Science here for a nine-day week

National Science & Engineering week lasts from 15th to 24th March this year. This is the 20th annual event, and there’s plenty on offer for Londoners to enjoy.

Here are some of the highlights. For more details, view the online programme at www.nsew.org.uk. 

Voice of the Future 2013
20 March 2013, 09:00-12:00
The Society of Biology is organising, on behalf of the science and engineering community, Voice of the Future 2013. It is a unique opportunity for young scientists and engineers, including A-level students, to participate in a Science Question Time with Members of the House of Commons Select Committee on Science & Technology.
In the surroundings of a committee room in Parliament, young scientists and engineers will sit in the seats normally reserved for MPs. The MPs themselves will appear before the “committee” as “witnesses” to answer questions from the scientists.
Event location: Portcullis House, 1 Bridge St, London SW1A 2JH
Open to: Everyone (public viewing), young scientists and engineers (apply to be on the committee)
Admission cost: Free
Website: http://www.societyofbiology.org/newsandevents/events/view/574
Contact details: Rebecca Nesbit, rebeccanesbit@societyofbiology.org

Invention & Discovery Walks
16, 17 & 23 March 2013, 16:30-18:30
London’s streets have tales of invention and discovery around almost every corner. These guided walks tour around the homes and haunts of scientists and inventors has those stories coming thick and fast. Some famous names from history will be featured – but also are unsung heroes and lesser known sites. The tour includes diverse topics from the comic to the ghoulish and from the domestic to the cosmic.
The walks are aimed at the layperson and any accompanying children and pets that enjoy history or science.
Event location: Various, starting at Holborn Underground Station, London WC2B 6AA
Open to: Everyone, pre-booking required
Admission cost: £10 (£8 London Historians Members, £6 Early Birds)
Website: www.laurenceswalks.co.uk
Contact details: Laurence Scales, 0208 540 7916, laurence@laurenceswalks.co.uk

How to Bake a Universe
19 March 2013, 19:00-20:00
Tired of baking the same old cakes? Why not try this lovely dish which will expand to fill you up while containing precisely zero calories. The Higgs field gives this dish comforting solidity with slightly spicy overtones of heavier elements coming from a liberal scattering of supernova explosions, all bathed in a microwave coulis. You will require in your kitchen some form of time symmetry violation to make sure there is some matter left over after the anti-matter has been absorbed during the baking phase. This isn’t the easiest dish to cook but with the assistance of Dr Malcolm Fairbairn, your dark energy will rise properly, without losing the grittiness of your galactic structure.
Event location: Kings College London, Strand Campus, WC2R 2LS
Open to: Everyone, pre-booking required
Admission cost: Free
Website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/feedyourmind/tue-19-mar.aspx
Contact details: Richard
Palmer, 0207 848 3382, pe@kcl.ac.uk

The Big Bang Fair
14-17 March 2013, 09:30-17:50
The Big Bang Fair is the UK’s largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people, and features the finals of the National Science + Engineering Competition. The Big Bang Fair 2013 will take place from 14-17 March 2013 at ExCeL, London, boasting theatre shows, hands-on activities and the chance to talk to some of the UK’s leading companies. The Fair shows young people the exciting and rewarding science and engineering careers available. Schools groups are invited on Thursday and Friday 14th & 15th March, while we will be welcoming family groups on Saturday and Sunday 16th and 17th.
Event location: ExCeL London, One Western Gateway, Victoria Dock Rd, London, E16 1XL
Open to: Everyone, pre-booking required
Admission cost: Free
Website: www.thebigbangfair.co.uk