The Festival of Science and Curiosity kicked off in Nottingham with Discover George Green at the Windmill Science Centre, in Sneinton…
George Green is Nottingham’s answer to Sir Isaac Newton; less well known, but of increasing importance, coming from unexpected and humble beginnings.
Green’s windmill was built in 1807 by Mr Green, George’s father, when George was just fourteen. From an early age, he worked in the windmill but had also begun to show off his abilities in science and maths.
Nowadays, George’s work is used by scientists all over the world, including the mathematical physics used in the Space Programme and helping to combat the threat of climate change, wave and weather prediction.
At this event, the importance of magnetism, for example, is shown in colourful ways, as kids and parents explore and play with a wide range of interactive exhibits and special initiatives.
This opening event was very well attended, “crowded-out!”, as Jamie Duff, Manager of the Windmill Science Centre, indicated. Parents and kids explored the various exhibits on show, united in their enthusiasm and thus boding well for the festival, organised through Notts’ own Ignite Futures. As an ex- junior astronomer, I was as excited as everyone else attending.
The Windmill Science Centre blossomed from the fruitful attempts to save the 19th Century landmark by local university science students, as a testimony to George Green’s work. Future generations of Nottingham’s budding scientists will find this site a vital source for stimulating their imaginations; especially as the Brexit fallout starts to kick in locally, with its inevitable consequences regarding the country’s future in Science and Technology.
Up until now, Nottinghamshire has had an unenviable national reputation for poor performance at school level in Science and Maths. Such creative centres and the festival itself are vital for stimulating improvement, and creating future jobs and careers for local youth in these fields.
The broader picture is rosier in regards to sciences. Today’s generation of school-kids are stimulated by exploring science and mathematics by their wider interests, development of the renewed Space Programme and in essential local initiatives; such as the Nottingham ‘Festival of Science & Curiosity’.
But in any case, ‘Science Is Fun’, and the festival was a great place to go and re-discover this often forgotten fact.
The Festival of Science and Curiosity is taking place across the city from Wednesday 14 - Wednesday 21 February 2018. More information can be found on the festival's website.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
