From Northern Lights to lightsabres Lancaster University researchers are set to inspire curiosity at this year’s Windermere Science Festival.

The Windermere Science Festival is a public celebration of science and innovation, welcoming visitors from across the Lakes and beyond.

With a packed schedule of hands-on exhibits and immersive activities, the Festival, taking place 10-11 May at the Windermere Jetty Museum, is an exciting opportunity for families, science enthusiasts, and curious minds of all ages to discover the wonders of science in the heart of the Lake District.

Tickets are priced at £12 for adults and £6 for children aged five to 15-years old, with under-fives admitted free. The ticket grants access to the full weekend of events.

Lancaster University researchers from across a range of scientific fields will be informing and entertaining visitors at this year’s event.

Highlights from Lancaster University at the Festival include:

Lightsabre in a Jar

Build your very own ‘lightsabre in a jar’ with Dr Andrew Parker (School of Engineering) and explore the fascinating world of light and energy. Discover the power of different light colours and why it matters for generating electricity, building radiation-detecting cameras, and even spotting cosmic rays from space. A perfect mix of science, creativity, and cool experiments.

What Brings the Northern Lights to the Lake District?

Join Professor Jim Wild (Physics) for a captivating journey through the science, and the myths, behind the Aurora Borealis. With recent displays lighting up UK skies, discover what’s really behind this magical phenomenon. Are sightings becoming more frequent? What causes them? And do they truly look like the photos? Get the facts, the science, and the story behind the sky’s most dazzling light show.

BeeBox

Dr Phil Donkersley (LEC) and Jenny Roberts (School of Engineering) introduce the BeeBox, an innovative new habitat designed to support the survival of our precious bumblebees. Explore the challenges facing pollinators today and learn how design and science can help safeguard their future - featuring live bees!

Strawberry DNA Lab

Did you know that strawberries hold more copies of DNA per cell than humans? Join Dr Lucy Jackson-Jones, Professor Sarah Allinson, Dr Karen Wright, Dr Steven Hall and Joanne Leeman (Biomedical and Life Sciences) for a fun, hands-on activity for all the family. By isolating DNA from strawberries, you’ll learn about the genetic information inside cells that provides the instruction for how cells function.

The Plastic Detectives

Join Dr John Hardy (Chemistry) and Dr Ben Surridge (LEC) in a hands-on mission to uncover the truth about the plastics we use every day. Identify different plastic types found around the home, learn how they’re made and recycled, and discover how you can take action for the environment, including tips to earn your Blue Peter Green Badge!

Shadowplay

Step into the spotlight and watch your movements come to life through the magic of AI. This interactive installation, developed by Dr Roger Whitham and Joseph Lindley (LICA), transforms your gestures into dynamic, artistic visual displays in real time, bringing science, creativity, and technology together in a captivating way.

ISS Innovation Hub: Virtual Reality Northern Lights

Experience the beauty of the Aurora Borealis like never before. Lancaster’s ISS Innovation Hub team invites you to step into a bespoke VR experience that transports you beneath the Northern Lights in an immersive 360° environment. A perfect blend of tech and wonder for all ages.

Get involved and stay connected

For the full programme, further information and to book tickets, visit the Windermere Science Festival website.

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