Wrexham Science Festival 2012

01978 293293 

www.wrexhamsf.com

Hello and Welcome to the 

2012 Wrexham Science Festival 

The Wrexham Science Festival is back, bigger and bursting with ideas to challenge, 

inspire and entertain. If you are new to the festival or part of our loyal following of 

science enthusiasts you will fi nd lots of events to tempt you. Science is part of everyday 

life and our energetic programme of events celebrate this; from the science of beautiful 

paintings and the chemistry of cocktails to Doctor Who and the Olympics, these are just 

a small taste of what’s to come this year. 

As usual, we want everyone to enjoy the festival. All our public events are FREE, the 

event runs during the school summer holidays and is open to all. Simply book a ticket 

and come along if you want to fi nd out something new, be challenged or have fun and 

be entertained, we’ve got it covered. 

On the following pages you will fi nd details of all our events, how to book and 

information on our schools programmes. This year we have also included a quick 

reference guide which lists all of our events in one place. 

We hope you enjoy the festival and we look forward to seeing you there! 

A Word from our Chairperson, 

Professor Helen James 

It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the 2012 Wrexham Science Festival, 

a community event that allows everyone to engage with science. 

We at Glyndŵr University are delighted to organise this year’s festival in conjunction 

with our partners and host many of the events at our Wrexham campus. Glyndŵr 

University is proud of its engagement with science, technology, engineering and 

mathematics subjects and we hope that this shows within the programme. 

This year’s festival provides us with an unusual mix of events and we hope that you 

will enjoy being surprised, challenged and entertained by our line up. I look forward to 

seeing you at the festival for our 14th year of celebrating science. 

2 - Wrexham Science Festival 2012

Themes 

We’ve divided our events into themes in order to make it easy to fi nd the events that 

interest you. Our themes are Earth and the Universe, The Animal World, Human Mind 

and Body and Bright Sparks. Look out for the following symbols next to each event 

description to fi nd out the theme. 

Earth and the Universe The Animal World 

Human Mind and Body Bright Sparks 

Our festival runs many events during the day and early evening which are suitable for 

children. We also have events which run later in the evening that have a more adult 

focus, as well as special events for businesses. To help you, we’ve included symbols 

to indicate events which are suitable for families and kids and those more suited to a 

grown up audience. 

Family and Kids Grown ups Business Everyone 

Location 

The majority of events in our programme 

are being held at Glyndŵr University, 

Wrexham campus unless otherwise 

specifi ed in the event description. 

Our on-campus facilities have disabled 

access, and there is plenty of free parking 

available on site. 

Glyndŵr University 

Mold Road, Wrexham LL11 2AW 

A483 

To Mold 

To Oswestry 

& Shrewsbury 

A541 

BERSE ROAD 

To Chester 

A483 

PLAS COCH ROAD 

MOLD ROAD 

Wrexham 

Campus 

Regent 

Street 

Site 


Football Club 


General Station 

REGENT STREET 

To Wrexham 

Town Centre 

www.wrexhamsf.com - 3

Festival Highlights 

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BBC presenter Kate Humble best known for wildlife programmes such as Springwatch 

will be in conversation with Adam Walton from BBC Radio Wales Cymru (page 26) 

Police boxes, time travel and the famous phrase ‘exterminate!’ can only mean one thing. 

Yes, cult TV show: Doctor Who. Don’t miss our show exploring The Science of Doctor 

Who (page 10) 

We can’t get enough of the Science Junkies and this year they’re back with In the Zone 

an Olympic themed show, looking at the science behind our favourite athlete’s bodies 

from Usain Bolt to Paula Radcliff e (page 13) 

Get ready to make some noise as Steve Summers shows you how to turn junk into 

noisy toys and explores the science of soundwaves and vibrations in our Noisy Toys 

Workshop! (page 16) 

If you’re as particular about your favourite cocktail as a certain Mr Bond then Shaken or 

Stirred? The Chemistry of Cocktails is for you (page 12) 

Helen Keen is back with more science related shenanigans in her show; Robot Woman 

of the Future (page 28) 

Simon Watt, presenter of Channel 4’s critically acclaimed programme ‘Inside Nature’s 

Giants’ takes a look at some of the science that didn’t make it on to the groundbreaking 

series in Dissections uncut (page 11) 

Get involved 

This year we are very excited to announce a new element of the festival – we’re inviting 

you to get involved! If you are a member of a club or society why not run a special 

science-themed event during the 2012 Wrexham Science Festival? It could be a science 

themed book group or fi lm night, pub quiz, poetry slam, music jam or a Doctor Who 

tribute night. We’ll be posting information about our break out events on our website, 

Facebook and Twitter pages so get in touch and let us know what you’re planning as part 

of this year’s festival. 

Please tweet or facebook us – tell us what you’re looking forward to, what you 

have enjoyed or post your pics on our Flickr site – we want to meet our festival fans! 

We’ll be providing regular updates too. 

twitter.com/WrexhamSciFest fl ickr.com/wrexhamsf 

facebook.com/wrexhamsciencefestival 

wrexhamsf.com wsf@glyndwr.ac.uk 


Events for Schools 

Each year the Wrexham Science Festival features a large programme of activities especially 

for schools. Designed to complement the school curriculum, these presentations, 

demonstrations and workshops are aimed at engaging pupils in north Wales of all ages 

and abilities with science, technology, engineering and maths. 

The Wrexham Science Festival Schools Programmes are organised by Careers Wales, 

Techniquest Glyndŵr and Glyndŵr University. 

Primary Schools Programme 

This year’s Primary Schools Programme 

took place from Friday 9 March until 

Friday 16 March, to coincide with National 

Science and Engineering Week. 

The week-long event was packed full 

of presentations, demonstrations and 

workshops aimed at challenging over 

600 pupils from 12 schools across 

Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire to 

engage with science – from investigating 

healthy eating and learning how our bodies 

work to discovering how to harness the 

power of light to design and construct a 

solar powered fairground ride, and much 

more. There was also the chance to get up 

close and personal with Gwawr, the Welsh 

Solar Car! 

Visit the festival website at 

www.wrexhamsf.com for more 

information about the presentations 

and workshops that took place. 

Secondary Schools Programme 

The 2012 Secondary Schools Programme 

will run from Monday 11 June until 

Friday 6 July. 

The programme is open to secondary 

schools across Wrexham, Flintshire 

and Denbighshire, and consists of 

presentations, demonstrations and 

workshops aimed at students at key 

stage levels 3, 4 and 5. 

Topics covered include forensic science, 

materials science, rockets and astronomy, 

the roles gravity and forces have to 

play in improving sporting techniques, 

LEGO® robotics, renewable energy and 

sustainability, plus a special conference 

aimed at physics teachers, organised by 

the Institute of Physics in Wales. 

For more information about the activities 

available to your school please contact: 

• Careers Wales North East: Islwyn Griffi ths 

T: 01352 750456 

E: islwyn.griffi ths@ 

careerswalesgyrfacymru.com 

• Techniquest Glyndŵr: Claire Evans 

T: 01978 293309 

E: claire@tqg.org.uk 


At a Glance Guide to Events 

Time Event Theme Type Audience Venue 

Thursday 19 July 

9am – 

4.00pm 

Cre8tiv Conference 2012 Business Glyndŵr University 

6pm Pick of the Pack! Show 

7.30pm The Science of Doctor Who Show 

/ 

/ 



7.30pm Dissections Uncut Show Glyndŵr University 

Friday 20 July 

9am – 

4.00pm 

Cre8tiv Conference 2012 Business Glyndŵr University 

6pm 6% Superhuman Show 

6pm 

Captain Scott: South for 

Science 

/ 


Talk / Glyndŵr University 

7.30pm Alchemy and Air Talk / Glyndŵr University 

7.45pm 

Shaken or Stirred? The 

Chemistry of Cocktails 

Workshop Glyndŵr University 

Sunday 22 July 

2pm 

Monday 23 July 

Guided Walk of Alyn Waters 

Country Park Walk 

11am Surfaces – Maths Workshop Workshop 

2pm Surfaces – Maths Workshop Workshop 

/ 

/ 

Alyn Waters 

Country Park 



3pm Science Junkies In The Zone Show Glyndŵr University 

6pm Science Junkies In The Zone Show Glyndŵr University 

6pm 

Science v Religion 

in the Classroom 

Talk Glyndŵr University 

6pm 

The Making of You – 

Predators and Symbionts 


7.30pm 

Telford and After – Civil 

Engineering in North Wales 

Barcode Wales – DNA 


7.30pm Barcoding the nation’s 

owering plants 


Tuesday 24 July 

11am The Noisy Toys Workshop Workshop 

6 - Wrexham Science Festival 2012 

/ 

Glyndŵr University

2pm The Noisy Toys Workshop Workshop 

3pm 

When Can We Move 

to the Moon? 

Talk 

6pm The Clockwork Universe Show 

/ 

/ 

/ 




6pm Pale Blue Dot Talk Glyndŵr University 

The ‘Internet of Things’: 

7.30pm Simple concept – 

Astonishing possibilities! 

Could Saturn’s Moons 

7.30pm 

Support Life? 

Wednesday 25 July 

From the Flintstones to the 

11am 

Modern Age 



Workshop 

12pm Improving Equine Welfare Talk 

2pm 

Watch your head! 

Combat Sports and Injuries 

at the Olympics 

Talk 

/ 

/ 

/ 




6pm Now Hear This! Show 

/ 


6pm 

Fighting Fit – Fitness 

Assessment for Combat Sports 

Workshop / Glyndŵr University 

7.30pm A Year on the Mosses Talk / Glyndŵr University 

7.30pm 

Astrobiology – Looking for life 

elsewhere 

Talk 

/ 


7.30pm Science, Theology and Beauty Talk Glyndŵr University 

7.30pm Science Pub Quiz Quiz 

Thursday 26 July 

All day 

The Future by Airbus 

Exhibition 

10am 

LEGO® Education WeDo 

Workshop: The Roaring Lion 

Exhibition 

/ 

Wrexham Lager 

Sports & Social Club 


Workshop Techniquest Glyndŵr 

11am The Future by Airbus Talk 

/ 


12.30pm 


Workshop: Drumming Monkey 


2pm 

The Surprisingly Di cult 

Science of Beautiful Paintings 

Workshop 

/ 


2.30pm 


Workshop: Spinning Top 


5.30pm 

Powering the Future: Energy 

Generation in North Wales 

Business Catrin Finch Centre 


6pm 

Ground Beetles of Wrexham 

and Denbighshire Talk 

6pm The Bionic Ear Show Show 

/ 

/ 



6pm Kate Humble in Conversation Talk / Glyndŵr University 

7.30pm 

The Surprisingly Di cult 

Science of Beautiful Paintings 

Talk / Glyndŵr University 

7.30pm 

Whither (or Wither) the 

Electric Car? 


Friday 27 July 

10am 

LEGO® Mindstorms® 

Workshop: Mission to Titan 


Workshop 

/ 

Techniquest Glyndŵr 

12.30pm Workshop: Don't Hit the 

LEGO® Man 

Workshop 

/ 


2.30pm 


Workshop: Mission to Titan 

Workshop 

/ 


6pm Freaky Probability Talk / Glyndŵr University 

6pm Engineering Emulsions Show 

7.30pm 

Helen Keen: Robot Woman of 

the Future 

How to book 

Booking for our events is easy. You 

can book places for the majority of 

events online, over the phone, or 

in person at the Glyndŵr University 

Box Offi ce. Some events have 

specifi c booking contacts, see event 

description for details. 

/ 


Show / Glyndŵr University 

Online: www.wrexhamsf.com 

By telephone: 01978 293293 (during offi ce hours) 

In person: Glyndŵr University Box Offi ce, Catrin Finch Centre, 

Mon - Fri 8.30am - 4.30pm. (see map above for exact location). 

We don’t issue tickets for our events. We will however send you a booking confi rmation 

when you book online. You do not need to bring this with you to the event. 


PLAS COCH ROAD 

P 

MOLD ROAD 

MAIN ENTRANCE 

TECHNIQUEST GLYNDŵR 

P 

P 

P 

P 

TO REGENT STREET 

P 

P 

CATRIN FINCH CENTRE

fuel up before 

the show 

Drop in to one of our eateries – we’re open for 

breakfast, lunch and snacks during the festival. 

Scholars Rest - 

Our restaurant serves; breakfasts, homemade 

soups & main meals, kids meals, light meals such 

as salad & sandwiches and jacket potatoes as 

well as hot & cold drinks and snacks. 

Open: 8:00am – 3.00pm Monday – Friday 

Fellows Café Bar - 

We offer a selection of teas, coffees, hot 

chocolate, chilled drinks, snacks such as crisps 

and chocolate, beers, wines and spirits. 

Open: 5.30pm – 7.30pm Monday – Friday 

Venue hire and catering 

If you need a venue and catering for a corporate 

event our campuses and catering outlets are 

flexible venues used for events, performances 

and special functions. 

Call 01978 293494 

email: conference@glyndwr.ac.uk 

web: conferencevenues.glyndwr.ac.uk 


Thursday 19 July - 

Friday 20 July, 9am - 4pm 

Glyndŵr University Wrexham 

Conference 

Audience Guide: Business 

Thursday 19 July, 6pm 


Show 

Audience Guide: All 

Thursday 19 July, 7.30pm 


Show 

Audience Guide: 7+ 


Cre8tiv Conference 2012 

Glyndŵr Innovations 

A two-day conference aimed at businesses within the Creative 

Industries. Packed with new and innovative solutions and ideas 

to help companies grow their business, this event will provide 

invaluable regional solutions across a wide range of business areas. 

Highlights include keynote speech from former Gadget Show host 

Ortis Deley, as well as a series of talks, seminars and workshops 

off ering training, guidance, and opportunities to people within the 

Creative Industries who are seeking to either enter the industry or 

enhance their competencies in a fast changing environment. 

Cost for full two days - £200. For more information about the 

conference, prices for individual sessions or to book contact 

Jemma Kinch j.kinch@glyndwr.ac.uk 

Pick of the Pack! 


Kick off the Festival in interactive style! Find out the Techniquest 

Glyndŵr presenters’ favourite science demonstrations, choose 

what you’d like to see and vote for your favourite! Come along 

for your chance to see demos including fl aming bottle rockets, 

chemiluminescence, Elephants’ toothpaste, the Mooing Bin and 

much more! 

Sponsored by: Techniquest Glyndŵr 

The Science of Doctor Who 

iScience 

Doctor Who is the longest-running science fi ction show in the 

world, but have you ever wondered about the real science behind 

our time and dimension-travelling hero? Join Mark and Jon from 

iScience as they take you on a journey through the incredible 

world of the Doctor, and uncover the truth behind the TARDIS, 

the science of Cybermen and the realities of regeneration.

Dissections Uncut 

Ready Steady Science 

Channel 4's award-winning series ‘Inside Nature’s Giants’, features 

scientists getting under the skin of the largest animals on the 

planet. Most wildlife documentaries show how animals behave, 

but by exploring their anatomy, Inside Nature's Giants reveals how 

these creatures really work. 

Join presenter Simon Watt as he looks at some of the fascinating 

science that didn’t make the fi nal cut. 

6% Superhuman 

Lab Monkey Productions 

Can you wrestle tigers, read minds, see through walls and burn 

people with your laser eyes? That's the twisted (and somewhat 

unrealistic) dream of Dr Matt Pritchard. Family friendly comedy 

and magic show exploring the sneaky science behind superhero 

powers. What's fact, what's fi ction and what's feasible in the future? 

Captain Scott: South for Science 

Tom Sharpe, National Museum of Wales 

This year marks the centenary of Robert Falcon Scott’s ill-fated 

Expedition reaching the Antarctic, and of his death and that of his 

four companions. But there was much more to the expedition than 

the attempt on the South Pole. Teams of scientists from geologists 

and biologists to meteorologists and physicists explored this last 

great frontier bringing back new knowledge of the continents 

rocks, weather and wildlife. In this enlightening lecture, Tom 

Sharpe will explain how their work laid the foundations of modern 

Antarctic science. 

Thursday 19 July, 7.30pm 


Show 


Friday 20 July, 6pm 


Show 


Friday 20 July, 6pm 


Talk 



Friday 20 July, 

7.30pm 


Talk 



7.45pm 


Workshop 


Sunday 22 July, 2pm 

Alyn Waters Country Park, 


Walk 


Alchemy and Air 

Dr Andrew Holding, University of Cambridge 

In the summer of 1909 a German scientist, Fritz Haber, 

demonstrated a single chemical reaction that changed the world 

for ever. His experiment showed for the fi rst time that it was 

possible to convert the endless supply of nitrogen from the air 

into an invaluable resource that would defi ne the fi rst half of the 

20th century. His work won him a Nobel Prize in Chemistry, and 

led to the development of two things that would revolutionise 

humanity: industrial fertiliser and chemical weaponry. 

Sponsored by: 

The Royal Society of 

Chemistry North West Trust 


Shaken or Stirred? The Chemistry of Cocktails 

Suze Kundu, University College London 

From champagne bubbles to the shape of glassware, join us for 

a whirlwind adventure from Absinthe to Zinfandel and discover 

exactly why it is sometimes better to shake it, and not stir it... 

Sit back, grab a drink from the bar, and fi nd out about the 

chemistry behind your Caipirinha, the magic of your Mojito 

and the science in your Shiraz. 

Strictly over 18s only; if you think you look younger than 25, 

please bring ID with you. 

Guided Walk of Alyn Waters Country Park 

North Wales Wildlife Trust 

Join leader Kipper Davies for a special guided walk of Wrexham’s 

largest country park and learn all about its fl owers, orchids 

(including Dune Helleborine), trees, birds, butterfl ies and other 

insects. Please wear walking boots or strong shoes. Walks are 

usually easy and last for 2 to 3 hours. Reference books, binoculars 

or magnifying glasses are often useful, but not essential. Walk is 

free but any donations to the North Wales Wildlife Trust are 

most welcome. 

Meet at Alyn Waters Country Park (Llay Car Park). 

Map Ref: SJ 333 550. 

To book call 01248 351541 or 

email nwwt@wildlifetrustswales.org

Surfaces – Maths Workshop 

Magic Mathworks Travelling Circus 

When you look out on the world, what do you see? Surfaces: the 

surfaces of cars, hills, cooling towers, sofas… and people! In this 

hands-on workshop, fi nd out which surfaces you can make with 

stretched string, which surfaces don’t fl atten out, the surfaces soap 

fi lms make, how you can represent surfaces on the page and how 

you can make nice curvy surfaces from fl at panels. 

This workshop takes place at 11am and 2pm. 

Science Junkies In The Zone 

The Science Junkies 

Join Greg Foot and Huw James, avid adventurers, extreme sports 

guys and science geeks, as they get In the Zone for the London 

Olympics in this one hour stage show. Explore just how Usain 

Bolt’s body can unleash the explosive energy he needs to run 

100m in a superhuman 9.58 seconds, how GB’s Mo Farah trained 

to fi nd the extra 1% he needed to grab the 5,000 metre world 

championship, and how Paula Radcliff e’s muscles are perfectly 

suited to marathon running. 

This show takes place at 3pm and 6pm. 

Sponsored by a Wellcome People Award. 

Developed with the Royal Institution. 

Science vs Religion in the Classroom 

Alom Shaha 

How can children brought up in religious families reconcile the 

diff erent 'truths' they are told about the world? And to what extent 

should we discuss these issues in schools: what exactly should 

science teachers say when asked about the 'truth' of science by 

religious students? In this talk, Alom Shaha, a science teacher and 

author of ‘The Young Atheist's Handbook’ will describe his personal 

experiences growing up in a Bangladeshi Muslim community in 

London, what role his science education played in his journey 

towards atheism and how, as a Physics teacher, he responds to the 

apparent confl ict between science and religion in the classroom. 

Monday 23 July, 

11am & 2pm 


Workshop 


Monday 23 July, 

3pm & 6pm 


Show 


Monday 23 July, 6pm 


Talk 



Discover our amazing 

world of science with 

65 interactive hands-on 

exhibits, puzzles, live 

science shows and activities 

all the family will enjoy! 

Check out our fabulous 

live shows this summer: 

Life on Earth 

June 16-17, 23-24, 30 • July 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-31 

Marvellous Movement 

August 1-31 

Attention Home Educators! 

Did you know that TQG hosts special home educator days 

every month? We have “Key Stage 2 & 3” and “Key Stage 

4” days that cover a wide variety of topics and themes. 

If you are interested in finding out more, go to 

www.tqg.org.uk/homeed or email home-eds@tqg.org.uk 

www.tqg.org.uk 01978 293400 myTQG 

Open all year, Tuesday to Friday from 10am and weekends from 11am. Also open Mondays during school 

holidays. Last admission is at 3.30pm. TQG is located just off Junction 5, A483 Wrexham. Sat nav: LL11 2AW. 


The Making of You – Predators and Symbionts 

Dr David Skydmore, Glynd ˆwr University 

Genetics and the DNA code is being studied thoroughly. 

However, our bodies and those of plants and animals also 

develop in the way they do because of their interaction with 

the environment and other organisms. For instance, the gut of 

a zebrafi sh does not develop properly without the presence 

of bacteria. This is ‘eco-devo’; the science of epigenetics and 

ecological development. Join Dr David Skydmore, Academic 

Leader for Natural and Built Environment at Glyndŵr University, 

and discover how this science is profoundly aff ecting the way 

we grow crops and view genetic medicine. 

Telford and After - 

Civil Engineering in North Wales 

Bob Daimond, Institution of Civil Engineers 

Renowned as the father of civil engineering, Thomas Telford was 

the fi rst President of the Institution of Civil Engineers. His works 

transformed the landscape of North Wales, and included the Chirk 

Aqueduct, the Menai Suspension Bridge, and the Pontcysyllte 

Aqueduct, widely regarded as Telford’s greatest achievement. This 

talk will explain his signifi cance to the region, and demonstrate the 

continued importance of civil engineering to modern society. 

Sponsored by: ICE Wales Cymru 

Barcode Wales - 

DNA barcoding the nation's flowering plants 

Dr Natasha De Vere, National Botanic Gardens of Wales 

In 2011 Wales embarked on the ambitious mission of becoming 

one of the fi rst countries in the world to DNA barcode all 1143 

of its native fl owering plants through the Barcode Wales Project. 

But what is DNA barcoding and how can we use it for biodiversity 

conservation and to improve people's lives? In this talk Dr Natasha 

De Vere, who heads the project, will answer these questions and 

many more. 

Sponsored by: The Wales Gene Park 

Monday 23 July, 6pm 


Talk 


Monday 23 July, 7.30pm 


Talk 


Monday 23 July, 7.30pm 


Talk 



Tuesday 24 July, 

11am & 2pm 


Workshop 


Tuesday 24 July, 3pm 


Talk 




Show 



The Noisy Toys Workshop 

Noisy Toys 

What interesting bits can you fi nd when you rip open an old 

computer, and what do they sound like when you wire them up 

and plug them in? Expect Booms, Buzzes, Twangs, Clangs, Plinks 

and also Plonks. There's plenty of junk for you to explore in this 

interactive workshop, which explores vibrations and sound-waves 

with the aid of contact microphones, amps and oscilloscopes 

made from old TVs. You’ll even have the chance to make your own 

Noisy Toys to jam with and take home. 

This workshop takes place at 11am and 2pm. 

When Can We Move to the Moon? 

Dr Leah-Nani Alconcel, Imperial College London 

The Moon is Earth’s nearest neighbour, but visiting it even with an 

unmanned spacecraft is no trivial matter. Dr Leah-Nani Alconcel 

is a spacecraft engineer in the Physics department at Imperial 

College London. She creates commands to direct the Cassini 

spacecraft, which are being used to study Saturn. In this talk aimed 

at space explorers of all ages, she outlines the challenges faced 

by humans getting to (and from!) the Moon, and of establishing a 

base there. 

The Clockwork Universe 

Being 747 

WORLD PREMIERE from the guys who brought you Amoeba to 

Zebra! This live show explores the history of science from ancient 

Greece to Albert Einstein through the power of pop music, lyrics, 

stunning visuals and, of course, daft costume! 

Starting with the ancient Greeks, the fi rst to attempt to fi nd order 

in chaos, the show explores the history and development of the 

scientifi c method. Along the way we’ll meet visionary eggheads 

like Copernicus, Galileo, Newton and Einstein and look at how 

they pieced together the jigsaw of understanding what makes the 

earth, solar system and universe tick.

Pale Blue Dot 

Andrew Lound, Odyssey Productions 

Out of all the planets in our Solar System one is often forgotten – 

planet Earth. In this beautiful presentation the Earth is visited as if 

for the fi rst time by some explorer from a distant world. 

With the aid of stunning images and music, come on a journey 

across mountains, deserts, oceans, forests, cities and ice fi elds and 

discover the third planet from the Sun – the pale blue dot known 

as Earth – as you’ve never seen it before. 

The 'Internet of Things': 

Simple concept – Astonishing possibilities! 

Professor Vic Grout, Glynd ˆwr University 

The concept of an ‘Internet of Things’, enabling the internet to 

reach out into the real world of physical objects, seems a simple 

concept; tag just about anything and everything you can stick 

a label on, then make the Internet just a massive database of 

items that can be referenced and used any which way we like. 

Technology, however, gives it extraordinary possibilities. Face 

recognition, image-scanners, detectors and sensors could mean 

that everything will eventually be able to be read, whether 

deliberately labelled or not. From basic technologies to predictions 

for the future, this talk will discuss if we’re heading for paradise or 

‘Big Brother’. 

Could Saturn's Moons Support Life? 

Dr Leah-Nani Alconcel, Imperial College London 

For the past 7 years the gas giant Saturn, the sixth planet in our 

solar system, and its moons have been under observation by the 

Cassini spacecraft. Most of its more than 60 moons are cratered 

and rocky like our Moon. However, two of them, Titan and 

Enceladus, have more in common with the Earth than you 

might expect. 

Join Space Engineer Dr Leah-Nani Alconcel, and learn how data 

from the craft can be used to examine properties that life as we 

know it might need to survive in these moons' environments. 



Talk 


Tuesday 24 July, 7.30pm 


Talk 


Tuesday 24 July, 7.30pm 


Talk 



Wednesday 25 July, 11am 


Workshop 


Wednesday 25 July, 12pm 


Talk 




Talk 



From the Flintstones to the Modern Age 

Wirral & North Wales Field Archaeology 

Around 4,000 years ago the life of the ancient peoples of Britain 

was transformed with the arrival of the Bronze Age. Find out 

what life was really like during the Stone Age with this hands-on 

workshop. Learn about the use of stone, with demonstrations from 

our very own fl intknapper, and discover how the arrival of the 

new technology of metal working forever changed the way our 

ancestors lived. 

Improving Equine Welfare 

Tamsin Young, Glyndŵr University 

Perfect for animal lovers of all ages, this talk by animal welfare 

expert Tamsin Young examines how a lot of traditional stable 

management and riding practices are at odds with horses’ and 

ponies’ behavioural and physical adaptations. This can cause 

some animals to develop unwanted behaviour patterns, can 

lead to health issues, and may be the cause of loss of performance. 

Learn how our traditional practices can be at the root of some 

of these issues, and what we can do to maintain good levels of 

horse welfare. 

Watch your head! 

Combat Sports and Injuries at the Olympics 

Dr Michael Graham, Glyndŵr University 

Combat, or fi ghting, sports have featured in the Olympic games 

since the very beginning, but have always been the subject of 

much debate. With women now able for the fi rst time to box at 

the London Olympics, Dr Graham takes an informative look at our 

physiological responses to these high intensity exercises and at the 

eff ects of the direct brain trauma that often come with them.

Now Hear This! 

Sustainable Science 

Explore how modern music comes to life in this interactive show, 

with the aid of the latest computer and keyboard technology. Find 

out about the science of sound; the waves, the vibrations and how 

sound travels. Discover how to turn objects around your home 

into powerful speakers and explore the links between mobile 

phone ringtones, computer game music and Greek tragedies! 

Have the chance to try out mixing, recording and have your 

voice re-arranged with some very peculiar results. You could 

even jam live on stage using the latest live performance 

technology like Ableton's Launchpad and the legendary 

Korg Triton Extreme synthesiser. 

Fighting Fit - 

Fitness Assessment for Combat Sports 

Jonathan Hughes, Glyndŵr University 

Fitness and conditioning are key to performing well in martial arts 

and combat sports, and gaining combat activity specifi c data for 

athletes and coaches is important, yet can be a costly laboratory 

procedure. In this workshop Sports Coaching expert Jonathan 

Hughes will describe the reliable fi eld testing protocols that martial 

arts and combat sports coaches and athletes could adopt to 

successfully assess fi tness levels in fi eld settings. These inexpensive 

methods of testing can establish current fi tness status to enable 

training programmes to be devised. 

A Year on the Mosses 

Barry Probin, Natural England 

The Fenn’s, Whixall & Bettisfi eld Mosses National Nature Reserve, 

just 10 miles from Wrexham, is the third largest lowland raised bog 

in Britain. It is home to 1,900 species of invertebrates , such as large 

heath butterfl ies, bog bush-crickets and raft spiders, back from 

the brink of extinction, as well as teals, mallards, curlews, skylarks, 

meadow pipits and water voles. 

Come along to this illustrated talk by Voluntary Warden Barry 

Probin, and discover what you can see for yourself in all seasons 

at this wonderful mossland. 

Sponsored by: Natural England 



Show 




Workshop 


Wednesday 25 July, 7.30pm 


Talk 


© John Harding 


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Astrobiology – Looking for life Elsewhere 

Martin Griffi ths, University of Glamorgan 

The idea of life existing somewhere in the universe beyond planet 

Earth is not a new one; speculation regarding extraterrestrial 

life has aff ected every society and culture since the dawn of 

civilisation. Conjecture about UFOs and alien contact appears 

to be virtually endless. Science fi ction novels, TV programmes, 

newspapers and magazines have all ensured infi ltration of ET into 

the mainstream. In this talk, aimed at all ages, astrobiologist Martin 

Griffi ths will attempt to answer the age-old question of what, or 

who, is ‘out there’. 

Science, Theology and Beauty 

Dr Ruth Bancewisz, The Faraday Institute for Science and 

Religion, St. Edmunds College University of Cambridge 

The relationship between science and religion has long been 

debated, with many believing that the two are in direct confl ict. 

However, the Christian church has had an important role to play in 

the development of modern science. In this talk, biologist Dr Ruth 

Bancewisz will examine awe and wonder in relation to scientifi c 

discoveries, focusing on ways in which they move people to 

consider theological questions. 

Sponsored by: Cytûn 

Science Pub Quiz 

BBC Radio Wales Science Café 

Back by popular demand, don’t miss your chance to pit your 

wits against the Glyndŵr University experts in this special science 

pub quiz. 

No booking is required for this event, but capacity is limited so 

turn up early to guarantee your seat! 

*this event will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio Wales’ 

Science Café programme. 

Sponsored by: BBC Radio Wales 



Talk 




Talk 



Wrexham Lager Sports & 

Social Club, Union Road, 

Wrexham LL13 7SR 

Quiz 



Thursday 26 July, All day 


Exhibition 


Thursday 26 July, 10am 


Workshop 


Thursday 26 July, 11am 


Talk 



The Future by Airbus Exhibition 

Airbus in the UK 

An interactive exhibit where you can explore various aspects 

of engineering and catch a glimpse into the future of aviation. 

Featuring various interactive challenges and experiments that give 

an insight into the world of engineering and fl ight. 

Supported by: Airbus in the UK 

LEGO ® Education WeDo Workshop: 

The Roaring Lion 


A hands-on workshop aimed at the under 12s. Use LEGO® 

Education’s WeDo to build a ‘Roaring Lion’, then put your 

investigation skills to the test and fi nd out how to make the 

Roaring Lion do a variety of actions with the aid of a computer 

programme. 

Supported by: 

The Royal Academy of Engineering 

The Future by Airbus 

Airbus in the UK 

People need and want to fl y. But how can we make air travel 

better, cheaper, greener? Imagine an aircraft cabin inspired by 

nature in which you could work, play, socialise or simply relax in 

your own personal space. At Airbus, we have dared to dream and 

believe there are so many possibilities for the future of air travel. 

We’d like to invite you to share in our dream and take a glimpse of 

the very real possibilities that existing technology and talent can 

off er. Join us at this interactive talk to discuss what air travel might 

look like in the not too distant future. 

Supported by: Airbus in the UK


Drumming Monkey 


Using the LEGO® Education WeDo kits this hands-on workshop, 

aimed at the under 12s, will enable you to build and programme 

your very own drumming monkey. Both the build and programme 

can be modifi ed, allowing participants to work beyond the main 

activity and develop their own drumming rhythm. 

Supported by: 


The Surprisingly Difficult Science 

of Beautiful Paintings 

Derek Smith, High Tower Consultants Ltd 

If you have ever wondered why people love some paintings but 

are unmoved by others, then this exploration of the science of 

pictorial cognition is for you. Using carefully designed exercises, 

the workshop will explain how the visual system makes sense 

of pictures and how artists use colours, shapes, and no little skill 

to bring out the full range of human emotions on demand. The 

workshop will also demonstrate how Konrad, Wales' fi rst "thinking 

computer", thinks silently to itself while working out what it feels 

about just such works of art. 

This workshop also takes place as a talk at 7.30pm 


Spinning Top 


As part of this hands-on workshop, you will use the LEGO® 

Education WeDo kits to design, build and program a spinning 

top. Discover how small changes can have a big eff ect! Work in a 

team to discover how changing the height, width and mass of a 

spinning top eff ects the length of time it spins and the direction it 

spins in. Programme your spinner to recognise motion or sounds, 

and you can even program it to make diff erent noises! Aimed at 

the under 12s. 

Supported by: 


Thursday 26 July, 

12.30pm 


Workshop 

Audience Guide: -12 


7.30pm 


Workshop 



2.30pm 


Workshop 

Audience Guide: -12 


A special Wrexham Science Festival Art 

in the Community Initiative 

Wrexham Town Centre 19-27 July 

Oriel Wrecsam 21-26 July 


Take a look around you. 

What colours can you see? 

Discover what colour can reveal about ourselves and the world around 

us in this exciting project using art to communicate science ideas. 

Explore colour with us - find our art hidden around Wrexham town 

centre and visit our installation at Oriel Wrexham, Wrexham Library. 

SPECTRUM - bringing together the work of school children, 

artists and scientists for a unique science festival experience.

Powering the Future: 

Energy Generation in North Wales 

Institute of Physics Business Forum 

North Wales is well placed to take the lead in the future of 

electricity generation, with its combination of an already strong 

infrastructure, high-technology start-ups and a vibrant research 

and development base. This event will bring together leaders 

from business, government and academia to discuss the 

opportunities and challenges that are likely to present 

themselves in the next decade. 

For more information or to register, 

visit www.eventsforce.net/iop/294 

Sponsored by: 

The Institute of Physics 

Ground Beetles of Wrexham and Denbighshire 

Bryan Formstone 

This family-friendly talk is your opportunity to learn about these 

fascinating beetles and the history of their recording from the 

nineteenth century to the present day. Find out about the very 

diverse habitat preferences of some of the 140 species so far 

recorded in the local area including those that are rare in Wales. If 

you love creepy crawlies then this talk is not to be missed! 

Sponsored by: North Wales Wildlife Trust 

The Bionic Ear Show 

Deafness Research UK 

This interactive show is all about ears. See and hear the story of 

sound as it travels through the ear to the brain, discover what you 

can do to protect your own hearing, and marvel as presenter Tobin 

May explains step by step the process of hearing by building a 22 

foot long display of our hearing system - the world's largest ear! 

Sponsored by: BUPA and the Big Lottery Fund 


5.30pm 

Catrin Finch Centre, Glyndŵr 

University, Wrexham 

Business Event 

Audience Guide: Business 


6pm 


Talk 



6pm 


Show 




6pm 


Talk 



7.30pm 


Talk 



7.30pm 


Talk 



Kate Humble in Conversation 

Join us for this special event that sees writer and presenter Kate 

Humble in conversation with BBC Radio Wales’ science presenter 

Adam Walton. 

Best known for the phenomenally successful Springwatch and 

Autumnwatch, Kate has fronted a whole host of programmes on 

wildlife and the natural world, including Animal Park, Tomorrow’s 

World, and The Frankincense Trail. She is soon to return to our 

screens at the start of July in BBC Two’s Volcano Live, broadcasting 

live from Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island. 

*this event will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio Wales’ 

Science Café programme. 

Sponsored by: BBC Radio Wales 

The Surprisingly Difficult Science 

of Beautiful Paintings 

Derek Smith, High Tower Consultants Ltd 

If you have ever wondered why people love some paintings but 

are unmoved by others, then this exploration of the science of 

pictorial cognition is for you. Using carefully designed exercises, 

the workshop will explain how the visual system makes sense 

of pictures and how artists use colours, shapes, and no little skill 

to bring out the full range of human emotions on demand. The 

workshop will also demonstrate how Konrad, Wales' fi rst "thinking 

computer", thinks silently to itself while working out what it feels 

about just such works of art. 

This talk also takes place as a workshop at 2pm 

Whither (or Wither) the Electric Car? 

John Griffi ths, Techniquest Glyndŵr 

All the technology to make the electric car a possibility existed 

before the end of the 19th century. Indeed even the fuel cell, 

regarded by many as the power plant of the future, was invented 

by Welsh scientist William Grove in the 1830s. And barely before 

the century was out, we had reliable electric generators, batteries, 

electric motors and electric trains, trams and – yes – electric cars! 

Yet development seems to have stalled. Electric vehicles have 

been ‘just around the corner’ since the late 1960s. So where are 

we now? Will the ‘pollution free’, silent transport, dreamed about 

by so many, now arrive? And is its adoption limited by technology 

or perception?

LEGO ® Mindstorms ® Workshop: Mission to Titan 


If you’re aged 12 and over then this hands-on workshop is for 

you. Using LEGO® Mindstorms® NXT robots, you’ll learn the basics 

of autonomous mobile robotics within the context of a space 

mission. As well as developing your building and programming 

skills, you’ll also learn about space, the evolving universe, and even 

applied mathematics! 

This workshop takes place at 10am and 2.30pm. 

Supported by: 


LEGO ® Mindstorms ® Workshop: 

Don't Hit the LEGO ® Man 


This interactive workshop, aimed at ages 12 and over, uses LEGO® 

Mindstorms® NXT robots and basic programming principals to 

investigate the various methods of controlling motor function. 

Discover how many solutions can be found to the same problem 

(each with their own pros and cons) and see examples of realworld 

robotics. 

Supported by: 


Freaky Probability 

Matt Parker 

People need to estimate probabilities all the time, but humans are 

notoriously bad at correctly understanding probability from an 

intuitive sense. Join stand-up mathematician and Fame Lab winner 

Matt Parker as he examines a range of interesting probability 

situations, and learn how you can use maths to – hypothetically – 

win free money. 


10am & 2.30pm 


Workshop 



12.30pm 


Workshop 



6pm 


Talk 




6pm 


Show 



7.30pm 


Show 


Engineering Emulsions 

Dr Emma Carter, University of Birmingham 

Emulsions are everywhere – in paints, medicines, foods, cleaning 

products, even lipstick. But what are they, and how do they work? 

Dr Emma Carter has the answers in this interactive show. Featuring 

a whole host of experiments and demonstrations, including 

horizontal treacle, air emulsion lipstick and the tablecloth trick! 

See examples of natural emulsions, man-made emulsions, and 

natural emulsifi ers, and learn all about the latest research. 

Sponsored by: 

The Royal Society for 

Chemistry North West Trust 

Helen Keen: Robot Woman of the Future 

Helen Keen 

Helen Keen, award-winning comedian and creator of BBC Radio 4’s 

It Is Rocket Science, returns to Wrexham with her mix of stand-up 

comedy, science and shadow puppetry. This new show features 

Robots! The Future! And a Woman! 

Covering 18th century automata, the very fi rst (human) computers, 

the infl uence of early science fi ction and even the invention of the 

photocopier, Helen presents her unique take on the way cutting 

edge technology of the past has aff ected our expectations for 

the future. 

Disclaimer 

All event information was correct at the time of going to print in June 2012, however the programme 

is subject to change, where necessary. 

Regular updates, amendments and changes to the programme will be made available online at 

www.wrexhamsf.com. 

Please note that for our free events we operate an overbooking policy of 15%, so we recommend booking 

early to avoid disappointment. In the unlikely event that we are unable to honour your booking we will do 

our best to accommodate you at one of our other events. 


arts and entertainment 

season highlights 

July – December 2012 

Join us for music, 

comedy, dance, talks, 

lectures and more… 

Jimmy Tarbuck 

21st July 

Gŵyl Gobaith Music 

Festival featuring Steps 

24th - 27th August 

Carol Ann Duffy 

and Gillian Clarke 

11th October 

Vienna Festival Ballet – 

Coppelia 

19th October 

Ken Dodd 

20th October 

Chris Ramsey 

9th November 

To book: 01978 293293 or 

www.glyndwr.ac.uk 

Join our mailing list: 

live.events@glyndwr.ac.uk 

CHRIS RAMSEY 

STEPS 

KEN DODD 


Partners 

Sponsors / Supporters 

Master reference drawn 03.09.04 

Participating Organisations 

Being 747 

Glyndŵr Innovations 

High Tower Consultants Ltd 

Imperial College London 

iScience 

Lab Monkey Productions 

Magic Mathworks Travelling Circus 

National Botanic Garden of Wales 

National Museum of Wales 

Noisy Toys 


Odyssey Productions 

Ready Steady Science 

Science Junkies 

Standup Maths 

Sustainable Science 

University College London 

University of Birmingham 

University of Cambridge 

University of Glamorgan 

Wirral & North Wales Field Archaeology 

Design & Artwork: Mako Creative Solutions Ltd t: 01978 856456

Wrexham Science Festival 2012

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