier and more efficient, in many cases he has failed to deliver his full potential. This lecture examines the human factors associated with automation and related technologies from the perspective of human-centred design.
Drop-in, free, adults and older children
Fri 29 October / 3-4pm: The food of gods
It is in fact remarkable that chocolate, as we know it, was ever developed, not only because of its unpromising origins as a fatty drink, but also because of its relatively complicated structure.
This talk looks at the history of chocolate and then reviews its method of manufacture. Here science plays an important role in that both the flow properties and the crystallization. Both must be correct in order to obtain a product with the required weight-control, shape, texture and shelf-life.
The industry has also changed dramatically in recent years from a low through-put craft base, to a highly mechanized one. This has required a more in-depth scientific knowledge to be obtained of both processes and products. Several problems remain to be explored, however.
Free, book on the day, adults and older children
October half term
Manchester Science Festival
Monday 25-Friday 29 October / 11-4pm: China technology
Craft activities based on a Chinese technology theme, as on display in our China: Journey to the East exhibition - see some silk moths and have a go at paper weaving and printing.
Drop-in, free, all ages
Thursday 28 and Friday 29 October / 1-4pm: China space activities
Chinese craft activities based on a space theme. Learn the art of paper folding, paper cutting and Chinese calligraphy. Make a rocket or an airplane. In association with the Confucius Institute at The University of Manchester.
Drop-in any time, free, all ages
Friday 29 October / 11am-12pm: Magic Carpet: toys and games
Get comfy on our magic carpet and enjoy some stories and activities all about toys and games. This session with be BSL interpreted.
Book on 0161 275 2648 (from 22 Oct), £1 per child, under 5s and their families/carers
Friday 29 October / 11-3pm: Learning from nature
Biominetics is the science of taking ideas from nature and using these for engineering. Experts from the University of Bath will be on hand to explain more - with examples of biomimetic models such as unbreakable sunglasses, barbed tapes, flexible coupling without joints, and others.
Drop-in, free, all ages
Saturday 30 October / 1-3pm: Bee knitting
Come along and knit or crochet a bee and learn more about the importance of our small but crucial friend that pollinates the plants to help feed our world. Expert knitters will 'bee' on hand to help novice knitters and a bee expert will be available.
Drop-in, free, all ages
Saturday 30 October / 11am-3pm: The Art of Science: Wriggling Rangoli
Infectious diseases like parasitic worms trap communities into a cycle of poverty and ill-health. Come and see how science, worms, poverty and art have more in common than you may think! Help us create a unique and beautiful piece of traditional Indian art (Rangoli) to demonstrate the role that science can play in reducing world poverty.
Drop-in, free, all ages
To find out more:
- Visit The Manchester Museum's website
or - Sign up for The Manchester Museum's e-news