51³Ô¹ÏÍø

The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Festival will take place on 11 and 12 May - New release

51³Ô¹ÏÍø News Release

For immediate release
Monday 30 April 2012

Robotic surgery, spray-on-clothing and science stand-up feature among the music, comedy and science demonstrations at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s first public festival

**Festival open on 11 and 12 May**

Where can you analyse your fingerprints, try your hand at surgery and have a pint with a professor, while listening to music and comedy?

The answer is the first public festival held by one of the world’s leading science-focused universities, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. The Festival features everything from forensics to robots and artwork to enterprise through a programme of hands-on research demonstrations, talks, workshops and street performances.

Free and open to all, the 51³Ô¹ÏÍø Festival takes place at the College’s South Kensington Campus, in London’s museum quarter, a short walk from both South Kensington underground station and Hyde Park. The Festival gives visitors of all ages the chance to chat directly with 51³Ô¹ÏÍø researchers and:

•  Debate issues of the day with soapbox scientists
•  Make your own planisphere for some private star gazing
•  Discover how we saved the Leaning Tower of Pisa from leaning too far
•  Explore new Paralympic technologies
•  Find out what a gramophone DJ is and tap your toe to his tunes

Natasha Martineau, Head of Research Communications at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, said:

“This is the first time we’ve thrown open our doors on such a scale, to reveal the wonderful and surprising world of 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. The Friday evening will be a great night out in central London, and the Saturday promises to be a terrific day of family entertainment and a chance to see what scientific discoveries and innovations are coming next from 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.”

Drop in

Members of the public can drop in at any time during the Festival.

Address: 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, Exhibition Road, South Kensington Campus, SW7 2AZ.
Admission: free
Dates and opening hours: Friday 11 May (18.00 – 22.00) and Saturday 12 May (12.00 – 18.00).

Website:

For further information contact:
J-P Jones
51³Ô¹ÏÍø Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6704

Email: john-paul.jones@imperial.ac.uk

 Simon Watts
51³Ô¹ÏÍø Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6701

Email: s.watts@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to Editors:

 About 51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 14,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering an d business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. 

Since its foundation in 1907, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve global health, tackle climate change, develop sustainable sources of energy and address security challenges.

In 2007, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø College Healthcare NHS Trust formed the UK's first Academic Health Science Centre. This unique partnership aims to improve the quality of life of patients and populations by taking new discoveries and translating them into new therapies as quickly as possible.