Kids and grown-ups from 5 to 105 are invited to discover the science behind Christmas with FREE, fun family activities this weekend at Fargo Village in Coventry – hosted by the University of Warwick and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Find out how to make a bath bomb and what makes it fizz, create your own snow globe and learn how it works, and make some colourful chromatography paper baubles to decorate your tree, at free workshops taking place throughout Saturday 25 November in the Market Hall.

While you’re there, take on the challenge to guess a collection of Christmas smells and explore Fargo Village's shops to complete the Molecule Hunt!

Real-life working scientists from the University of Warwick and the Royal Society of Chemistry will be around to answer questions about how Chemistry works, how it’s linked to Christmas and everyday life, and why science is so exciting.

Activities are not timed, so feel free to pop over whenever you like and work at your own pace. There will be several tables, each with a different activity, so you can pick and choose whichever you like – and you are welcome to do one/all of them.

Plus, stick around in the afternoon for ‘Chemistry Stories’ at the Big Comfy Bookshop.

There are stories behind every new discovery, every baked cake and every science experiment. This storytelling event will explore how Chemistry can be hilarious, heart-breaking, delightful and shocking through true stories told by both scientists and non-scientists.

Stay and chat to the speakers, both local and from further afield, about their experiences and where Chemistry has taken them – all in a cosy setting with cake and drinks.

This event is aimed at the grown-ups, but children are welcome.

Dr Ruth Patchett, a researcher from the University of Warwick’s Department of Chemistry and Midlands Education Coordinator for the Royal Society of Chemistry, commented:

“These activities are great. Not only are they educational, but they’re really good fun for families to get involved in. It is so important for University of Warwick staff to connect with members of our local communities.

“Our scientists come from a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise, and are giving up their time for free. I hope that as well as teaching children some basic Chemistry – they can also raise their aspirations and show them that they can achieve anything.”

Ruth and her team of scientists are passionate about getting Coventry kids into Chemistry, and recently held fun activities at local across the city during the half term holidays.

Notes:

The ‘Chemistry of Christmas Presents’ workshops will take place throughout the day on Saturday 25 November in the Market Hall at Fargo Village.

More details, see:

https://www.facebook.com/events/122726615113136/

http://www.fargovillage.co.uk/events/chemistry-christmas-presents/

‘Chemistry Stories’ will take place between 15:00-17:00 on Saturday 25 November at the Big Comfy Bookshop, Fargo Village.

More details, see:

http://www.rsc.org/events/detail/28957/chemistry-stories-coventry

Image 1: Children taking part in fun activities and learning about Chemistry with Ruth's team, credit University of Warwick (click for high res)

Image 2: Volunteer scientists running a recent event at a Coventry library, credit University of Warwick (click for high res)

Image 3: Bath bombs, like the ones you'll be able to make at Fargo Village this Saturday, credit University of Warwick (click for high res)

22 November 2017

Further information contact:

Luke Walton, International Press Manager

+44 (0) 7824 540 863

+44 (0) 2476 150 868

L dot Walton dot 1 at warwick dot ac dot uk