Science in Park

Malvern Science in the Park

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Alfresco Family Event

Sat. 26th June 2021

Priory Park, Great Malvern

We're keeping on eye on UK Government advice re COVID-19 restrictions, but are hopeful we'll be able to go ahead as planned this year. One contingency is that we may need to timetable access to the various exhibits to keep numbers manageable and avoid crowding. Please keep an eye on this page should we need to ticket the event.

Join us for our fifth annual fun and exciting day exploring the wonders of science and technology in the open air from 10:30am to 4:30pm.

More details nearer the time...

Look back at our programme from previous years: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017

#InnovateMalvern, #ScienceInPark

Contributors

If you are an organisation that would like to demonstrate or exhibit something, please register here.
If you are a science communicator who would like to science busk, please register here.
If you are a STEM Ambassador who would like to help out during the day, please contact our local This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. directly.
We've written this up in the style of an academic paper.

Activites for all the family

Experiments, games and demonstrations showcasing science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

We'll add more as they are confirmed...

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

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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)

Science buskers

Be captivated by explanations of the scientific world around us, delivered from the bandstand.

We'll add details as they are confirmed...

Science trails

Seek out scientific facts, figures and artefacts hidden in the park.

	Dinosaur detective trail: No longer Priory Park, but Jurassic Park! Find the six species of dinosaur roaming nearby and draw your favourite one.
	Interplanetary trail: Tour the park looking for the Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and minor planet Pluto. All set out to the scale of their distance from the sun. Can you also find the asteroid belt, some comets and one or two man made probes? Just how far will you have to walk?
	Materials around us trail: Can you find examples of metals, polymers, ceramics, glass, and composites within Priory Park? Read the information cards to better understand why some materials are well suited to certain uses whilst others simply are not.
	Microscopy trail: Equip yourself with a fresnel hand-lens and pack of colouring pencils from the information desk, and scout around the park for specimens to examine closely and sketch.
	Microbe hunt: Can you spot the generally nasty (but also furry!) viruses and bacteria dispersed around the park? Try not to catch a cold or chicken pox, and definitely avoid typhoid. Draw all ten of these biohazards in your laboratory notebook.

Photo call

All you Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram fans can take a piccy at our photo booths and share for fun with the hashtag #ScienceInPark

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.

An experiment

There will be lots of experiments taking place, but here is one that you can help us with...

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.

Thanks to Dr Alan Smith CPhys, FInstP from West Midland Branch of the IoP for his help with the organisation of this event.

2020 Photo Album

2020 feedback

"Boys enjoying it." Hilarie O. [with photo]

"I wanted to express our gratitude for the time and organisation that you put into creating the [virtual] Malvern Science in the Park event and all of the speakers who made it a great success in our household. My twelve year old daughter was instantly consumed with the fascinating topics, engaging speakers and stayed focused on the event for its duration." Paul K.

2019 Photo Album

2019 feedback

"What a brilliant event. Boys loved it. They tried everything and have filled their booklets with stickers. Want to go next year too. Lovely people. Thank you.” Hilarie O.

"We had more children and parents than last year! I didn't sit down at all all day. It was fantastic. Thank you so much for our invitation." Fizz Pop Science

"The Institute of Physics activities were a definite favourite for us. Thank you very much to the guy who took the time to thoroughly explain everything to my two children. They were totally inspired. Hope to see you there next year!" Angela

"Well done for setting up such a engaging event! Our family really enjoyed it." E.H.

2018 Photo Album

2018 feedback

"Thanks for all your hard work organising the event. We had a brilliant time as did lots of T's friends from Somers Park school” Bob H.

"We had a fantastic day out, it was an excellent event, many thanks!" Gabriella K.

"Thank you for a wonderful day out! The event was a lot of fun." Rhian J.

"It was great to see so many families in the sunshine enjoying Science in the Park. There are few other places where people of all ages have the opportunity to come along, experience the breadth and depth of science and how it impacts on all our daily lives, learn something new and have a lot of fun at the same time. You could see that happening all over Priory Park on Saturday" Prof Paul Hardaker, CEO, Institute of Physics

"I was staggered by the ingenuity of so many presenters in finding clever, innovative ways to convey interesting scientific concepts with limited equipment out in the open air. I really enjoyed the day out and so did my 13 year old grandson. We will certainly go again next year.” Prof John McWhirter, FRS

2017 Photo Album

2017 feedback

"I just want to say a huge thank you for organising Science in the Park last Saturday. My grandsons - 3 & 5 stayed all day and tears at the end when we left. They interacted with every stall and just loved it. Everyone was so patient and kind and yet must have been exhausted by the end of the day. Hope to see you next year!” Sally T.

"Congratulations on this Science in the Park event and on behalf of all my family we like to say a job well done." K.C.

"And thanks from me too. My girls had a great time.” Ian E.

"Thanks for organising Science in the Park, I was on the IoP stand and received a constant stream of children getting involved in the activities. It was a great day and I had some feedback from friends who brought their children: 'I hope they do this again next year – the children loved it’. Also as a STEM ambassador I felt proud to be part of such an inspiring event” Jennifer J.

"Event last week was great. My son hasn’t stopped talking about the bridge building.” Judy C.