Brave New World for Be Curious
Where can you order some sweets from a robot, discover details about an alien invasion or play a giant game of Operation?
Marty Jopson, resident scientist for the BBC's One Show, will be entertaining the crowds at Be Curious 2019
These and other fascinating attractions feature in the fourth annual instalment of the hugely popular Be Curious research open day.
This year's theme is 'Brave New World' as we once again seek to engage the public in the pioneering studies undertaken at Leeds by showcasing some of our world-leading research in an easily accessible format.
More than 40 exciting activities will be on offer on Saturday 30 March across several locations on campus, including Parkinson Court and the School of Music, where visitors will be given the rare chance to play a Steinway piano.
Free, interactive, family-friendly fun is the order of the day, with stalls for all ages running from 10am to 4pm. Children can also take part in a sticker trail.
One of the highlights is a performance of Invisible Worlds with TV's Marty Jopson, from 1pm in the Rupert Beckett Theatre. Take a journey from everyday life, down into the realm of microscopic wonders with the BBC One Show’s resident scientist.
The adventure begins with things you can almost see, but soon you will find yourself in a world totally invisible to the unaided eye. Marty will take you from the very beginnings of microscopy, through hugely magnified insects, bacteria and plants to the most up-to-date fluorescent techniques demonstrated live. A show not just full of stunning images, but interactive demonstrations and samples harvested from the audience. You have been warned!
Limited tickets for the Invisible Worlds show are available on the day on a first come, first served basis.
Be Curious has become a favourite way for many researchers to share a flavour of their work with the wider community, while others see it as the perfect opportunity to take their first steps in Public Engagement (PE). Many of those who attend the event are children enjoying their first taste of university life.
Dr Charlotte Haigh is Associate Professor in Human Physiology at Leeds and Academic Lead for Public Engagement with Research. She said: “This annual open day goes from strength to strength, with more than 40 stalls this year allowing everyone to 'have a go’. It’s a great opportunity to find out more about the research being undertaken here at Leeds
“And we're really excited to be joined by Marty Jopson.”
A full list of attractions will appear on the Be Curious website closer to the date, together with a link to download the programme and a map of events. You can also access the latest updates on Facebook.
Refreshments can be bought at the cafés in Parkinson Court and the Laidlaw Library.
Parking is available in the multi-story car park, payable by debit or credit card on exiting (free to staff if their car is registered). Bus routes, including 1, 6, 28 and 97, all stop outside the Parkinson Building from H10 stop on The Headrow in the city centre.
So, step into a Brave New World by taking your family and friends to Be Curious 2019.