SciFest 2018 was very special. It was our tenth SciFest.
It doesn’t seem 20 years ago that a group of teachers and friends of the Bourne schools started to plan for the millennium. We wanted to hold a festival to promote enjoyment and interest in science for the schoolchildren in Bourne. SciFest 2000 was the result.
Since then, the personnel of the organising committee have seen some changes and SciFest has grown from two days to a week-long extravaganza of science. Now it includes evening shows, Saturday workshops and the primary schools in the local area (not just in Bourne), but what hasn’t changed is our aim to give every primary school child in the Bourne area and interested adults the opportunity to enjoy nationally acclaimed science presenters so that they can share our excitement in and enthusiasm for science.
SciFest 2018 ran from Monday 1st October to Saturday 6th October with a ‘taster’ evening show on Thursday 3rd May.
"Apparently we want to have SciFest again next week!"
A Key Stage 2 Teacher
"This was the best ever SciFest!"
A parent who brought the family to both evening shows
More than 2500 youngsters and a goodly number of adults experienced SciFest 2018, as a result of the support of:
- Our generous sponsors
- Our brilliant presenters
- Our participating schools
- The organising committee: Helen Ackrill, Gill Bell, Hilary Bloomer, Gerry Burrows, Natalie Lamb, Christine Moss, Paul Nolan, Andi Rushworth, Rachael Porteus, Suzanne Stevens, Jenni Trafford, Patrick Winn
- Gill Arnold and Duncan and Wendy Cameron for their support
Our Sponsors
We are extremely grateful to our generous sponsors: Baston C of E Primary School, Bourne Abbey C of E Primary Academy, Bourne Baptist Church, Bourne Lions, Bourne Town Council, Bourne United Charities, Bourne Westfield Primary Academy, Double & Megson Solicitors, Morton C of E Primary School, Northup Grumman Park Air Systems, Perkins Engines Company Limited, Rotary Club of Bourne, Round Table of Bourne and District, Royal Society of Chemistry South Umbria Branch, Santos Print, Sophie Allport, South Kesteven District Council, Bourne Subway, Tesco Bags of Help, The Len Pick Trust, Warners (Midland) PLC, Waterside Garden Centre, Wild Heart Café, Witham Hall Preparatory School
As a result of this fantastic sponsorship, we were able to keep to one of our fundamental and dearest principles: presentations are free to schools and only a nominal fee is charged for the ‘out of school’ events.
Participating Schools
Our presenters visited: Baston Primary School, Bourne Abbey Primary Academy, Bourne Elsea Park Primary Academy, Bourne Westfield Primary Academy, Edenham Primary School, Kirkstone House School, Langtoft Primary School, Morton Primary School, St Bartholomew’s Primary School, West Pinchbeck, St Gilbert’s Primary School, Pointon, The Willoughby School, Thurlby Primary School, Witham Hall School
Our thanks to the schools for being very flexible and accommodating, meaning that we were able to arrange for all of the schools to host all of the presenters of their choice.
Students in all key stages were involved in SciFest.
Community Shows
Thursday 3th May 2018 at Witham Hall School, Dr Matt Pritchard
Matt delighted us with a real treasure chest of science magic! We chose the order in which Matt opened the drawers of the chest. Each drawer ‘contained’ a fascinating fact or an amazing piece of science magic, every item linked to a great (though not always famous) scientist from the past.
Matt made us all – adults and youngsters alike – think and question. He fascinated and amused us with the ideas he put before us. Dr Pritchard was brilliant as always.
Tuesday 2nd October 2018 at Bourne Corn Exchange, Matthew Tosh
Wow! What an evening. There was a full house at the Corn Exchange to see Matthew Tosh with his fabulous show 'Fireworks - Real Science or Just Bangs?'. Matthew took us through how the various fireworks are made, how the colours and noises and shapes are produced. All the information was delivered in an entertaining way and illustrated with great demonstrations. He also showed us how firework displays are set up and set off. November 5th will never be the same!
Thursday 4th October 2018 at Bourne Corn Exchange, James Soper
James Soper brought his new show, 'Your Big Beautiful Biased Brain', to the Corn Exchange on Thursday October 4th. Our brain is the most amazing and surprising machine in the universe and James let us into the secrets of just how it works and what it does. He took each of the words 'Big', 'Beautiful' and 'Biased' and told us, with lots of fascinating illustrations, how they applied to our brains. James worked as a psychologist before becoming a science presenter and so this show is a real return to his roots. Classic theories and the most up-to-date research were presented in a way understandable for the whole family.
Saturday 6th October 2018 at Bourne Baptist Church, Earthbound Misfits
Three Circus Skills Workshops. A host of youngsters and their parents had a fabulous time with Mark Atkinson, ably assisted by Neil, learning how to juggle, spin plates, balance on the walking ball and other circus skills. A great time was had by all!
Presenters in Schools
Our presenters gave three shows each day, two in the morning and one in the afternoon.
Chris Knowles, the Zoolab Ranger, introduced the children to a number of mini-beasts and described the differences in behaviour and habitat and how to look after the animals. Those who wished were allowed to handle the animals if it was safe to do so.
Dr Matt Pritchard's Science Magic show delivered a high energy, non-stop performance which amazed pupils. With the aid of super magic tricks that are based on science, Matt introduced the students to scientific method. He encouraged the children try to explain how the 'tricks' worked - pupil engagement was guaranteed!
Dave Shaw had his audience enthralled as he took them on a journey to visit the Rainforests and the people and animals who live in them. Dave's humorous approach both entertained and amazed the children as they learnt about life in the rainforest.
Who is the World's Greatest Athlete? James Soper answered this question in his new show, Faster, Higher, Stronger. He explained and demonstrated the fascinating science behind being the fastest, throwing the furthest and jumping the furthest and highest.
Earthbound Misfit Mark Atkinson’s performance used the arts of circus, comedy and street theatre to explain all about forces.
The students were treated to a journey through space in Mick Morton’s stardome with Starlincs. He told them stories about the night sky. He explained and illustrated many phenomena such as the seasons and night and day in an easily understood and interesting way.
Rob Louth from Exotic Animal Encounters brought into the classroom a variety of exotic animals such as a massive tortoise, an impressive snake, a meercat, a tarantula and a desert fox. Rob described the lives of the animals and had a fund of amusing anecdotes. His care and love of his animals was clear to all and he allowed the children to hold and touch the animals if they wished.
Publicity
This year we had considerable press coverage in the local papers: the Stamford Mercury, Lincolnshire Free Press, Bourne Local and Discovering Bourne.
Summary
Our sponsors, the Primary Schools in Bourne and District, our Presenters and the SciFest Team together made SciFest 2018 possible.
We were able to reach more than 2500 young people and bring science to them, whatever the size or wealth of their school, in an entertaining and exciting way that they will remember for the rest of their lives.
One of our key principles is to make SciFest a ‘family’ festival which is why our evening shows are so important. This year our new venture, Saturday Juggling Workshops, certainly brought the whole family together and it was brilliant to see Mums and Dads learning to juggle – and having tremendous fun –with their children.
Our presenters, as always, put in a tremendous amount of energy and enthusiasm and inspired all with their obvious love of science. This was a milestone tenth SciFest and was arguably the best yet. We hope that the next SciFest will be even better.