International Year of the Periodic Table

2019 has been designated by UNESCO as the International Year of the Periodic Table (IYPT), marking the 150th anniversary of the Mendeleev periodic table, which is an iconic image and a vital tool to all who learn and work in science, at all stages of their learning and careers.

#IYPT2019

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, is committed to making IT good for society. They champion the global IT profession and the interests of individuals, engaged in that profession, for the benefit of all. The impact of IT on modern society is greater than ever, it's down to all of us to ensure it is positive.

@bcs

Cancer Research UK funds scientists, doctors and nurses to help beat cancer sooner. Their ambition is to accelerate progress and see three-quarters of people surviving the disease within the next 20 years. The registered charity also provides cancer information to the public. Come along to take part in some exciting activities that will help explain what cancer is and the research that is being done to tackle it.

@CRUKBirmingham

The Herefordshire & Worcestershire Earth Heritage Trust is a charity that aims to record, protect and promote geology and landscape, and to raise awareness of this Earth Heritage by engaging the public in educational programmes. At the event, they will have rocks and minerals on display, and some geology-related activities to keep you busy including encouraging you to be a dinosaur detective.  Vernon the velociraptor will be there weather permitting!

@BuildingStones

Throughout the day Fizzy Dizzy and Solar Stu from Fizz Pop Science will enthuse you with hands-on science activities, including chemsitry experiments of turning a liquid into a solid with slime.

@FizzPopParty

Flux Moving Science explores innovative ways of translating scientific principles into theatrical form. They provide a platform to educate, communicate and discuss scientific ideas, research and theories within local communities, in a way which is captivating and engaging, formative yet accessible.  Their pioneering approach to science communication and education has been recognised and supported throughout the UK. Their team will be encouraging you to participate in fun science-related dance workshops in the park throughout the day.

@FluxDance

With guiding girls have fun, adventure and the space to discover their potential.  They go to their first ever sleepover, canoe on rivers, learn about body confidence, and lead their own camp. Or sometimes they simply have fun and try new things with friends.  In particular, girls can take an interest in science and experimentation, and complete a series or activities and investigations to get the legacy science badge or new investigating badge. Find out more at their stand.

@GirlGuiding

For over 140 years the Institution of Engineering & Technology (The IET) has been inspiring, informing and influencing the global engineering community; supporting technology innovation to meet the needs of society. Come to complete the assembly of a Mediaeval siege engine experiment before trying it out to see how well your finished design works.

@TheIET

Institution of Mechanical Engineers works with leading companies, universities, and think tanks to create and share knowledge, fresh thinking and authoritative guidance on all aspects of mechanical engineering. At the park, the IMechE will be hosting a model bridge building competition and demonstrating a manually operated hydraulic robot arm.

@IMechE, @IMechE_Worcs

Institute of Physics is a leading scientific society; a charitable organisation with a worldwide membership of more than 50,000, working together to advance physics education, research and application. Join them at the event to take part in various hands-on physics experiments including blowing large bubbles, understanding bouncing balls, exploring the way slinkies travel down steps, trying out balloon helicopters, testing ‘exploding’ lolly sticks, as well as investigating pendula, rope waves, and grass whistles.

@iophwc, @PhysicsNews

Malvern Panalytical is a leading provider of scientific instrumentation for the measurement of elemental concentrations, crystallographic structures, molecular structure, remote sensing, rheology, particle size, particle shape, particle concentration and more. We're delighted that this home-grown, world-leading science company is joining us in the park this year.

@newsfrom_MP

The Met Office team will be performing fun experiments to learn more about the effects of air pressure, how clouds form and forecasting. Hopefully there won't be any dark clouds forming at the event, but if there are, you'll be able to understand how and why!

@metoffice

MRATHS - Malvern Radar and Technology History Society - tells the stories of Malvern's science heritage through exhibitions, talks and visits to schools. They'll have a sports Doppler radar on display to measure how fast you can run. Will you be the fastest?

Steve Dawes, a local STEM Ambassador and regular contributor to the monthly family and adult Malvern Raspberry Jam Pi computer sessions at the Wyche Innovation Centre, will demonstrate a working Raspberry Pi weather station in the park. Hopefully it will be measuring a high ambient temperature, high air pressure, and no precipitation!

John Bibby, a local STEM Ambassador and electronic engineer, will once again be at mission control helping you to launch compressed air rockets to see which can reach the highest altitude. To infinity and beyond!

Schoolasaurus provides a fun-filled educational service that aims to give young people a unique, creative experience whilst they learn about rocks, minerals, dinosaurs and fossils that are found in their local area.

@SchoolasaurusUK

Each year, The Reading Agency sets a Summer Reading Challenge to encourage school-aged children to read more over their summer break. This year, it has a science theme called Space Chase. The Summer Reading Challenge combines FREE access to books with fun, creative activities in the library during the summer holidays. Throughout the Challenge, library staff and young volunteers support the children, helping them to discover new authors and illustrators and to explore a wide range of different types of books and ways of reading that link in to key Space Chase themes including exploration, endeavour, imagination, creativity and friendship. Worcestershire County Council's Libraries and Learning Services will be launching the county's challenge at the event, be on hand to give more information about the initiative, and they'll be offering some fun hands-on space-related science activities to inspire you to read more.

@worcscc, @readingagency, #SpaceChase

STEM Ambassadors use their enthusiasm and commitment to encourage young people to enjoy STEM subjects. They open the doors to a world of opportunities and possibilities which come from pursuing STEM subjects and careers. STEM Ambassadors not only inspire young people, they also support teachers in the classroom by explaining current applications of STEM in industry or research.

@STEMLearningUK (@STEMNET previously)

The Department of Oncology from the University of Oxford undertakes clinical and basic cancer research through multidisciplinary collaboration and scientific interaction with the ultimate goal of increasing cancer cure rates. Their outreach team will be joining us to explain, through interactive activities, the science of proton beam therapy and how MRI scans can help to successfully target cancers. Can you identify a chocolate bar from its CT scan? If you can, you may be able to help us predict which radiotherapy plan is best for our computer mouse.

@OCTO_Oxford, @UniofOxford

The University of Worcester's  Institute of Science & the Environment will be on hand with a selection of biological science displays and activities.  Microscopes at the ready.

@worcester_uni

Usborne science books include flap books and sticker books that explain key concepts in a fun and interactive way, and encyclopaedias and illustrated dictionaries that support homework at every level. Come along to test your aeronautical engineering skills by making and launching a paper plane and see how far it flies compared to the competition. You'll also be able to browse and buy some of their titles and models.

@Usborne

Worcester Astronomical Society was founded in 1984 by a group of local amateur astronomers to promote astronomy. They hold meetings throughout the year, with many special events including exhibitions, observing evenings and visits to places of astronomical interest. At this event, they will demonstrate the hydrogen-alpha telescope to see solar prominences, and another telescope with a solar filter to see Sun spots (let's hope it is sunny!).

Dr Mark O'Dell. Fossils - a Window into the Past.

Local paleontologist Mark will talk about the tools he uses to find, extract and clean-up fossils. He's found interesting samples to the west of the Malvern Hills and a little further afield in the Cotswolds. If we're lucky he may have a nodule or two to crack open to see what's indside - the first time the interior has been exposed for millions of years!

Christine Swan and Richard Henson - Visits from the Past.

Christine, an experienced computer science teacher and visiting lecturer at Birmingham City University, will be apeearing as Ada Lovelace. And she'll be joined by Richard, Senior Lecturer from the University of Worcester, as Charles Babbage. Call the TARDIS for these time travellers to arrive through space-time and listen to them talk about life as a celebrated mathematicians and logicians.

@chris_swan & @RichardHenson3

Nicky Thomas - Physics for fun.

Experienced science teacher Nicky will talk about some exciting physics topics. Nicky also works for the Institute of Physics's Diversity department, with schools in the West Midlands and South West.

@NickyThomas1

Revathi Timms - 3D printing.

Engineer Revathi will explain how 3D printing works and some of the applications it is being used for. She is the executive director of Avatar Enterprise Ltd and has designed, built and marketed her own brand of 3D printers from right here in the Midlands.

@Avatar3D

Sarah Cosgriff - Forces and flight

Science communicator Sarah will talk about different forces and the science behind flight. She'll also be running hands-on workshops during the day in which you can build your own helicopters and fizzy rockets. Sarah has a Masters in Systems Biology from the University of Warwick and now works in the Improving Gender Balance team at the Institute of Physics.

@Sarah_Cosgriff

Dr Adrian Burden. Carbon Carbon Everywhere.

Adrian, the lead organiser of Malvern Science in the Park, used to research carbon using electron microscopes. As we're a little short on science buskers to fill the programme this year, he'll be dredging up some interesting facts from his hazy memory about the element carbon and how it forms various different allotropes like graphite, diamond and C60 fullerenes.

@apburden

Dinosaur detective trail: No longer Priory Park, but Jurassic Park! Find the six species of dinosaur roaming nearby and draw your favourite one.

Elementary, my dear Watson! Your turn to be Sherlock Holmes. To mark the International Year of the Periodic Table and with help from the Royal Society of Chemistry, we've selected information about six elements for you to find.  What is the name of the famous scientist that their chemical symbols spell? 

The Big Bang Theory: One day we'll try to get the real actors, but in the meantime, you'll have to make do with our life-size cardboard cutouts. Featuring Amy (neuroscientist), Bernadette (microbiologist), Howard (aerospace engineer), Leonard (experimental physicist), and of course Sheldon (theoretical physicist).

@bigbangtheory

Mad Lab: Scientists aren't really all mad, but you can put on an Einstein wig, labcoat and safety specs to look a bit crazy if you'd like.

Trans-park communication dishes: We've sourced a couple of parabolic dishes that are used for directional sound recordings, and we're wondering how well we'll be able to communicate between the two across Priory Park. We have no idea if it will work or not, so come along, try it out for yourself, and see what the results are like.