Leeds Science Festival back for 12th year

Having a go at keyhole surgery and learning the chemistry of chocolate are just two of the exciting events planned for this year's Leeds Festival of Science.
5 March 2016.....Leeds Festival of Science - Explore the Power of Water at Thwaite Mill in Leeds.Learning  Officer Steve Hutcheon. Picure Scott Merrylees5 March 2016.....Leeds Festival of Science - Explore the Power of Water at Thwaite Mill in Leeds.Learning  Officer Steve Hutcheon. Picure Scott Merrylees
5 March 2016.....Leeds Festival of Science - Explore the Power of Water at Thwaite Mill in Leeds.Learning Officer Steve Hutcheon. Picure Scott Merrylees

Now in its 12th year, the festival is back from March 4 to 31 at venues across the city and organisers at the University of Leeds promise there will be “something for everyone”.

Running alongside the sold-out schools programme, the activities and talks planned for the public offer a fun look at the key fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

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One of the festival’s highlights this year is ‘The Ensonglopedia of Science’, where multi-award-winning writer and performer John Hinton takes to the stage at the Carriageworks Theatre to sing a song about science for every letter of the alphabet.

The public can have a go at keyhole surgery at this year's Leeds Festival of ScienceThe public can have a go at keyhole surgery at this year's Leeds Festival of Science
The public can have a go at keyhole surgery at this year's Leeds Festival of Science

The family-friendly event takes place on Saturday 11 March with pre-booked tickets available.

Other venues hosting the festival this year include the university campus, Leeds City Museum and St James’ Hospital, where visitors can get hands-on with keyhole surgery using the training equipment surgeons use to practice their skills.

At the same time, festival-goers can enjoy a talk by Dr Ryan Matthew, a brain cancer surgeon who is doing research involving growing ‘mini brains’ from patient tumour samples, on Monday March 27 at 2pm.

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On Saturday March 18, Leeds City Museum hosts Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society’s science fair which offers interactive displays covering the wonders of astronomy to the chemistry of chocolate and DIY sherbet.

The public can have a go at keyhole surgery at this year's Leeds Festival of ScienceThe public can have a go at keyhole surgery at this year's Leeds Festival of Science
The public can have a go at keyhole surgery at this year's Leeds Festival of Science

Dr Ruth Holland, one of the festival organisers at the University of Leeds, said: “The festival is all about engaging people with science in new and fun ways. We want to fuel everyone’s enthusiasm for science, especially children’s. The festival’s wide range of activities should have something for everyone.”

The Festival of Science coincides with British Science Week, which runs from March 10-19 and is organised by the British Science Association to promote science, technology, engineering and maths activities across the UK to people of all ages.

To see the full list of events, and booking information, visit www.stem.leeds.ac.uk/events/lfos/