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Tune into a musical workshop for babies, brand your own smoothie, take a look round the labs, interact with a scarecrow robot or catch one of the mini public lectures. These are just a handful of the exciting activities taking place on Saturday 13 September when Lancaster University stages a Community Activities Day on campus. The event has been arranged as part of the University’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Through an action-packed programme of imaginative and innovative activities, from 11am to 5pm, the University is keen to provide an insight into life on campus. The free event, geared at all ages and all members of the regional community, will showcase some the University’s world-class teaching and research, together with a glimpse of the excellent facilities on site.
Pictured above are Senior Lecturer Dr Jackie Parry and PhD student Amber Lynch, from the Department of Biomedical and Life Sciences. And no, they aren’t making a smoothie (or that’s what they tell us anyway) or a Monster Mash, but demonstrating some ‘Super Squidgy Science’ – otherwise known as DIY DNA. It’s a new and quite fascinating activity designed for you to join in on the day, and apparently if you stick with it and don’t just eat all the ingredients (or fabric-paint them, if the photo is anything to go by) you will end up creating an individually designed loom bracelet. And you’ll probably know quite a bit more about DNA (or DIY) and laboratory techniques.
Vice Chancellor Professor Mark E. Smith said: “This milestone year gives us an opportunity not only to celebrate our world class credentials in teaching and research, but also to celebrate and strengthen our community links closer to home.
“We have always been hugely proud of our roots in Lancaster and, through this event, hope to give the local community a deeper insight into just what goes on here and how we are working to benefit our local community and beyond.”
Amongst the dozens of activities taking place on the day, visitors will be able to:
- Watch a demonstration of 3D printing
- Become a linguistics detective and help solve a murder case through forensic linguistics
- Try Chinese painting and language classes
- Hear talks from our expert historians on the First World War
- Hear from published authors on their experiences of getting into print
- Brand their own smoothie and try speed mentoring in our business games area
- Try their hand at painting with local artist Chas Jacobs
- Enjoy campus tours, talks, performances, workshops, sports events, live music and food and drink stalls
50th anniversary project manager Alexandra Mounsey said the Community Activities Day included a fascinating and intriguing line-up.
“The day genuinely provides something for everyone,” she said. “We have a host of exciting events, from talks from our expert historians on the First World War, to student performances and exciting showcases of the latest research in technology and computing.
“And there’s plenty for our young visitors too including a teddy bears’ hospital, Bonington Bear portrait gallery, musical instrument-making classes, and a chance to learn about the environment and skeletons and bones.”
You can simply drop in on the day although some events need to be booked in advance. We’ll be posting further information shortly and if you are interested in receiving more details directly about this free event, please email anniversary@lancaster.ac.uk.
There will be free parking on campus throughout the day