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Belfast and Northern Ireland

An Astronomical Programme of Events at NI Science Festival 2024

The NI Science Festival returns from 16-23 February 2024, with a jam-packed schedule of events taking place throughout the Queen’s campus.

NI Science Festival banner
The NI Science Festival celebrates its 10th year in 2024

As a festival partner and funder, we are proud to support and host multiple workshops, showcases and open days that feature the work and research being done by schools in the fields of physics, biochemistry and more.

Don’t miss out! Key Queen’s events include:

Step into the World of Simulation in Healthcare

Saturday 17 February, 11:00am & 2:00pm – Suitable for 11+

Medical Biology Centre, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast

Explore the fascinating world of simulation and how to use cutting edge technology - such as VR and humanoid manikins - to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Find out more and get your tickets here.

Medicine student using VR headset

Doctoring James Joyce

Tuesday 20th February, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Suitable for 12+

One Elmwood Student Centre

Despite several failed attempts to study medicine, Irish writer James Joyce’s writing is full of references to medicine and medical sciences, becoming known as "The Einstein of English Fiction".

Bringing his writing to life in word, doggerel verse and song will be Professor Mark Lawler, Chair in Translational Cancer Genomics and Professor of Digital Health at Queen's University Belfast as he entertains, excites and appalls you with a new take on his acclaimed one man show, now reimagined for the NI Science Festival.

Find out more and get your tickets here.

James Joyce statue in Zurich

James Joyce, Graveyard Fluntern

Patrick G. Johnson Centre for Cancer Research - Public open day

Saturday 24th February, 10:00 am - 1:00 pm – Suitable for all ages

Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research

Visit our labs and meet the researchers, clinicians and technicians who are leading the way on improving treatment for a number of cancers, including our new Prostate Cancer Centre of Excellence (the first of its kind on the island of Ireland). Includes hands-on science activities for the whole family!

Book your free tickets here.

The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research

Don’t forget to check out other events happening around the Queen’s campus:

 

An Anatomical Workshop on Respiration and Deglutition (Breathing and Swallowing)

Thursday 15th February, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm – Suitable for 7+, Medical Biology Centre

Discover the science behind breathing and swallowing in this interactive workshop.

Climate Emergency Department

Thursday 15 & Friday 16 February, 1:00pm & 1:45pm – Suitable for 10+, Medical Biology Centre

 Enjoy an interactive simulation which demonstrates how climate change might affect health services in the future.

Emergency ambulance driving past hospital

Cut & Paste

Saturday 17th February, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm – Suitable for all ages, Medical Biology Centre

Join scientists in the Faculty of Medicine, Health & Life Sciences at Queen’s to explore technological advancements and ethical considerations in Gene Editing. Includes post-event pizza in the MBC foyer!

Kidney Canvas - Hot desk your way around the science and art of kidney disease

Sunday 18th February, 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm – Suitable for all ages, Medical Biology Centre

Enjoy a blend of art, science, music, fun and community, with guidance and insight from experts from the Queen’s Renal Arts Group, Molecular Epidemiology and Public Health group, as well as local and regional kidney disease charities.

Model of kidney

Exploring the Fascinating Science of Human Milk

Saturday 17th February, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm – Suitable for adults only, Great Hall

Join Breastival, QUB microbiologist Dr Simon Cameron and the human milk bank to explore the fascinating properties of breastmilk.

Transplantation Tales: An Educational Workshop in Kidney Care and Research

Wednesday 21st February, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm – Suitable for key stage 4 & 5 students, Great Hall

Key Stage 4 and 5 students are invited to participate in an interactive workshop where they will collaborate as part of a transplantation team to create storyboards for an animated, educational video series for patients with chronic kidney disease on the waitlist for a kidney transplant.

Sea the Damage

Monday 19th February, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm – Suitable for key stage 2 students, Queen's Marine Lab and Portaferry Beach

Students will have the opportunity to visit their local beach where they will take part in a beach clean, collecting marine litter before returning to the Queen’s Marine Lab, where they will turn it into a piece of marine wildlife themed art.

Marine Biology research at the Marine Laboratory, Portaferry

Marine biology research at the Marine Laboratory, Portaferry

Causes and Consequences of Toxic Masculinity

Wednesday 21st February, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm – Suitable for 16+, The Graduate School

Join Dr Paul Caplat from Queen’s University Belfast as he explores the economic cost and societal impact of ‘toxic masculinity’.

Queen's Biology Showcase

Saturday 24th February, 10:30 am - 1:30 pm – Suitable for all ages, School of Biological Sciences Building

Scientists from Queen’s School of Biological Sciences discuss biodiversity, sustainable food production, disease management, and climate impacts through interactive exhibits and talks.

Biological sciences student in lab

Queen's Biological Sciences research students

ALSO: Don’t miss out on:

Visit https://nisciencefestival.com/ for the full programme of events!

 

Staff Writer

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