Science Spectacular
On Saturday 20 October 2018, the University of Manchester’s science researchers ran live experiments and interactive demonstrations for the public as Science Spectacular returned for its seventh year as part of the Manchester Science Festival and to support the University’s social responsibility month of October.
In the University’s prestigious Whitworth Hall and Manchester Museum, staff and students challenged over 1,200 members of the public to get involved and learn more about the University’s science research, by offering over 40 activities aimed at people of all ages.
There were favourites from previous years as well as new ones for visitors to try their hand at. They ranged from colourful chemistry, dinosaurs and phagecraft, to hunting for meteorites, walking on custard and determining which came first – the chicken or the egg.
Many of the visitors feedback about how much they enjoyed the event:
“We had the most marvellous time learning all sorts of interesting and thought-provoking stuff.”
“Your event was much more than we had hoped and all of us, between the ages of 5 and 70, had a brilliant time.”
Volunteering and Social Justice Fair 2018
On Tuesday 16 October, over 1,300 students from across the University of Manchester attended the University’s Volunteering and Social Justice Fair.
Over 100 diverse volunteering organisations from across the UK were at the Fair. They came from a wide range of sectors including cultural, environmental, health, sport and social inclusion sectors, and both from the wider community and within the University and Students’ Union.
The aim for the Fair is to inspire University of Manchester students to take action and volunteer, with many of the organisations providing different options for students to get involved, meet a variety of new people and help tackle important issues within the local and global community.
Brilliant and BAME
In October 2018 the University-wide event, ‘Brilliant and BAME’, highlighted the steps the University Of Manchester is taking towards race equality through a buzzing showcase and exhibition.
Outside the event, the smell of Asian and Caribbean street food filled the air around a marquee that housed information stands hosted by staff and student network groups from across the University.
The University of Manchester’s John Rylands Library brought along interesting items from the archives relating to BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities in Britain. Local artist, Akinyemi, exhibited a series of thought provoking, abstract paintings and the lively music of Jamaican singer Don Hartley, and Jali Nyonkoling Kuyateh gave the event a true celebratory atmosphere.
Staff and students from across the University also took the floor to voice their thoughts on equality, diversity and inclusion. A series of lightening talks showcased: The Works, the University of Manchester’s one-stop-shop supporting local people to find jobs; the Diversity Ambassadors scheme and BAME initiatives delivered by each Faculty at the University.
