science 15 final pages final final layout 1...

ARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE

SCIENCE FICTION& THE FUTURE

BACK TO THE FUTURE AT 30

TIME TRAVEL

HACKINGBACK TO

THE FUTURE

INTERNETOF THINGS

EINSTEIN

GRAVITY

GRAPHENE

THE UNIVERSE

ROSETTA

BRIAN COX

EVOLUTION

ALICE ROBERTS

WHAT DO DINOSAURSLOOK LIKE?

DINOSAUR WARS

DINOSAURS

MASS EXTINCTIONS

CLIMATE CHANGE

STEVE BACKSHALL LIFE

COMPATABILITY GENE

EBOLAMATHS OF LOVE

ANTIBIOTICS

SIX DAYS.

INFINITECURIOSITY.

Science 15 Final Pages FINAL FINAL_Layout 1 19/03/2015 10:12

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

Principal Partners

Major Partners

Festival Partners

In Association withTitle Partner

Messier-Bugatti-Dowty

FameLab Partner

Science 15 Final Pages FINAL FINAL_Layout 1 19/03/2015 10:12

A warm welcome to The Times Cheltenham Science Festival,our annual celebration of how the world works and howscience helps us to understand it. Over the course of six days,we hope to inspire, challenge, surprise and entertain you inequal measure. Join us as we showcase ground-breakingresearch, debate the big questions and introduce you to someof the world’s greatest thinkers.

At this year’s Festival, we explore all things dinosaur – from themass extinction event that caused their demise and the peoplewho hunt their bones, to how our image of them has changedas research uncovers new and fascinating characteristics –feathers, speed, colours. The centrepiece of our DinoZone willbe the 7.4m long skeleton of a Gorgosaurus!

And we’re travelling ‘back to the future’ to talk about the film’s30th anniversary: we’ll be looking at time travel, why we don’thave flying cars and what science fiction says about the timewe live in. We’ve even flown in a DeLorean for a bit of fun!

Never shy of a challenge, we explore life and the universe…from antibiotics and childhood bullying to multiverses, MRIscans, quantum technology and Mars – we’re tackling it.

At this year’s Festival we have more free and amazinginteractive zones than ever before. Tour Doc Brown’s InventionLab in the Discover Zone, lock eyes with a Triceratops in theDinoZone, fly a plane in the GE Pavilion, land on Mars in theSiemens Curiosity Zone, enjoy a glass of wine and some debatein the University of Warwick What If? Zone and get up closeand personal with BBC presenters in the BBC Science Zone.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the generoussupport and dedication of our partners, especially The Timesand EDF Energy, our speakers and our army of volunteers.

From the under 5s to over 95s, we look forward to welcomingyou. No science qualifications required – all you need to bringis your curiosity.

The Science Festival team

WELCOMEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE

STEVE BACKSHALL: GUEST DIRECTOR

“A brilliant opportunityto explore everythingfrom giant telescopesto dinosaurs”Steve Backshall

Back by popular demand!Guest Director SteveBackshall wows us withmore amazing animalstories, and talks aboutextreme adventures with analpine climber. And he’s alsojoining in with the fun in theVariety Night event. We’reso pleased to welcome sucha committed Guest Directorback to the Festival.

LOOK OUT FOR OUR BIG TOPICS!

DINOSAURSBACK

TO THEFUTURE

LIFETHE

UNIVERSE

Science 15 Final Pages FINAL FINAL_Layout 1 19/03/2015 10:12 Page 3

Become a member today and you’ll save money on your daily newspaper or tablet edition. You’ll also enjoy full web access so you can explore more of our award-winning journalism as well as exclusive Times+ benefi ts.

The daily newspaper, or the tablet edition Full access to both websitesSmartphone appThe Times Sport appTimes+ o� ers and competitionsExclusive member events

0800 028 2577

Sign up at thetimes.co.uk/cheltenham

UK residents only, aged 18 or over. O ers are subject to availability. New and eligible existing members. You may cancel your membership within 14 days of your membership start date without giving any reason and we will refund all payments received from you. To cancel please call our Member Services team on 0800 018 5177. We reserve the right to change the membership price and/or benefi ts with 30 days’ notice. If you default on any payment, we may take whatever action necessary to recover any unpaid sums. Full Membership and Cancellation Terms can be found at store2.thetimes.co.uk and will be attached to your welcome email or sent by post if requested. Your membership is with Times Newspapers Limited (publishers of The Times and The Sunday Times).

Find the pack that suits you.

Become a member and save money on your daily paper

Become a member today and you’ll save money on your daily newspaper or tablet edition. You’ll also enjoy full web access so you can explore more of our award-winning journalism as well as exclusive Times+ benefi ts.

The daily newspaper, or the tablet edition Full access to both websitesSmartphone appThe Times Sport appTimes+ o� ers and competitionsExclusive member events


Mi, sinullatus core nos exceri officienis quiam faccus ande laccatior acepror epudae pere verions equunt laborem voluptat.

Orum faccull ectoriam sum ea sit quo voluptas et vid que dit omnihil laborepudae pa sim reprat quiatinciae.

EDF Energy is delighted to be the Associate Title Partner of The Times Cheltenham Science Festival

EDF Energy proudly supports:


isit usV in the EDF Energy Zone in Imperial Garown H Zone in the T Town Hall to find out how we ar

of scientists, engineers and thinkers.

oudly supports:EDF Energy prariety Science Festival V Variety Night, Friday 5 June, 8.30pm, EDF Energy Ar


in the EDF Energy Zone in Imperial Gare inspiring the next generation own Hall to find out how we ar

of scientists, engineers and thinkers.

oudly supports:ariety Night, Friday 5 June, 8.30pm, EDF Energy Ar


dens, or inside the Discover in the EDF Energy Zone in Imperial Gare inspiring the next generation

enaariety Night, Friday 5 June, 8.30pm, EDF Energy Ar


dens, or inside the Discover e inspiring the next generation

ariety Science Festival V Variety Night, Friday 5 June, 8.30pm, EDF Energy Arector Steve Backshall and a sensational selection of Festival speakers join Guest Dir

ces to bring you an evening of inspiration, laughs, surprises and spectacular science forentertainment.

Brian Cox: In Conversation, SaturBrian Cox is a particle physicist, r

ofessor for Public Engagement in Science at Manchester Universityappointed PrBrian as he talks about particle physics, engaging people with science and why the UK

e to be the best place in the world to do science.needs to aspir

ariety Night, Friday 5 June, 8.30pm, EDF Energy Arector Steve Backshall and a sensational selection of Festival speakers join

ces to bring you an evening of inspiration, laughs, surprises and spectacular science

day 6 June, 12noon, EDF Energy ArBrian Cox: In Conversation, Satur, and the Royal Society’ock stared retirBrian Cox is a particle physicist, r

ofessor for Public Engagement in Science at Manchester UniversityBrian as he talks about particle physics, engaging people with science and why the UK

e to be the best place in the world to do science.

enaariety Night, Friday 5 June, 8.30pm, EDF Energy Arector Steve Backshall and a sensational selection of Festival speakers join

ces to bring you an evening of inspiration, laughs, surprises and spectacular science

enaday 6 June, 12noon, EDF Energy Ars newly , and the Royal Society’

. Join ofessor for Public Engagement in Science at Manchester UniversityBrian as he talks about particle physics, engaging people with science and why the UK

e to be the best place in the world to do science.


GE PAVILIONFree interactive zoneSuitable for all agesOpen daily 10am-6pmLate opening Wed 3 & Fri 5 June, till 8.15pm

See page 13 for details

[GE logo]

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICKWHAT IF? ZONEFree zoneSuitable for all agesOpen weekdays 3.30-8.30pmSaturday 10am-8.30pmSunday 10am-5pm


SIEMENS CURIOSITY ZONEFree interactive zoneSuitable for all agesOpen Sat 6 & Sun 7 June, 10am-6pm


SCIENCE ZONE

Free eventsSuitable for all agesOpen Fri 5 – Sun 7 June

BBC presenters and producers from yourfavourite shows. Full programme online atcheltenhamfestivals.com/bbc-science-zone

EDF ENERGY ZONEFree interactive zoneSuitable for all agesOpen daily

With a series of fun activities, check out theEDF Energy Zone which hopes to inspirechildren into science.

DISCOVER ZONEFree interactive zoneSuitable for all agesOpen daily 10am-5pmLate opening for adults Fri 5 June, 8-10pm


DINOZONEFree interactive zoneSuitable for all agesOpen Tues 2 & Weds 3 June 10am-6pmThurs 4 – Sun 7 June 10am-9pm


SCIENCE TRAILFree activitySuitable for all ages

Come face-to-face with prehistoriccreatures and discover some fascinatingfacts about dinosaurs. Collect your quizsheet from the Waterstones Book Tent inThe Times Science Hub.

EARLY YEARS DISCOVER ZONEFree interactive zoneSt Andrew’s ChurchSuitable for under 7sSat 6 June 10am-4pm

Visit our special zone with hands-onactivities specifically designed for littleones. Find out more atcheltenhamfestivals.com/earlyyears

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIESFreeSuitable for all agesSat 6 & Sun 7 June from 11am

Interactive activities for all the family inImperial Gardens. Find out more atcheltenhamfestivals.com/science-in-the-square

THE GENETICS OF BEING SOCIALFree activityTown HallDaily, over 18s only

Are you a social butterfly or a wall flower?Take part in the University of Oxford’s researchexploring the genetics of being social.

THE TIMES SCIENCE HUBRelax in The Times Café and take part inlively discussion in The Times Talking Point.Book signings will be held in theWaterstones Book Shop.

BOX OFFICEOpen daily until the last event of each day

Buy tickets online atcheltenhamfestivals.com/science or call0844 880 8094.

VIRTUAL ROMAN EXPERIENCEFree activitySuitable for all agesOpen Sat 6 & Sun 7 June

Experience Chedworth Roman Villa likenever before: take control of a chariot,compete against friends and dodgegladiators in this virtual reality race.

THE DELOREANOpen daily

Go back to the future and step into DocBrown’s iconic time machine. Roads? Whereyou’re going, you don’t need roads.

BIOBLITZFree activitySuitable for all agesOpen daily

Meet the Bioblitz team, discover how toexplore the wildlife around you and how toget involved with the virtual Bioblitz. Findout more atcheltenhamfestivals.com/science-in-the-square


FESTIVAL MAP & FREE ACTIVITIES 6/7


EDF ENERGY ARENA

DISCOVER ZONE

DINOZONE

THETIMES

SCIENCEHUB

THE TIMES CAFÉ& TALKING POINT

BBC SCIENCEZONE

FOOD & DRINK

TOWN HALL

CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE PARABOLA ARTS CENTREKITCHENSDANCE STUDIO

IMPERIAL SQUARE

IMPERIAL SQUARE

IMP

ER

IAL

SQ

UA

RE

PR

OM

EN

AD

E

PILLAR ROOM

WATERSTONESBOOK SHOP

UNIVERSITY OFWARWICK

WHAT IF? ZONE

VIRTUAL ROMANEXPERIENCE

EDF ENERGYZONE

BOX OFFICE

HELIX THEATRE WINTON CRUCIBLE

EARLY YEARS DISCOVER ZONE, ST ANDREW'S CHURCH

SIEMENS CURIOSITY ZONE

GE PAVILION

DELOREAN

BOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



In association with

DISCOVER ZONETravel back to the future (and past) in DocBrown’s Invention Lab, just likeMartyMcFly! If that doesn’t get yourDeLorean revving, navigate a remotecontrolled car through an overhead maze,power a rocket, have a go at coding andcryptography or explore the mysteries oflight and futuristic materials.

Filled with exciting hands-on activities, kids and grown-ups alike will have tons offun in the Discover Zone.

TOWN HALL, MAIN HALLOPENING TIMES10AM-5PM DAILY, 2-7 JUNESUITABLE FOR ALL AGESFREE ENTRY

ADULTSDon’t miss the special late

opening of the Discover Zone on 5 June. Avoid the crowds, enjoy a drink and try the activities foryourselves — without the kids.

FRIDAY 5 JUNE, 8-10PMOVER 18s ONLY

FREE ENTRY

The bar will be open during this event

Messier-Bugatti-Dowty is the world leader in the design, development, manufactureand support of aircraft landing and braking systems. We are proud to support TheTimes Cheltenham Science Festival and inspire the next generation of scientists andengineers as lead partner for the Discover Zone.

FREEINTERACTIVE

ZONE

8/9


Have you ever touched a realdinosaur bone? Here’s your chance!Get up close and personal with the7.4 metre long skeleton of aGorgosaurus (pictured) and stareinto the eye (sockets) of aTriceratops skull.

See what the dinosaurs would haveseen and explore our prehistoriclandscape under a canopy of stars.Get hands-on creating an asteroidimpact on earth and find out whatdinosaurs have to do with extra-terrestrial activity.

OPENING TIMES2-3 JUNE: 10AM-6PM4-7 JUNE: 10AM-9PMSUITABLE FOR ALL AGESFREE ENTRY

The Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and The University of Manchester are proud to be working with Cheltenham Festivals onthis year’s new and highly collaborative DinoZone. STFC is one of Europe’s largest multi-disciplinary research organisations, with the goal ofdelivering World Class Research, Innovation and Skills for the benefit of the United Kingdom and its people – and for the world more broadly.The University of Manchester harnesses a breadth of research activity that is unrivalled in the UK, working across disciplines and beyond theUniversity to connect the brightest minds and find innovative solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.

With support from

FREEINTERACTIVE

ZONE

DINOZONE


Winton is a global investment management business, founded on the firm belief in the application of science and technology to the world ofinvestment management. Winton sponsors numerous organisations that support learning, development and careers in science andengineering, and is a long-standing Principal Partner of The Times Cheltenham Science Festival. wintoncapital.com

Winton are proud to support some of the top speakers at this year’sScience Festival – with statistician David Hand, astronomer Martin Rees and Monica Grady of the Rosetta project.

Rosetta: To Catch a Comet‘It’s landed - I’ve waitedyears for this!’ Amongstexcitement and tears,Monica Grady’s reaction tothe Philae lander touchingdown on comet67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko was clearlyone of sheer joy and elation:ten years after its launchand many more since theidea for the project was firstconceived. But it’s not allabout the lander – Rosettacontinues on, following thecomet as it journeys closerto the sun… Monica Gradyand Matt Taylor share theirlifetimes’ work, commitment,hope and the ultimatecareer high: Thurs 4 June, 6pm, S059

Martin Rees: From Mars tothe MultiverseLord Martin Rees is one ofthe world’s most eminentastronomers and thecurrent Astronomer Royal.He’s also one of our keythinkers on the future ofhumanity, and has beeninstrumental in galvanisinginterest and stimulatingdebate about artificialintelligence, asteroidimpacts and theresponsibility of scientists ina swiftly advancingtechnological age. LordRees joins us to discuss theastonishing developmentsin astronomy andcosmology, from Mars to themultiverse: Fri 5 June, 8.30pm, S097

David Hand: TheImprobability PrincipleOn 12 March 1951, a newcharacter made his debut inthe British comic The Beano.His name was Dennis theMenace, a boy who got intoall sorts of scrapes. A fewhours later on 12 March 1951,on the other side of theAtlantic, a new newspapercomic strip appeared, alsofeaturing Dennis theMenace. But these Dennisthe Menaces were different.Their creators had no ideaof each other’s work: surelythe most extraordinary ofcoincidences. With theimprobability principle,David Hand shows us that suchthings are to be expected:Sun 7 June, 2.30pm, S131

Winton are proud to support some of the top speakers at this year’sScience Festival – with statistician David Hand, astronomer Martin Rees and Monica Grady of the Rosetta project.


The Curiosity Project is a three-year engagement programme by Siemens, broadening existinginvestment to bring science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to life in the UK.Find out more at siemens.co.uk/curiosity-project

Siemens was established in the UK over 170 years ago and now employs about 13,760 people inthe UK with sites across the country. Siemens finds answers to the big questions of our time,focusing on the areas of electrification, automation and digitalisation.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT WHAT

CURIOSITY HASDISCOVERED SO FAR?

COME ALONG TO:A CURIOSITY FOR MARS,SUN 7 JUNE, 6PM, S138

FREEINTERACTIVE

ZONE

SIEMENSCURIOSITYZONEWelcome to the red planet! Get ready toland at the Siemens Curiosity Zone, whereyou can explore the mysteries of Mars.From meteorites to solar gazing, nothing is off-limits.

Come and get up close to a huge half-scalemodel of Curiosity, the robotic rovercurrently exploring the surface of Mars;and spark your own curiosity by gettinghands-on with materials that could helpyou survive a mission in space!

OPENING TIMESSAT 6 & SUN 7 JUNE, 10AM-6PMFREE ENTRY

Also, don’t miss the following workshops andevents taking place in the Siemens CuriosityZone:

How Hackers Hack, Tues 2 June, 7pm, S012 & 8.30pm, S013Mathematical Origami, Weds 3 June, 6.45pm, S039 & 8.15pm, S040Virtual Reality: Make Your Own, Thurs 4 June, 6pm, S063 & 7.30pm, S064Close-Up Science, Fri 5 June, 6.15pm, S088 & 7.45pm, S089

10/11


UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK

WHAT IF? ZONEFREE

IDEAS CAFÉ FREE ENTRY

Join us over complimentary

wine and nibbles to meet the experts and discover more

in our Ideas Café events.

The University of Warwick is delighted to be aPrincipal Partner of The Times CheltenhamScience Festival in our 50th anniversary year.

The future isn’t as far away as you think...

For this, and many other intriguing thoughts,visit the University of Warwick What If? Zone inImperial Gardens.

We’re holding a series of drop-in sessionsthroughout the afternoons and evenings. Join usto discover a different theme every day, from bigdata to robotics, psychology to hacking.

And, with four Ideas Café evening events takingon subjects in-depth, you can expect to leaveenlightened.

Have you ever thought about exploring hiddenstructures within crystals? Want to know whyWarwick scientists are turning our world’smegacities into experimental labs? Wonder if thecyber-world can truly keep our children safe?

If you’re interested in finding out the answersabout the future, come along to Cheltenham andask yourself: “What if?”

Ideas Café Events

What if… cyberbullying is an overratedphenomenon? with Dieter Wolke, Wed 3 June, 6.45pm, S041

What if… data science can solve our future? with Mark Girolami, Thurs 4 June, 7.30pm, S067

What if... the future were as clear ascrystallography? Fri 5 June, 7.15pm, S093

What if… robots are our future? Sat 6 June, 7.30pm, S119

OPENING TIMES2-5 JUNE: 3.30-8.30PM6 JUNE: 10AM–8.30PM7 JUNE: 10AM–5PMFREE ENTRY


GE (NYSE: GE) imagines things others don’t, builds things others can’t and delivers outcomes that make the world work better. GE bringstogether the physical and digital worlds in ways no other company can. In its labs and factories and on the ground with customers, GE isinventing the next industrial era to move, power, build and cure the world. www.ge.com

GE PAVILIONJoin GE and get to grips with some cutting-edge technology. Fly and land a jet airplanein GE Aviation’s flight simulator; see how GEuses non-destructive testing in engineblades and propellers; step into the world ofLife Science and Medical Diagnostics withGE Healthcare; and investigate deep-seadrilling with GE Oil & Gas. Plus much more!

OPENING TIMES10AM-6PM DAILY, 2-7 JUNE

LATE NIGHT OPENING:WED 3 & FRI 5 JUNE, 10AM-8.15PMSUITABLE FOR ALL AGESFREE

GE proudly supports:

Air Traffic Control, Tue 2 June,6pm, S008

What makes a good air trafficcontroller? And what

technology is involved?

Over-Ambitious Demo Challenge 2015, Sat 6 June,

8.45pm, S123The Festival’s infamous annual

contest for the most spectacularshow-stopping experiment!

FREE ARDUINO WORKSHOPS Wed 3 & Fri 5 June

Come along to our freeworkshops where you can join

software engineers to getstarted in programming.

FREEINTERACTIVE

ZONE

12/13


PETE LARSON: T. REX APPEAL6.30-7.30PM, S009

Palaeontologist Peter Larson andhis team discovered Sue, the mostcomplete Tyrannosaurus rex everfound. After Sue’s discovery cameFBI agents, court cases and a jailsentence. But beyond thecontroversy, Pete’s scientificaccomplishments are rewriting howwe see T. rex. In March, Senatorsvoted unanimously for aPresidential Pardon for Larson’sservices to palaeontology. Alsodon’t miss Pete in DinosaurHunters, Fri 5 June, 2.15pm, S075.

WILL GREGORY’S BRIEFHISTORY OF SYNTHS7.45-9.15PM, S015

In the world of music, can anythingbetter illustrate our Back to theFuture theme than the sound of thesynthesizer? Back in the 60s and70s, these hi-tech boxes of trickswere the sound of the future andhad a revolutionary effect on popand rock music. Now, theseanalogue miracles of electronicsare back in fashion and Goldfrapp’sWill Gregory is best placed to showus why.

DROPPING THE BOMB: WORLD-CHANGING DECISIONS8.30-9.45PM, S018

Hiroshima and Nagasaki werebombed three days apart. As apublic science festival, it’s our dutyto ask difficult questions of scienceand scientists, so 70 years afteratomic bombs were dropped onJapan, we wonder: is therelationship between science,politics and social responsibilitydifferent now? From The Times’archive, John Heffernan, star of theRSC’s Oppenheimer, reads theextraordinary commentary andletters from the days surroundingthe bombings.

DON’TMISS

TUESDAY 2 JUNE 14/15

DINOSAURS

THE UNIVERSE

BACK TO THE FUTURE

LIFE

HOW TO TELL THE WEATHER4.30-5.30pm, S004

The world over, Brits are infamous for talkingabout the weather: it’s a hot topic ofconversation for us. But with hazy predictionsof what the weather will be tomorrow, it’s notsurprising that forecasters can get a chillyreception! Attempting to burn off the fog ofconfusion, we’ve invited physicist Tim Palmerand weather forecaster Michael Fish. Thisevent is not to be mist!


PSYCHOLOGY

WHAT IS HAPPINESS?

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM 2-3PM, £7

Happiness is a feeling we all know. But whatmakes us feel happy? What happens insideour grey matter to stop us feeling blue?Uncovering what is going on inside ourheads with psychology and neuroscience,science journalist Stefan Klein exploreshow our brains make us happy and what wecan do to make ourselves happier.

HEALTH

OUR FRIENDLY BACTERIA

WINTON CRUCIBLE2.30-3.30PM, £7

You may be horrified to learn that yourbody contains ten times as many bacteriacells as human cells. But without them yourskin and immune system suffer, and yourteeth could fall out! Immunologist FionaPowrie, microbiologist Lindsay Hall andAdam Hart explore this vital bacterialecosystem, and what happens when thingsgo wrong: from allergies to cancer.

S001

S002

ENTERTAINMENT

A NOTE ON PERFUME

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM4-5PM, £8

“You are never fully dressed withoutperfume.” — C. JoyBell C.

Perfumer John Stephen is owner and ‘nose’of Cotswold Perfumery and has over 45years’ experience creating fine fragrancesfor the niche market. He discusses thescience of scents, how the nose works, howperfumery has changed over time and howperfume ‘notes’ work together to create thefinest of fragrances.

Fragrance tester strips will be used in thisevent

ENVIRONMENT

HOW TO TELL THEWEATHER

EDF ENERGY ARENA4.30-5.30PM, £8

You can be certain about death and taxes,but the weather? Even the best forecasterscan get it wrong, and not only a little wrong— just ask Michael Fish. He joins physicistTim Palmer as they explore what goes intoweather prediction and just how likely it isto rain on Tuesday…

S003

S004

HEALTH

TREATING MENTALILLNESS


One in four people will suffer from mentalhealth disorder during their lifetime. Andyet the treatment for depression, anxiety,stress and many others is shrouded inmystery — with tales of biased studiesfunded by drug companies and trials hiddenfrom the public eye. With stories from hispersonal experiences, David Adam joinspsychiatrist Guy Goodwin as they discussthe facts behind therapies and drug-basedtreatments.

TECHNOLOGY

SELF-DRIVING CARS

HELIX THEATRE4.30-5.30PM, £7

Do robots really make better drivers? Withofficial UK trials going on, driverless carsaren’t science fiction any more. While theymight not drink and drive or fall asleep atthe wheel, how are they able to makecrucial decisions on our roads? ErgonomistMark Young and robotics scientist PaulNewman discuss how machines and peopledrive differently.

S006

S005

TUESDAY 2 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE

FULL MEMBERS GET 10% OFF MOST EVENTS, GO TOCHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/MEMBERSHIP FOR DETAILS

Audi’s self-driving RS7


HEALTH

IMMUNOTHERAPY ANDCANCER TREATMENT

BBC SCIENCE ZONE*5.30-6.30PM, £7

Many of today’s cancer treatments havehorrible side effects and survival rates canbe scarily low. But what if we could use ourown immune systems to fight cancer?Immunologist David Morgan, pathologistGareth Thomas and paediatric oncologistJuliet Gray look at the new research inimmunotherapy and its impact on cancertreatment.

*This is a Cheltenham Science Festival event

TECHNOLOGY

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL


The comings and goings, landings and take-offs of the 6,000 planes daily frequentingUK airspace are monitored by a network ofair traffic controllers across the country:but what exactly does this job entail? JoinGlobal-ATS Chief Instructor Adam Mullins ashe talks about what makes a good air traffic controller and the technologyinvolved in one of the most high-pressurejobs in the world.

S008

S007

HEALTH

THE COMPATIBILITY GENE


A tiny cluster of our 25,000 genes aredisproportionately involved in defining whowe are: how we fight disease, how ourbrains are wired and perhaps even howcompatible we are with other people.Immunologist Daniel M. Davis tells theremarkable sixty-year story of these genes’discovery and traces this true scientificrevolution in our understanding of ourrelationships, health and individuality.

WORKSHOP

HOW HACKERS HACK


7-8PM

8.30-9.30PM

£12

A workshop for beginners andtechnophobes, Paul Crichard and his teamshow you how easy and yet how dangerouscyber-attacks can be, arming you with theknowledge to protect your computers anddevices.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

SCIENCE QUESTION TIME

BBC SCIENCE ZONE*7.45-8.45PM, FREE

Explore today’s biggest debates, newestdiscoveries and favourite Festival momentswith journalists from The Times and aselection of the day’s speakers.


S012

S013

S011

S014

TUESDAY 2 JUNE 16/17

SEARCH USING THE AT

CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM TO FIND YOUR EVENT INSTANTLY

Quickfind Code

DINOSAURS

PETE LARSON: T. REX APPEAL


Worth $8.36 million and 90% complete, Sueis the most famous T. rex in the world, andher excavator, Pete Larson, is possibly themost infamous dinosaur hunter after theAmerican Government jailed him. Join usfor an interview with Pete to dig deeper intothe science of fossil hunting andcontroversial old bones.

HISTORY

BRUNO PONTECORVO:PHYSICIST OR SPY?


Bruno Pontecorvo’s work on the ManhattanProject helped usher in the nuclear age. Hewas known to all as a brilliant physicist andpotential candidate for the Nobel Prize. Sowhy, on the cusp of greatness, would hedefect to the wrong side of the Iron Curtainand vanish for years? Frank Close shedslight on the genius’s life and work, andreveals Kim Philby’s role in thedisappearance.

S009

S010


ENTERTAINMENT

WILL GREGORY’S BRIEFHISTORY OF SYNTHSPARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE7.45-9.15PM£12

Do you know your oscillators from yourenvelope generators, your patch panelsfrom your ring modulators? Goldfrapp’scomposer-keyboardist Will Gregory has avast collection of antique, analoguesynthesizers and loves coaxing wonderfuland wonderfully strange sounds out ofthem. Showcasing a few of his favourites onstage, this interactive, try-them-yourselvesevent is guaranteed to make you fall in lovewith the world of Moogs, Korgs and theirmore alternative cousins.

LIFE

HOW TO FREEZE A HUMAN


Surviving prolonged sub-zero temperaturessounds like the stuff of science fiction; butsome frogs and toads can survive beingfrozen solid — and some fish even havetheir own biological antifreeze. With lots ofcool demonstrations, chemist MatthewGibson shows that while we probably won'tall be frozen heads in jars for a while, thistechnology can help save lives today.

S015

S016

MATHS

THE MATHEMATICS OFLOVE


What’s the chance of finding love? What’sthe probability it will last? Love’s rituals, likemost things in life, are full of patterns. Theytwist, turn, warp and evolve: and so to helpdefine the difficulties of dating, we can turnto mathematics. Find out the best way toquantify affection with mathematicianHannah Fry, as she applies herself to solvethe love equation.

S017

HISTORY

DROPPING THE BOMB:WORLD-CHANGINGDECISIONS


Seventy years on from the bombing ofHiroshima and Nagasaki, physicist FrankClose and policy expert Ken Young exploreour attitude towards social responsibilityand how our response to threat has beenforever shaped by the events of 1945. ActorJohn Heffernan, star of acclaimed RSCproduction Oppenheimer, brings to life thevoices of the day with extraordinarymaterial from The Times’ archive.

FOOD & DRINK

WINE, CHEESE ANDMICROBES

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM8.30-10PM, £15

Wine and cheese are a classic combinationand each have been enjoyed for thousandsof years. But did you know that microbesare the main agents that turn grapes intowine and milk into cheese? MicrobiologistAnthony Hilton explores the fermentationprocess while wine expert Geoff Taylordiscusses flavours. With tasters of each, saycheese and let’s toast to microbes! Over 18s only

S019

S018

TUESDAY 2 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE




WHAT’S UP WITH GRAVITY?8.30-9.30PM, S047

After so many gravity questionscame up in the 2014 Festival, weknew we had to take a closer look atthe force. And given that it’s anecessity for our very existence, wewere surprised to find out how muchwe don’t know! That’s why we aretalking about gravity with MichaelBrooks, looking at what we know andwhat we still don’t know.

ANNE GLOVER: SCIENCE IN THEPOLITICAL ARENA2-3PM, S023

Anne Glover is the only person to have everheld the position of Chief Scientific Adviser tothe European Parliament: the job wasscrapped before anyone else could hold theposition. We candidly interview Anne aboutscience and politics. Also don’t miss Anne inSpace: Is It Worth the Money? Thurs 4 June,8pm, S069.

HOPE FOR REPAIRING THE SPINE?6.30-7.30PM, S034

Geoff Raisman and his team developed a cutting-edge technique that has fundamentally changedthe way that we see spinal cord injury. Exploringwork at the forefront of medical advancement issomething we love to bring to the Festival. But wealso wanted to ask how research like this is viewedwhen one day it could make a difference to you,so we invited The Times’ Spinal Column authorMelanie Reid for her perspective.

DON’TMISS

WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 18/19

DINOSAURS

THE UNIVERSE

BACK TO THE FUTURE

LIFE

DESIGNING CITIES FOR THEFUTURE4-5PM, S028

After discovering a podcast aboutarchitecture, our eyes have beenopened to how much design can anddoes affect all of our lives: fromchairs to street signs to buildings androads. Rachel Cooper is a designerwho has had her eye on the prize allalong and joins us to talk about howwe’ll design cities of the future tomake ourselves healthier and theworld a happier place.


ENTERTAINMENT

FAMELABINTERNATIONAL SEMI-FINALS

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE

11AM-12.30PM

1.30-3PM

4-5.30PM

FREE

Can you explain the latest of science andengineering in just three minutes?FameLab, the world’s greatest internationalscience competition, is back to excite andentertain you. Coming from 27 countries,our semi-finalists will battle it out for aplace in the FameLab International Final onThurs 4 June, 8.30pm, S070.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

ANNE GLOVER: SCIENCEIN THE POLITICAL ARENA

WINTON CRUCIBLE2-3PM, £8

After three years, the EuropeanCommission brought an end to the positionof Chief Scientific Adviser, held by topscientist Anne Glover. Some might say‘that’s politics’, but how does this impactthe scientific credibility of government?Can policy really be informed by just oneperson? In this candid interview, Annediscusses if science suffers when it movesinto the political arena.

S020

S021

S022

S023

PSYCHOLOGY

DO WE HAVE FREE WILL?

EDF ENERGY ARENA2-3PM, £8

Is free will simply an illusion? Or are you themaster of your own fate? Whether or not wecontrol our destiny is an age old debateamongst philosophers, but modernneuroscience has weighed in with its ownideas on the matter. Philosopher JulianBaggini and neuroscientist PatrickHaggard ask: do we have free will?

HEALTH

HOW YOUR LIFE AFFECTSYOUR GENES


Everything you have been exposed to overyour lifetime, where you grew up, the foodyou eat, even the toiletries you use: this isyour ‘exposome’, and can affect not onlyyour health but perhaps that of yourchildren and children’s children. Withenvironmental health scientist Frank Kellyand biologists Nessa Carey and HectorKeun, discover more about this incredibleworld of epigenetics, and how life can affectyour genes.

PHYSICS

EINSTEIN’S MASTERWORK


Einstein said of his 1915 General Theory ofRelativity that it was ‘the most valuabletheory of my life’. Despite describing theevolution of the universe, black holes, eventhe possibility of time travel, we thinkinstead of E=mc2, his lesser theory of 1905,as his masterwork. John Gribbin restoresEinstein’s General Theory to its rightfulplace, exploring why his greatest year wasindeed 1915.

S025

S026

S024

HEALTH

MINDFULNESS


‘Being mindful’ is being more aware of theworld around you, embracing all thesensations it has to offer. Mindfulnessharnesses this idea to the benefit of yourentire mental well-being and has become atechnique to help fight stress anddepression. Clinical psychologist LindaBlair demonstrates mindfulness, includingtechniques that you can apply to your day-to-day life.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

DESIGNING CITIES FORTHE FUTURE

BBC SCIENCE ZONE*4-5PM, £7

Designer Rachel Cooper’s vision for thefuture is one in which our cities help usmake healthier choices, breathe cleaner airand live better lives. She joins us to showhow using design principles can help usachieve our future aspirations and the topten ideas for what makes a liveable city.


CURRENT AFFAIRS

EYES IN THE SKY


Today a drone costs little more than aphone. These small flying cameras aretransforming filmmaking, aerial cropsurveys and emergency response, but theyare also controversial. To celebrate anddebate their use, the Civil AviationAuthority’s Gerry Corbett joins ThomasHannen, the Senior Innovations Producerfor the BBC: one of the few mediaorganisations with its own drone journalismteam.

S027

S028

S029

WEDNESDAY 3 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



WORKSHOP

ARDUINO PROGRAMMING

GE PAVILION5.45-6.15PM

6.45-7.15PM

7.45-8.15PMFREE

If you think that Java is just an island,Python a snake and C++ a grade thenperhaps the software engineers at GE canhelp. Whether you have a basicunderstanding in programming or don’tknow where to start, try a GE workshop for atutorial in programming an Arduino tocontrol lights and motors.

CURRENT AFFAIRS


BBC SCIENCE ZONE*6-7PM, FREE



HEALTH

HOPE FOR REPAIRING THE SPINE?


In October last year Geoff Raisman’s teamrevealed that they had enabled a paralysedman to walk again. Join Geoff to discuss theincredible stem cell research that hasbrought hope to so many. Joining via livevideo, The Times’ Spinal Column authorMelanie Reid speaks about her journey, andhow waiting for the progress of science isnot always a good thing.

S030

S031

S032

S033

S034

TECHNOLOGY

HACKING THE INTERNETOF THINGS


If it’s connected to the internet, it’svulnerable to cyberattacks. If that’s yourcomputer, you probably have defences inplace — but what about if it’s your fridge? OrTV, or even your children’s toys? TheInternet of Things allows a revolutionaryway of life, but security is lagging behind.Adrian McEwen with cybersecurity expertsSadie Creese and Martyn Ruks explorewhat you need to know.

NATURE

YOUR GARDEN BY NIGHT


By day, our gardens are a familiar sight witheye-catching flowers and beautiful birds. Asnight falls, our gardens host a different setof visitors: the plants we know so well byday changing to welcome their nocturnalguests. Plant scientist Heather Whitneydiscusses pollination and ecologist AdamHart talks about moths with VivienneParry, as they shed light on what goes onafter dark in our own back gardens.

S036

S035

PSYCHOLOGY

HUMOUR AND HUMANITY:WHAT'S THECONNECTION?

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE6.30-7.30PM£9

What can humour tell us about beinghuman? Do we learn to be funny or is itsomething we are born with? SociologistSharon Lockyer is joined by comedianRobin Ince, Geoff Rowe of the LeicesterComedy Festival and neuroscientist andlaughter expert Sophie Scott to look at theevolution of humour and the dynamic andcomplex role it plays in our everyday lives.

MATHS

BELL RINGING

CHELTENHAM MINSTER, ST MARY’S6.30-7.45PM, £10

From the sombre toll of a single bell to themajesty of a whole peal, bell ringing hasbeen part of English culture for centuries.But did you know that behind this age oldtradition there is a whole lot of science?There will be bells-a-ringing whenmathematician Rob Sturman and bellhistorian George Dawson join the ringers ofCheltenham Minster as they uncover themaths and physics behind campanology.

WORKSHOP

MATHEMATICAL ORIGAMI

SIEMENS CURIOSITY ZONE6.45-7.45PM

8.15-9.15PM

£12

The Japanese art of origami createsbreathtaking shapes simply from paper —and it is not only ancient but surprisinglymathematical. Mathematician KatieSteckles demonstrates how to buildbeautiful paper structures using origamitechniques, including her favouritemathematical designs. Join the fold and gethands-on in this origami workshop.

All materials provided and no experiencenecessary

S037

S039

S040

S038

WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 20/21

SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code


IDEAS CAFÉ

WHAT IF...CYBERBULLYING IS ANOVERRATEDPHENOMENON?

UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK WHAT IF? ZONE6.45-7.45PM, FREE

Cyberbullying makes the headlines everyweek. Cyber bullies can reach their victims 24hours every day. But how is cyberbullyingdifferent from traditional bullying at school?Does it hurt the same, more or less? Whobullies using e-technology? Does it do moredamage than traditional bullying? Discussthe evidence with Dieter Wolke and leadingresearchers from the University of Warwickover a glass of wine and some nibbles.

FOOD & DRINK

WINE, CHAMPAGNE ANDMUSIC

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM

7.30-8.15PM

8.45-9.30PM

£10

Did you know you can taste with your ears?Or that music has a profound effect on thetaste of champagne? Before you putanything into your earholes, listen to winephilosopher Barry Smith as hedemonstrates (on you) why what you hearwhile sipping bubbly can dramatically alteryour drinking pleasure. It turns out that ifyou don’t like the wine, you can just changethe music!

Over 18s only

S042

S043

S041

TECHNOLOGY

THE FUTURE OF HEALTH:ETHICS AND PRIVACY


Internet of Things technologies — fitnesswristbands and smart watches — are movinghealth from the hospital to the home. But ifyour watch, thermostat and games consolecould manage your well-being, how wouldyou feel about being constantly monitored?Engineer Ian Craddock and social scientistMadeleine Murtagh delve into thetechnology and the ethics, and ask if this isa future of health we can live with.


PSYCHOLOGY

SIBLINGS AND PEERS:MAKING YOUR LIFE AMISERY?


You may think that parents have the biggestimpact on children’s social and emotionaldevelopment, but it could be that siblingand school relationships have a much largerpart to play. Dieter Wolke looks at how yourchildhood peers affect your mental andphysical well-being, even as an adult.

PSYCHOLOGY

RORY SUTHERLAND:SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF


With numerous TED talks and column inchesas author of The Spectator’s Wiki Mancolumn, advertising chief and ‘BehavioralEconomics Impresario’ Rory Sutherland isone of the most outspoken and creativevoices in adland. Join him for a humorousand enlightening look at the world ofbehavioural economics, neuroscience and‘nudging’: how small changes can make bigdifferences to our lives, and how everyonecan learn from the social sciences.

S044

S046

S045

PHYSICS

WHAT’S UP WITHGRAVITY?


Gravity affects us in every aspect of ourlives but it is far from understood. FromNewton and Einstein to Hawking, ourgreatest minds have struggled tocomprehend this mysterious force. Canmodern science uncover more about whatgravity is and how it works? Join writer andquantum physicist Michael Brooks to findout just what we know and what remainsbeyond our understanding.

ENTERTAINMENT

ROBIN INCE’S REALITYTUNNEL

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE8.30-9.30PM£10

Comedian Robin Ince scrutinises thehuman mind, propaganda, feuds andinternet nonsense in an attempt to workout just how much you can trust yourinstincts. How critically do we really think?Possibly a show about art, possibly ascream against TV, maybe some science too— nothing is certain, except that Robin willenergetically release whatever has beensitting and jiggling about in his mind.

S048

S047

WEDNESDAY 3 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



THURSDAY 4 JUNE 22/23

CHRIS RAPLEY ON CLIMATECHANGE4-5PM, S054

The choices we make today willaffect generations to come. Few aremore aware of this than climatescientist Chris Rapley, whose play2071 is set in the year hisgranddaughter will have reachedhis age today. Exploring what herlife might be like in the wake ofcontinued greenhouse gasemissions, his call for collectiveaction is a powerful reminder thatfuture generations are dependingon us.

ROSETTA: TO CATCH A COMET6-7PM, S059

Rosetta, an epic tale 30 years in themaking; this is the sort of thing thatmakes us proud to be human. Afterleaving earth 10 years ago, Rosettais helping to unravel the mysteriesof our solar system and perhapseven life itself. We’re waiting to seeif Rosetta’s Philae lander comesback to life, so join us to find outmore about this historic mission.

EBOLA 2-3PM, S051

The Ebola crisis in West Africa hasbeen all over the news, with high-profile cases in the UK andscreenings that may be morepolitically motivated than scientific.Ebola is the virus equivalent of thebogeyman, but we’re keen to showthe science behind the headlines.We want to dispel some Ebolamyths and talk about why it’s sohard to ‘cure’ any viral infection.

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF TASTE 8.45-10.15PM, S072

We love a science event with a twist and afterseeing what Charles Spence can do with acocktail, we asked for more! He shows us howsome foods can deceive us into thinking we aretasting something we are not and has invited achef friend along to tingle your taste buds, sobon appétit!

DON’TMISS

DINOSAURS

THE UNIVERSE

BACK TO THE FUTURE

LIFE


NATURE

UNDISCOVERED OWLS

BBC SCIENCE ZONE*12NOON-1PM, £7

While researching and recording owls intheir environment, author Magnus Robband The Sound Approach teamrediscovered a huge fish owl in Turkey andan entirely new species in Oman, by soundalone! Closer to home, they have listenedwith new ears to more common species,leading to fascinating new insights. Magnuspresents the best recordings from adecade-long quest to turn bird watchersinto bird listeners.


PHYSICS

HEINZ WOLFF: INVENTORAND INNOVATOR


In addition to being the man who coined theterm ‘bioengineering’, physicist Heinz Wolff’saccomplished career and achievementsspan decades. Quentin Cooper interviewsHeinz about his life and work: on moving toBritain at the outbreak of World War II;becoming the face of the BBC’s The GreatEgg Race, which tested the abilities ofteams of inventors; and creating a mincepie particle accelerator...

CURRENT AFFAIRS

EBOLA


The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has rapidlybecome the deadliest since the discovery ofthe virus. Was the British Government’sresponse the correct one? What are therisks to us? And what do we really knowabout this deadly disease? Experts DavidEvans, Adrian Hill and Peter Horby revealthe history and biology of Ebola and discusshow close we are to ending the crisis.

S049

S050

S051

HISTORY

MAGNA CARTA

HELIX THEATRE2-3PM, £7

2015 marks the 800th anniversary of MagnaCarta — the original human rights act, and arallying cry for freedom and civil liberties.Historian Nicholas Vincent discusses whatthe charter meant at the time; andconservation expert Cordelia Rogersonreveals how Magna Carta has beenmaintained over the centuries, and whatsecrets the British Library recently found inits pages...

HEALTH

MYTH-BUSTING:ALLERGIES


Allergies are on the rise, or so say theheadlines. Is honey a cure for hayfever? Canyou wean yourself off an allergy, or stopyourself developing a new one? Can wegrow out of allergies as we get older?Consultant immunologist Tariq El-Shanawany and Sense About Science’sTracey Brown challenge some of thecurrent allergy misconceptions.


ENVIRONMENT

CHRIS RAPLEY ONCLIMATE CHANGE


2071: the year that climate scientist ChrisRapley’s granddaughter will be the age heis now, and the subject of his recent play onhow we can expect the world to change. Butwhen it comes to climate change, somethink that doing nothing is better thandoing something stupid. He joins us to talkabout what scientists can do to reallyengage the public in the conversation.

S052

S053

S054

HEALTH

HOW YOUR LIFE AFFECTSYOUR BRAIN


Can the way you live reduce your chance ofdeveloping Alzheimer’s? By monitoringgroups of people over their lifetimes, andwith genetic data, brain scans and medicalhistories, researchers are building ascomplete a picture as possible of howdementia develops. John Gallacher andNick Fox join us to show how these studiescan uncover the risks involved indeveloping forms of dementia, and howthey can be avoided.

TECHNOLOGY

NATURALNANOTECHNOLOGY?


Of course technology doesn’t grow ontrees... does it? In fact, biology makes itsown versions of batteries, displays andprocessors, using very tiny nanoscalecomponents. Could mimicking biologyimprove our own technology and eliminatepollution at the same time? Join nano-biophysicist Chris Forman and find out...

HEALTH

ARE WE OVER-MEDICATED?


Aspirin, statins for cholesterol,antidepressants, treatments for high bloodpressure: medicines are no longer justshort-term lifesavers, but are becominglifestyle drugs. Although given with goodintentions, are they really improving qualityof life? Or are patients increasingly caughtin a loop of GP appointments and repeatprescriptions? Clinical pharmacologistSimon Maxwell asks: are we over-medicated?


S056

S055

S057

THURSDAY 4 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



ENTERTAINMENT

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BRAIN

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM4.15-5.15PM, £9

Thoughts, emotions, desires — these arenot just connections in your brain: theydepend on connections between our brains.With witty words, videos and a little music,you will experience your thoughts beingcontrolled and discover a new way to feel. Ifyou think that your thoughts are all in yourbrain, it’s time to get out of your head withpsychologist and historian Peter Lamont.

SPACE

ROSETTA: TO CATCH A COMET


In 2014, Rosetta finally reached itsdestination after a ten-year, 6 billion kmjourney, becoming the first spacecraft inhistory to orbit a comet and land a probe onits surface. Join astrobiologist LewisDartnell, Rosetta project scientist MattTaylor and planetary and space scientistMonica Grady to find out what happenedwhen Philae touched down, the latestdiscoveries from Rosetta and what excitingbreakthroughs are yet to come.

S058

S059

TECHNOLOGY

GRAPHENE: MATERIAL OFTHE MODERN AGE?


In 2010 graphene was hailed as the mostuseful material ever created, winning aNobel Prize and making headlines aroundthe world. Five years on, is anyone actuallyusing it? Learn about the amazing propertiesof graphene with materials scientistAravind Vijayaraghavan and the NationalGraphene Institute’s business directorJames Baker as they explore real-world usesfor graphene, and look at what is happeningin the commercial sector right now.

HEALTH

STRESS AND THEWORKPLACE


Does stress have to be bad, or do we all needa little? Purportedly costing the UK economybillions every year, stress seems to be a factof life. But what is going on when we getstressed? Endocrinologist Jonathan Seckldiscusses the good and bad sides of stressas Workwell’s Louise Aston looks at itseconomic cost and ways to improveemployee well-being.

CURRENT AFFAIRS


BBC SCIENCE ZONE*6-7PM, FREE



S060

S061

S062

WORKSHOP

VIRTUAL REALITY: MAKE YOUR OWN


6-7PM

7.30-8.30PM

£12

With Facebook’s $2bn acquisition ofinnovative VR company Oculus Rift, virtualreality might be mainstream sooner thanwe think. Google has a much cheaperoption — Google Cardboard, a partlyhomemade kit that turns your smartphoneinto a budget VR headset. Join JohnTredinnick to find out about the comingvirtual reality revolution and make yourown headset to take away. VR headsetcompatible with a range of smartphones,see cheltenhamfestivals.com for details.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

BIG DATA OR BIGBROTHER?


Data is big business. By linking informationfrom mobile phones, credit cards and socialmedia, companies can understandcustomers like never before, cities canbecome smarter and health risks can beidentified before they spread. But are youconcerned about how your information willbe used? Do we care that we have lost ouranonymity? Statistician Mark Girolami,software engineer Martyn Thomas andlawyer Marion Oswald discuss the issues.

S063

S064

S065

THURSDAY 4 JUNE 24/25

SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code

View of comet 67P from Rosetta


THE SUMMERFIELD EVENT

HUMANITY: AGEOLOGICALSUPERPOWER

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE6.30-7.30PM, £8

Humans are now a major geological power,capable of altering the land, oceans,atmosphere and biology of the planet.Climatologist Mark Maslin welcomes you tothe new geological era, the 'Anthropocene',and the huge controversy about when itbegan and why it matters today.

IDEAS CAFÉ

WHAT IF… DATA SCIENCECAN SOLVE OUR FUTURE?


Data science and big data have beenpresented as the future ‘problem solver’ forall things, from breast cancer to bettertraffic, and from smart cities to bettergovernance. But what can data science dofor you? Join Mark Girolami and otherleading researchers from the University ofWarwick to discuss this question over aglass of wine and some nibbles.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

SCI-FI AND THE FUTURE


From the classics of Jules Verne and H. G.Wells to modern day shows like Firefly,Battlestar Galactica and Doctor Who, sci-fican’t help but be a social commentary ofthe life and times in which it’s written.Author Stephen Baxter, literary historianFarah Mendlesohn and computer scientistSeth Bullock explore the effect of cultureon sci-fi (and vice versa), and what today’sscience fiction says about us.

S066

S068

S067

SPACE

SPACE: IS IT WORTH THEMONEY?


Space is an expensive business; the recentRosetta mission is said to have cost €1.4bn.Although space research is often seen asglamorous and exciting, should researchhere on earth take priority? Asking whetherwe can justify the cost are Monica Grady,who organised a Kickstarter campaign tofund a mission to the moon, Director of RALSpace Richard Holdaway and formerEuropean Commission Chief ScientificAdviser Anne Glover.

ENTERTAINMENT

FAMELABINTERNATIONAL FINAL


Watch as the world’s best and brightestbattle for the title of FameLab InternationalWinner in the 10thanniversary of thisenthralling science competition! NobelLaureates James Watson and Peter Higgscalled it the most fun they’ve had in years,and now you too can see our FameLabFinalists use all their charm, charisma andknowledge to deliver three minutes ofscience in style.

S070

S069

LIFE

HOW DID LIFE BEGIN?

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE8.30-9.30PM, £9

How did life begin? Did the molecules of lifeform in outer space or the bottom of thesea? Adam Rutherford joins biochemistNick Lane, chemist Matt Powner andastrobiologist Zita Martins as they look atthe latest research into the biggestunanswered question in biology: where didlife come from?

FOOD & DRINK

THE PSYCHOLOGY OFTASTE


Experimental psychologist Charles Spenceand molecular gastronomist Jozef Yousseftake you on a journey through the senses,showing how taste is not just about yourtongue; it’s complex and involves sight,hearing and touch as well. With shockingand scintillating flavours, prepare to haveyour taste buds tripped up as theydemonstrate that everything we see, hearand smell influence what we taste.

Event includes tasters

S071

S072

THURSDAY 4 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



SUGAR: THE SWEET TRUTH1.30-2.30PM, S074

Like many people, we have a sweettooth here at the Science Festival,but sugar is now at the centre ofthe latest dietary storm. With cubitsof conflicting information in themedia, how can we be sure what istrue? We’ve asked GrahamMacGregor from the Action onSugar campaign, dieticianCatherine Collins and psychologistDavid Benton to help us unpick theheadlines.

GREAT SCOTT! BACK TO THEFUTURE AT 306.30-7.30PM, S090

‘You made a time machine out of aDELOREAN?!’

In 1985, Marty McFly hopped in aDeLorean and travelled to 2015.Sadly we don’t have flying cars, butthe future we do have is still prettyamazing. This is an unapologeticallygeeky celebration of all things Backto the Future where dressing up isencouraged, but not required.Roads? Where we’re going we don’tneed roads…

DINOSAURS: WHAT DID THEYREALLY LOOK LIKE?4.15-5.15PM, S083

We used to think T. rex stoodcompletely upright, dragging itstail on the ground, and featherswere just for birds: but scientificdiscoveries have dramaticallychanged our image of dinosaurs.In order to appreciate where weare now, we also need to lookbackward, so we’ve broughttogether a palaeontologist, apalaeoartist and a sciencehistorian to discuss how we reallyknow what dinosaurs looked like.

MARTIN REES: MARS TO THE MULTIVERSE8.30-9.30PM, S097

With his big-thinking, awe-inspiring journeys through theuniverse and into the future,Martin Rees is always a Festivalfavourite. This time he’s takingus from Mars to the multiverse,showing how recent advances inastronomy and cosmologyexpand our knowledge of thesolar system and hint at theexistence of many universesbeyond the one we know.

DON’TMISS

FRIDAY 5 JUNE 26/27

DINOSAURS

THE UNIVERSE

BACK TO THE FUTURE

LIFE


HEALTH

ALICE ROBERTS: MRI ANATOMY


Anatomist Alice Roberts seems like such alovely person, but consultant radiologistIain Lyburn has seen right through her.Literally. He put her into an MRI andscanned her from inside out! Join them fora revealing discussion in this high-techanatomy lesson with a difference, andremember: it’s what’s on the inside thatcounts.

HEALTH

SUGAR: THE SWEETTRUTH


Sugar is the latest dietary demon, but is itreally as bad as the headlines suggest? Howmuch is too much? How can we know howmuch we are consuming anyway?Separating fact from fiction and debatingwhat should be done about it are NHSdietician Catherine Collins, psychologistDavid Benton and Graham MacGregor,from Action on Sugar.

S073

S074

DINOSAURS

DINOSAUR HUNTERS


Dinosaurs might have gone extinct millionsof years ago, but they left traces of theirtime here across the planet. Meet thedinosaur hunters who scour the earth forfossils: Phil Manning and his massivemummified monster; palaeontologistVictoria Egerton and her work on the 60-tonne behemoth Dreadnoughtus; andAmerican palaeontologist and fossilcollector Pete Larson and hisTyrannosaurus rexes.

TECHNOLOGY

QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY


As technology allows us to work at colderand colder temperatures, and smaller andsmaller sizes, quantum effects becomecommonplace. But are these curiousanomalies a help or hindrance? Quantumphysicists Jeremy O’Brien, Sonja Franke-Arnold and Kai Bongs discuss how theadvances in the quantum field couldfundamentally change the tech landscape— and what still keeps this from becomingreality.

PSYCHOLOGY

GOSSIP: WHY YOU LOVE IT


Psst! Have you heard that psychologistsRobin Dunbar and Jennifer Cole and DailyMirror deputy 3am editor Hannah Hope aretalking about gossip? Love it or loathe it,you’re hard-wired for gossip and are morelikely to behave if you think you’ll be thesubject of some. But in today’s digital world,the new way we gossip could be changingus. This is one conversation you won’t wantto miss.

S075

S076

S077

HEALTH

SITTING: THE LAZYKILLER


It seems an everyday occurrence that wehear of something that is 'the new cancer'.But sitting? Apparently Brits spend awhopping 19 hours a day sitting or lyingaround, a sedentary lifestyle that makesexercise seem rather pointless: so what isthat doing to our health? Doctor MichaelMosley is joined by scientist John Buckleyto stand up and shout about sitting down.

WORKSHOP

ARDUINO PROGRAMMING

GE PAVILION3.45-4.15PM

5.45-6.15PM

6.45-7.15PM

7.45-8.15PM

FREE

If you think that Java is just an island,Python a snake and C++ a grade thenperhaps the software engineers at GE canhelp. Whether you have a basicunderstanding in programming or don’tknow where to start, try a GE workshop for atutorial in programming an Arduino tocontrol lights and motors.

DINOSAURS

DINOSAURS: WHAT DIDTHEY REALLY LOOK LIKE?


In 1825, everything scientists knew aboutIguanodons was based on a single bone,which they took for a nose. It turned out tobe a claw! Almost 170 years later JurassicPark still couldn’t get it right —Velociraptors should be turkey-sized, notsix-foot man-eaters. Join Alice Roberts,paleoartist Bob Nicholls, palaeontologistMike Benton and historian Joe Cain as theyask: how do we really know what dinosaurslooked like?

S078

S079

S080

S081

S082

S083

FRIDAY 5 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



SPACE

SEARCHING FOR ALIENINTELLIGENCE


For more than 50 years, giant telescopeslike those at Jodrell Bank Observatory havesearched the skies for evidence of aliencivilisations. Join Jodrell Bank’s TimO’Brien as he describes recent progress inthe Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence(SETI), including live data links to gianttelescopes, and considers what the futuremay hold in our attempts to make contactwith our cosmic neighbours.

TECHNOLOGY

CAN WE BUILD AQUANTUM COMPUTER?


What would happen if the strange quantumbehaviour of atoms could be harnessed intoa computer? A machine using atoms tostore information could, in theory, solveproblems that would take a modern PC theage of the universe to complete — but can itbe done? Quantum physicists Gavin Morley,Winfried Hensinger and Elham Kashefidiscuss how the theory of quantumcomputing will ever become reality.

DINOSAURS

MASS EXTINCTIONS


The dinosaurs died in the most famousmass extinction of all time, but that wasn’tthe first (or worst!) time that life on earthcame to a crashing halt. What causes massextinctions and how does life bounce back?Join geologist David Bond and dinosaurresearcher Paul Barrett to hear about themeteor that crashed into earth millions ofyears ago, massive volcanoes and how lifealways finds a way.

S084

S085

S086

PSYCHOLOGY

WHY TAKE THE RISK?

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE6-7PM, £8

Could you take risks with multi-millionpound deals, or with life and deathdecisions? Neuroscientist Vince Walsh andbehavioural scientist Nick Chater explorerisk-riddled professions, from thepsychology of convincing yourself to facedanger, to crucial decision-making underpressure. Joining them are professionalrisk-takers.

ENTERTAINMENT

CLOSE-UP SCIENCE


6.15-7.15PM

7.45-8.45PM £10

In this cabaret-style show, BBC presenterGreg Foot and science showman Nic Harriganbring intriguing challenges direct to yourtable with some unique close-up science.From a cloud chamber in a pint glass andtaste-bud-trickery to brain-warpingillusions and an engineering face-off!

BACK TO THE FUTURE

GREAT SCOTT! BACK TOTHE FUTURE AT 30


The 2015 of Back to the Future II was a worldof flying cars, portable fusion reactors andself-drying clothes — but also augmentedreality, hands-free gaming and videoconferencing. Superfans Adam Rutherford,Gia Milinovich and Stewart Boogertaccelerate to 88mph and ask: withhoverboards and self-tying shoelacesmaking an appearance this year, why dosome things get invented and not others?And will we really not need roads any more?Dressing up encouraged!

S087

S088

S089

S090

NATURE

OTTERS


Sunbathing, playing and catching fishsounds like an easy life, but there’s morethan meets the eye to these treasuredinhabitants of Britain’s waterways. The1950s and 60s almost spelled the end forotters in the UK, but recent years have seenthem swimming back into Britain. Otterexpert Dan Forman shows what makesthese river creatures so fascinating.

CURRENT AFFAIRS


HELIX THEATRE6.30-7.30PM, FREE


IDEAS CAFÉ

WHAT IF... THE FUTUREWERE AS CLEAR ASCRYSTALLOGRAPHY?


100 years ago, father and son team Williamand Lawrence Bragg won a Nobel Prize forcreating an equation that cleared up themysteries of crystals. Their work hasallowed us to peer into crystal structuresusing X-ray diffraction, from rock salt toDNA, from diamond to vitamin B. Over aglass of wine and some nibbles, discusswhat the next century will hold for thisfascinating science.

S091

S092

S093

FRIDAY 5 JUNE 28/29

SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code


ENTERTAINMENT

ILLUSIONS TO BEND YOUR MIND

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE8-9PM£9

Illusions are fascinating: they trick ourbrains and show us the limitations of ourperception. We’re all familiar with theoptical ones, but there are illusions thatwork on other senses: affecting your taste,causing your nose to ‘grow’ or your arm todisappear! Let psychologists CharlesSpence and Roger Newport take you on asensation swapping, brain bending trip. Thisisn’t magic, this is science!

FOOD & DRINK

WHISKY

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM8-9.30PM, £25

Single malts come in a vast range ofcolours, tastes and aromas. From dark andsmoky to honeyed and floral, golden yellowto dark amber. But what gives each whiskyits unique characteristics: the barrel it’smatured in; the distillation process; ormaybe it’s in the water? Aged to perfection,Noel Jackson blends science with whiskyfor an evening exploring some favouritedrams. Slàinte!

Includes whisky samples and nibblesOver 18s only

S095

S094

ENTERTAINMENT

LATE NIGHT IN THEDISCOVER ZONE

TOWN HALL, DISCOVER ZONE8-10PM, FREE

Ever wanted to explore our Discover Zonewithout any kids around? Well, now’s yourchance! A kid-free opportunity to gethands-on with an array of interactiveactivities. Explore Doc Brown’s InventionLab, navigate a remote controlled carthrough an overhead maze, power a rocketand have a go at coding and cryptography,beer in hand.

Over 18s onlyThe bar will be open during this event

THE UNIVERSE

MARTIN REES: MARS TOTHE MULTIVERSE


What does the long-range future hold? Isthere just one universe, or is ours one ofmany? Past President of the Royal SocietyMartin Rees goes from Mars to the multiverse,with astonishing recent developments inastronomy and cosmology: from unmannedspacecraft exploring our own solar system,to telescopes that reach as far as the BigBang — and perhaps gives hints of other big bangs!

S096

S097

BACK TO THE FUTURE

SUPERCONDUCTORS ANDTHE LHC


What do MRI scanners, maglev trains andquantum computers all have in common?The answer: superconductors. But what arethey? What causes their strangeproperties? And why are they so integral tothe working of the world’s largestexperiment, the Large Hadron Collider?Stewart Boogert and Stephen Gibsonexplore these questions and more, withdemonstrations including their very ownlevitating DeLorean.

ENTERTAINMENT

SCIENCE FESTIVALVARIETY NIGHT

EDF ENERGY ARENA8.30-10PM, £15

Guest Director Steve Backshall and asensational selection of our Festivalspeakers flux their capacitors and join g-forces to bring you an evening ofinspiration, laughs, surprises andspectacular science. Music, comedy, words,ideas and plenty more... Hosted by the manwho puts the angle in newfangled, stand-upmathematician Matt Parker.

Over 18s only

Guests to be announced atcheltenhamfestivals.com

SPACE

STARGAZING

THE TIMES SCIENCE HUB9.45-11PM, FREE

Join the Cotswold Astronomical Society foran evening of stargazing, with a chance toobserve the heavens yourself and thepossibility of seeing the rings of Saturn.

This event is weather dependent

S100

S099

S098

FRIDAY 5 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



TAXIDERMY: ALIVE AND KICKING 2-3.15PM, S106

Is taxidermy trendy? Apparently it’s allthe rage, with do-it-yourself kits and how-to classes popping up all over London andother major cities, so we thought we’d seewhat it was all about, from the inside out,and bring taxidermist Kim Wagner to theFestival. She really knows her stuff.

FRACTALS: INFINITELYBEAUTIFUL2.15-3.15PM, S107

Katie Steckles’ star is risingexponentially and we are delightedto welcome her back to the Festivalthis year. Katie’s talk on fractals isbeautifully illustrated and hermathematical passion is onlyequalled by her knowledge and herclever demonstrations. Also catchKatie defending her Over-Ambitious Demo Challenge title at8.45pm S123; and in herMathematical Origami workshopson Weds 3 June, 6.45pm S039 and8.15pm S040.

JEREMY FARRAR ON TACKLINGPANDEMICS4.30-5.30PM, S113

Over his career, Jeremy Farrar hasbeen involved with vital research oninfectious diseases — from malariato dengue fever to tetanus — andhas been a front-line workerdealing with epidemics overseas.These experiences give Jeremy afirst-hand perspective on how todeal with diseases and we hope youjoin us to hear his ideas on how weshould be tackling these impendingcrises in today’s global village.

GRAVITY WAVES OR DUST IN THE WIND?8.15PM-9.15PM, S122

One thing we love about science is how it pushesthe boundaries of our understanding. Last year,cosmologists thought they had found ripples inspacetime from the birth of the universe. Monthslater, the results crumbled to dust (actual dust).How could cosmologists get it wrong? Does thisdamage the public’s trust in science? Find out in afrank discussion about the pitfalls and perils ofgroundbreaking science.

DON’TMISS

SATURDAY 6 JUNE 30/31

DINOSAURS

THE UNIVERSE

BACK TO THE FUTURE

LIFE


CURRENT AFFAIRS

WHO OWNS YOURMEDICAL DATA?

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM10-11AM, £7

It’s all about you — but does it belong toyou? Your medical data potentially containsvery sensitive information, incrediblyuseful for diagnosis and innovation: but theimplications of who has access to this mostpersonal type of data are vastly complex.Public health scientist Susan Wallace andneuroscientist Paul Matthews discuss theethical and social issues around sharing ourindividual health and biology.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

CAN WE PREDICTPANDEMICS?

HELIX THEATRE10.15-11.15AM, £8

In today’s globally connected world,infectious diseases spread more easily thanever. With the effect of antibiotic use in Asiafelt in UK hospitals and Australian flustrains arriving here for winter, how can weuse tools like vaccines to limit the spread ofdisease? Join infectious disease modellersErin Lafferty, Gwen Knight and Albert vanHoek to explore how we can predict andtrace the spread of diseases today.

S101

S102

PHYSICS

BRIAN COX: IN CONVERSATION

EDF ENERGY ARENA12NOON-1PM, £15

Particle physicist, retired rock star andpresenter of the BBC’s Wonders of the SolarSystem, Brian Cox is the Royal Society’snewly appointed Professor for PublicEngagement in Science at ManchesterUniversity. Join Brian as he talks with AdamRutherford about particle physics, theimportance of getting people engaged withscience and why the UK needs to aspire tobe the best place for science in the world.

NATURE

WHALES AND DOLPHINS:THEIR SOCIAL LIVES

WINTON CRUCIBLE12NOON-1PM, £8

Despite their underwater habitat, in someways whales and dolphins are so much likeus. They socialise; they chat; they play. Spyin the Pod producer Rob Pilley and biologistand co-author of The Cultural Lives ofWhales and Dolphins Luke Rendell join TheOne Show’s Miranda Krestovnikoff toexplore the social lives of our favourite seacreatures.

Co-programmed with WhaleFest

S103

S104

FOOD & DRINK

BREAD: RISING TO THECHALLENGE


Chemist Andrea Sella, materials scientistMark Miodownik and a baker rise to thechallenge and knead a perfect combinationof science, engineering and bakery. Withlive doughy demos they’ll separate yoursoda from your sourdough, your bagel fromyour baguette and your multi-grain fromyour gluten-free. This event will certainlysmell good if nothing else!

LIFE

TAXIDERMY: ALIVE ANDKICKING

WINTON CRUCIBLE2-3.15PM, £10

Taxidermy is both an art and a science. Itspopularity might have waned since itsVictorian heyday, but it is still alive andkicking and making a big comeback inmodern Britain. Taxidermist Kim Wagnertakes you through the process step-by-steplive on stage, whilst talking you through theprocedure from sourcing to statue as shesays ‘get stuffed’ to a bird.

S105

S106

SATURDAY 6 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



MATHS

FRACTALS: INFINITELYBEAUTIFUL


Believe it or not, coastlines, mountainranges and plants are examples of fractals:never-ending perfect copies inside copiesinside copies... and so on for infinity. Theseintricate mathematical patterns come inmany varieties, and aren’t just beautiful butuseful too. Mathematician Katie Steckleswowed us to become last year’s OverAmbitious Demo Challenge winner: now lether amaze you with the magnificence offractal maths.

LIFE

THE TREE OF LIFE

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE2.15-3.15PM,£9

Over the last 4 billion years, the diversity oflife on earth has exploded, giving rise toorganisms of all shape and sizes. Butdespite this diversity, more species havegone extinct than are seen on our planettoday. Alice Roberts, mammalian expertAnjali Goswami and plant expert JeremyPritchard explore how life on earth hasthrived and look at the tree of life.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

A WORLD WITHOUTANTIBIOTICS


In a world without antibiotics, simplesurgical procedures would become toorisky; minor accidents could result in life-threatening infections; and some diseasescould become untreatable. The overuse ofantibiotics and rise of resistant bacteriamean that this future may not be as far-fetched as it sounds. Tackling the issues,Vivienne Parry talks to Director of theWellcome Trust Jeremy Farrar and CliodnaMcNulty from Public Health England.

S107

S108

S109

WORKSHOP

PROGRAMMING WITHLEGO MINDSTORMROBOTS

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE DANCESTUDIO, CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE4-5PM,£8

No matter how smart robots are, they stillneed someone to tell them what to do. In ahands-on workshop using the basics ofprogramming and the technology of a LEGOMindstorm set, expert programmer DaveCohen will open up the world of roboticcontrol and robot behaviours to you. Noprevious experience required.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

STUFF MATTERS


Everything is made of something — fromeveryday objects in our homes to materialsthat will shape our future. From the tea cupto the jet engine and the silicon chip to thepaperclip, materials scientist MarkMiodownik demonstrates the innerworkings of the man-made world: themiracles of craft, design, engineering andingenuity that surround us every day. Beamazed at mankind’s creativity and find outwhy stuff really matters!

S110

S111

HEALTH

THE EFFECTS OFRECREATIONAL DRUGS


What are the real facts about recreationaldrug use? Media headlines are full ofconflicting reports about use, abuse andthe effects of illicit substances. When youtake an illegal drug, what actually happensto your brain and body? Doctor Chris vanTulleken, psychologist Andy Parrott andpolicy expert Niamh Eastwood uncoversome truths about drugs, their physical,social and mental impact.

CURRENT AFFAIRS

JEREMY FARRAR ONTACKLING PANDEMICS


In this exclusive interview, Director of theWellcome Trust Jeremy Farrar joins AliceRoberts for a frank discussion about thebiggest global health risk today: infectiousdisease. The recent Ebola epidemic hasreminded us that perhaps we are not asprepared for a disease outbreak as weshould be. Are we really ready to tackle apandemic?

S112

S113


SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code


LIFE

STEVE BACKSHALL: EXTREME EXPLORERS


Sir Edmund Hillary once said, ‘It is not themountain we conquer, but ourselves’. GuestDirector and adventurer Steve Backshall isjoined by alpine climbing legend Kenton Coolto discuss the extremes that some peoplego to, and what drives them to risk life andlimb to explore this planet.

TECHNOLOGY

EX MACHINA: INSIDEARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE


Alex Garland’s 2015 film Ex Machinaexplored the ethics and dangers of artificialintelligence. The science advisors to thefilm Adam Rutherford, Gia Milinovich andMurray Shanahan discuss the movie andthe moral implications of AI: how can weprove consciousness? What would therights of a machine be? And how likely is itthat any robots will actually look likebeautiful women?

S114

S115

HISTORY

THE IMPRESSIONISTS: ACOLOURFUL LEGACY


Renowned for their use of colour, theImpressionists of the 19th century wereinextricably linked to the technology of thetime: with the creation of new vividpigments and developments in paintstorage. Sarah Butterfield paints a pictureof the science in art, delving into thebeloved Impressionists and the scientificbreakthroughs that left such a colourfullegacy.

TECHNOLOGY

BITCOIN: THE FUTURE OFMONEY?

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE, CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE6.15-7.15PM,£9

Meet Bitcoin, the currency of the internet:open-source, peer-to-peer money, with nogovernment, bank or company in charge.The cryptocurrency has gathered a fairshare of negative press — but is itdeserved? If multinational corporationsstart dealing in this new form of currency,what will be the impact on our economy?Comedian and MoneyWeek columnistDominic Frisby tells the story of Bitcoin andwhy it could change the world.

S116

S117

HEALTH

HEALTH, LIES ANDVIDEOTAPE

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM7-8.30PM, £10

The public health films of the mid-20thcentury were doom-laden but oftenhilarious — from diphtheria and anti-smoking to fat children and bad hygiene.Timandra Harkness, Anne Johnson andothers show archive clips from the past andpresent, sorting the fact from the fictionand the daft from the downright dangerous.

The bar will be open during this event

In association with the Academy of MedicalSciences

IDEAS CAFÉ

WHAT IF... ROBOTS AREOUR FUTURE?


In 2014, Stephen Hawking said ‘thedevelopment of full artificial intelligencecould spell the end of the human race’.Could developments in AI and roboticsreally create the prospect of humanextinction? Join leading researchers fromthe University of Warwick to discuss thisquestion while enjoying wine and nibbles.

HEALTH

HEALTH HEADLINES:CHRIS AND XAND VAN TULLEKEN

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE, CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE8.15-9.15PM,£9

How do you dig through the daily deluge ofhealth information? From the latest diet craze,exercise advice and drug scaremongering:no wonder we’re confused! Havingthemselves been contributors to thisconfusion, doctors Chris and Xand vanTulleken now want to empower you — tochallenge your doctors, to win argumentsat the water cooler and to make sense ofthe mess the media make of medical advice.

S118

S119

S120




ENTERTAINMENT

MATT PARKER: NOW IN 4D


Award winning maths comedian and Rubik’sCube world record holder Matt Parkerreturns to the Festival, and this time in 4D!Take a journey to the fourth dimension andback as he once more forms a maths +comedy venn diagram with lively stand-upand mind-boggling maths.

Warning: Contains Graphical Content (actualgraphs), adult themes and live calculations

THE UNIVERSE

GRAVITY WAVES OR DUSTIN THE WIND?


In 2014, cosmologists were thrilled to reportripples emanating from the beginning oftime. But in a widely-publicised debaclethese were proved false, the results mostlikely due to dust in the Milky Way. AndrewPontzen joins experts Andrew Jaffe andGeorge Efstathiou as they explain whatwent wrong, the effect this had oncosmology and what happens next as wecontinue searching for the moments afterthe Big Bang.

S121

S122

ENTERTAINMENT

OVER-AMBITIOUS DEMOCHALLENGE 2015

WINTON CRUCIBLE8.45-10PM, £10

Steve Mould and Andrea Sella host theinfamous Science Festival Demo Challenge,our annual contest for the mostspectacular, impressive and show-stoppingdemonstration that our invited scientistscan conceive. Expect madness and mayhemas this year’s contestants Marty Jopson,Greg Foot and 2014 defending championKatie Steckles try to outdo each other —who gets your vote?

SPACE

STARGAZING

THE TIMES SCIENCE HUB9.45-11PM, FREE

Join the Cotswold Astronomical Society foran evening of stargazing, with a chance toobserve the heavens yourself and thepossibility of seeing the rings of Saturn.

This event is weather dependent

S124

S123FAMILY

FARTOLOGY

EDF ENERGY ARENA10-11AM,£6 IDEAL FOR AGES 8+

The unspeakable science of your ownportable chemistry lab. Leave your hang-ups at the door and brace yourself (andyour nose!) for the amazing, stinky,explosive world of digestion. Andrea Sella,Stefan Gates and Zoe Laughlin explainbacterial bum biochemistry by brewingfarts live on stage, firing parping cannonsat the audience and setting light to somevery potent gases.

FAMILY

SPECTACULAR SEADRAGONS

WINTON CRUCIBLE10-11AM,£6 IDEAL FOR AGES 7+

When dinosaurs ruled the land, what ruledthe waves? Huge reptiles called plesiosaursowned the sea, and sat at the very top oftheir food chain. Evolutionary biologist BenGarrod takes you back over 200 millionyears to hear about the lives of these real-life sea dragons, and you can even touchthe giant fossilized skull of one!

SF01

SF02


SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code

FAMIL

EVEN


FAMILY WORKSHOP

PROGRAMMING WITH LEGOMINDSTORM ROBOTS

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE DANCESTUDIO, CHELTENHAM LADIES’COLLEGE

10-11AM

11.30AM-12.30PM

1-2PM

2.30-3.30PM

£8 IDEAL FOR AGES 11+

Robots can be used for so many incredibletasks — from search and rescue here on earth,to exploring distant environments out inspace — but how do they know what to do?Find out with robot programmer Dave Cohenby programming a LEGO Mindstorm robotyourself. Get hands-on and teach your robothow to search and what to listen out for.

SF03

SF04

SF05

SF06

FAMILY

UGLY ANIMALPRESERVATION SOCIETY

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE, CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE10.15-11.15AM,£6 IDEAL FOR AGES 7+

Why is it that only the cute and fluffyendangered animals get all the press? Uglyendangered animals need attention too!Join President of the Ugly AnimalPreservation Society Simon Watt to explorethe brilliant biology and amazingadaptations of the animal kingdom’s mostmonstrous beasts. How did they evolve tobe so ugly? What would be the impact if welost them for good?

FAMILY

VIRUSES: SNEEZES ANDGORE

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE, CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE12.15-1.15PM, £6 IDEAL FOR AGES 8+

Colds and viruses lurk inside you, waitingfor you to sneeze on people — gross! Chrisvan Tulleken and Greg Towers spread theirlove of vicious viruses and show youscience that’s so new, even yoursmartypants parents won’t know it. Xandvan Tulleken joins the fun too with rib-tickling, eye-opening (and rather gory)experiments using real body parts!

Warning: this event will contain some bloodand guts

SF07

SF08

FAMILY

THIS SHOW IS TOTALLYRANDOM

HELIX THEATRE12.15-1.15PM,£6 IDEAL FOR AGES 10+

Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to predictthe weather? Or the lottery numbers? In apredictably unpredictable show, ourprevious FameLab contestants use all theirskills and messy demos, including clouds ofconfetti and tons of table-tennis balls, toshow how totally random the world is!

FAMILY

STEVE BACKSHALL: THE DEADLIEST ANIMALSON EARTH

EDF ENERGY ARENA2-3PM,£8 IDEAL FOR AGES 6+

From spooky spiders to scary snakes, theworld’s wildest places have some of thedeadliest creatures — and our GuestDirector Steve Backshall has met them all(well, most of them). But should we really befrightened of them? Which are the mostdangerous to us? Join Steve as heinvestigates the deadliest animals on earth.

SF10

SF09



ILY NTS


IDENTIFYING RICHARD III11.45AM-1PM, S127

Since he was dug up in a Leicester car parktwo years ago, Richard III has beensplashed across headlines and mired incontroversy. And of course we want tolook at the facts with the excavationproject’s very own Turi King. But noteveryone has been swayed by what’s beenfound, so we have asked Mark Thomasand Richard Wicks to battle out why.

ROBERT WINSTON: THREE-PARENT BABIES4-5PM, S133

Science and ethics are fundamentally,and necessarily, linked: every stepforward that science takes and everynew procedure developed needsethical support. Tackling big ethicalquestions is something we do eachyear and we couldn’t think of anyonebetter to talk about three-parentbabies than Robert Winston. He hasbeen a Festival favourite since thebeginning — and hopefully for manymore years to come.

FEMINISM, SEXISM ANDBRINGING UP GIRLS3-4PM, S132

“We cannot all succeed when half ofus are held back.” — Malala Yousafzai

Women are poorly represented inscience, like they are in so many othersectors of society, so we are tacklingthis issue head-on with four fantasticspeakers — Tanya Byron, Tanith Carey,Caroline Criado-Perez and GabrielWeston — to discuss feminism, sexismand the challenges of raising strongyoung women in today’s world.

WILKO JOHNSON: CANCER-FREE4.30-5.30PM, S136

Dr Feelgood guitarist WilkoJohnson’s story of terminalcancer diagnosis, re-diagnosisand pioneering treatment thatleft him cancer-free is asextraordinary as it is hopeful. Notonly a story of medical triumph —led by his surgeon EmmanuelHuguet — but it is a personal,emotional journey from imminentdeath to a life to be lived. We arethrilled that they are both here totell Libby Purves the tale.

DON’TMISS

SUNDAY 7 JUNE 36/37

DINOSAURS

THE UNIVERSE

BACK TO THE FUTURE

LIFE


UNIVERSE

WATER: THE ELEMENT OF LIFE

HELIX THEATRE10-11AM, £8

Water may seem ordinary — it pours fromour taps and falls from the sky — but youwould be surprised at what a profoundlystrange substance it is. Without its rebelbehaviour, though, none of us would exist.Alok Jha will change the way you look atwater — it has shaped life on earth, andconnects you and everyone else to the birth(and death) of the universe.

PSYCHOLOGY

INSIDE THE MIND OF ATEENAGER

TOWN HALL, PILLAR ROOM10.30-11.30AM, £8

Are you baffled by teenagers? Do youwonder at their recklessness, theirdecisions, and their inability to get up in themorning? Before you write them all off,neuroscientist Sarah-Jayne Blakemoreuncovers the teenage brain: showing thedifferences that can explain some of theirbehaviour, and exploring how full ofcreativity and passion this formative periodcan be.

S125

S126

HISTORY

IDENTIFYING RICHARD IIIPARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE11.45AM-1PM£8

In 2013, it was announced that the battle-scarred skeleton found in a carpark inLeicester was indeed that of King RichardIII. But how certain are we that it was reallyhim? Archaeologist and geneticist Turi King,who led the genetic analysis of his remains,takes us through the journey of hisexcavation and identification, whilegeneticist Mark Thomas and historianMichael Hicks discuss the scientific andhistorical evidence.

TECHNOLOGY

PRIVACY VS. PROTECTION


‘Are we going to allow a means ofcommunications where it simply is notpossible [to listen in]? My answer to thatquestion is: no, we must not.’ DavidCameron has made his feelings clear onend-to-end encryption, and so we face adata dilemma: how to keep our informationsafe without shielding criminals from theeyes of the law. Cryptographers KeithMartin and Kenny Paterson discuss thiscryptography quandary.

S127

S128

NATURE

DOGS: THEIR SECRETLIVES


What do a dog’s actions tell us about whatthey are thinking? Channel 4 investigatedsecret doggie lives in order to help usunderstand their behaviour and make themhappier in our homes. With clips from theshow, vet and presenter Mark Evans, dogbehaviourist Emily Blackwell and seriesproducer Kirsty Wilson explain what’s reallygoing on in the mind of man’s best friend.

LIFE

MODERN HUMANBEHAVIOUR: THEBEGINNINGSPARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE2-3PM, £8

Archaeology shows us that over the last100,000 years our ancestors began usingmore sophisticated tools, trading over long-distances, decorating their bodies andcreating art. Often called the origins ofmodern human behaviour, what initiatedthis major leap in behavioural evolution?Evolutionary geneticist Mark Thomas looksinto the origins of what makes us humanand where modern behaviour all began.

S129

S130

SUNDAY 7 JUNEBOX OFFICE 0844 880 8094CHELTENHAMFESTIVALS.COM/SCIENCE



MATHS

THE IMPROBABILITYPRINCIPLE


Why is it that startling coincidences andextraordinarily rare events actually happenall the time? Statistician David Hand revealsThe Improbability Principle, aiming tochange your perspective on how the worldworks. He explores why Apple made theirsong shuffling less random to make it seemmore random and how the truly unusualday would actually be the one wherenothing unusual happened at all!

CURRENT AFFAIRS

FEMINISM, SEXISM ANDBRINGING UP GIRLS


The fight for women’s rights is far fromover, with overt misogyny commonplace intoday’s social media and the glass ceilingstill firmly in place. What pressures doyoung women face? What is thepsychological impact? And how do we raiseyoung women to enter the modern world?Psychologist Tanya Byron, feministcampaigner Caroline Criado-Perez,journalist Tanith Carey and surgeon GabrielWeston discuss feminism, sexism andbringing up girls.

S132

S131

CURRENT AFFAIRS

ROBERT WINSTON:THREE-PARENT BABIES


In February, MPs voted in a law permittingbabies to be created from 3 different people— the first country to do so. The procedureoffers hope to thousands of families in theUK, but critics have questioned thiscontroversial move claiming safetyconcerns and ‘designer babies’ as the nextstep. Fertility expert Robert Winstonexplains the truth behind the headlines.

LIFE

QUANTUM BIOLOGY


The strange theory of quantum mechanics— where tiny particles behave inextraordinary, counter-intuitive ways — isfundamental to chemistry and physics, butcould it also be fundamental to biology too?Physicists Jim Al-Khalili and JohnjoeMcFadden give us an update on what’s newand exciting in the fast moving field ofquantum biology and the role it plays in thenatural world.

S133

S134

LIFE

DOMESTICATION: A 15,000 YEAR HISTORYPARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE4-5PM, £8

During the last ice age, we hunted giantwoolly mammoths and gathered berries:but as the ice departed, so did our way oflife. Evolutionary biologists Ian Barnes andGreger Larson look at how the worldchanged, and us with it — how ourancestors became entangled with domesticanimals, settled new regions and began thejourney to the world we see around us today.

HEALTH

WILKO JOHNSON:CANCER–FREE


‘I’m supposed to be dead now.’ So said Wilko Johnson, after terminal cancer put aclock on his life. Subsequent re-diagnosisand pioneering surgery have now given himthe all-clear: but what does a death sentencedo to a person? And how do you come to termswith life again? Libby Purves interviewsWilko about living with being cancer-free,joined by Emmanuel Huguet — the surgeonwho saved his life.

ENTERTAINMENT

THE CHAOS CABARET


Chaos is all around us. It’s behind stockmarket fluctuations, traffic jams andinaccurate weather forecasting — which mayor may not be related to butterflies flappingaround somewhere. Meet Frank Burnet andcrew: your representatives from the Ministryof Chaos. Hear an original score and toy with aside order of physics in this appropriatelychaotic extravaganza.

S135

S136

S137

SUNDAY 7 JUNE 38/39

SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code


SPACE

A CURIOSITY FOR MARS


Mars is our nearest neighbour, but how dowe get a better look at it? Land a 1 tonne,car-sized, laser-eyed nuclear powered robotlaboratory named Curiosity on its surface,that’s how! Since 2012, the rover has beentasting, vaporising and rolling over themartian landscape. Join Sanjeev Gupta,Peter Grindrod and John Bridges to get thelatest on the red planet from Curiosity.

NATURE

TONY JUNIPER: WHAT NATURE DOES FORBRITAINPARABOLA ARTS CENTRE,CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGE6-7PM,£8

Britain is rich in ‘natural capital’ — woodlands,water supplies, bees and productive soils.Yet our economic ideas don’t take intoaccount the free work nature does for us,with intensive farming, bog drainage andcanal creation robbing us of our economicecosystem. Let former director of Friends ofthe Earth Tony Juniper show us how we cansupport natural Britannia instead of theother way around.

S139

S138

HISTORY

ROBERT GROSSETESTE:THE GREATEST MINDYOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF


Bishop of Lincoln, political advisor, poet,theologian, philosopher, translator andscientist: Robert Grosseteste (c.1170-1253)was an extraordinary thinker. His view ofthe universe was revolutionary — and hisrole in the development of the scientificmethod was key. Historian Giles Gasper,physicist Tom McLeish and psychologistHannah Smithson introduce the medievalpolymath and explore how his wonderfulimagination is still inspiring modern dayscience.

S140

ENTERTAINMENT

JED MERCURIO: CRITICAL


Set in a major trauma centre, Critical hasbeen credited with reviving the medicaldrama, with compelling real-timedepictions of a team of doctors strugglingto save lives that hang in the balance.Acclaimed writer and former hospitaldoctor Jed Mercurio joins Gabriel Westonto discuss how his own medical backgroundand training have informed his creativeprocess and enabled him to take the genreinto exciting new territory.

ENTERTAINMENT

LET’S GET QUIZZICAL:THE SCIENCE PUB QUIZ


Think you know your Rosetta from yourCuriosity, your flux lines from your fluxcapacitors and your Dionysus from yourDeinonychus? Then try your hand at ourPub Quiz! Host Karl Byrne strains yoursynapses with questions on the Big Bang tothe end of the universe; science fact,science fiction and everything in between.*

*May not include EVERYTHING. The universeis pretty big.

Over 18s only

The bar will be open during this event andthere is no need to bring a whole team

S141

S142



Robert Grosseteste (c.1170-1253)


SUNDAY 7 JUNE 40/41

SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code

FAMILY WORKSHOP

THE GREAT COSMICKITCHEN

CHELTENHAM LADIES’ COLLEGEKITCHENS10-11.15AM AGES 7-10

12NOON-1.15PM AGES 7-10

2-3.15PM AGES 11-13£8

What can baking (yes, baking!) teach usabout how the universe was created orwhat dark matter is? Explore the cosmosfrom the kitchen in this hands-on, mouth-watering workshop. From baking planets totravelling back to the Big Bang in amicrowave, cosmologist Roberto Trottashows you the fascinating — and edible —world of astrophysics!

SF11

SF12

SF13

HISTORY

ROBERT WINSTON:MEDICINE ANDRENAISSANCE ART


From Galileo-influenced depictions of themoon and da Vinci’s studies of the humanskull, to the representation of scientificinstruments and people with disabilities,Renaissance art has much to tell us aboutthe medicine and science of the time.Robert Winston examines some classicalworks of art, revealing some of thesurprising hidden (and not so hidden)stories in the paintings.

BACK TO THE FUTURE

MARCUS CHOWN: ABEGINNER'S GUIDE TOTIME TRAVEL


Whether by TARDIS, DeLorean or H.G. Wells’time machine, the ability to travel throughtime has fascinated us all, but will it everbecome reality? Remarkably, time travel isnot ruled out by the laws of physics. So whyaren’t we being visited by tourists from thefuture? Join Marcus Chown on a journey tothe edge of our understanding.

S143

S144

NATURE

PENGUINS, NARWHALSAND OTHER REALLY COOLANIMALS


Covered in snow with chilling temperaturesyear-round, Antarctica and the Arctic seemutterly inhospitable: but many animalsthrive there and in the surrounding icyseas. Zoologists Lucy Cooke and RoryWilson and biologist Simon Watt uncoversix really cool animals — from penguins andseals, to narwhals and moose and polarbears and walruses — that inhabit the polartundras.

S145

FAMIL

EVEN


FAMILY

MARTY JOPSON’SBUBBLEOLOGY

EDF ENERGY ARENA10-11AM£6 IDEAL FOR ALL AGES

The One Show’s Marty Jopson is alwaysblowing bubbles — little ones, big ones,flaming ones, smokey ones and even onesthat explode! Join him in a slippery, soapyworld as he investigates what is reallygoing on inside. Where do the colours comefrom? How long can a bubble last and whydo they pop? Washing up liquid will neverseem the same again!

This show contains loud bangs

SF14

FAMILY

WONDERSTUFF

WINTON CRUCIBLE10.30-11.30AM£6 IDEAL FOR AGES 8+

Join chemist Andrea Sella and materialsengineer Mark Miodownik as they explorethe scientific wonders of the common ‘stuff’we take for granted. From the everyday ofbatteries and glass to the new age ofgraphene and aerogels — with lots ofdemonstrations, watch them take the worldapart and (hopefully) put it back togetheragain.

FAMILY

DINOSAUR WARS!

EDF ENERGY ARENA12NOON-1PM£6 IDEAL FOR ALL AGES

Never mind the natural history — what youreally want to know about dinosaurs is howwell they could fight! Which was thestrongest? Which was the smartest? Whichhad the best defence? Using the very latestfacts from world expert Phil Manning, findout if T. rex was really the king and whichone would win a big dino showdown.

SF15

SF16

FAMILY

THE POWER OF SLOTH

HELIX THEATRE12NOON-1PM£6 IDEAL FOR AGES 7+

Sloths live life in the slow lane, but are farfrom being lazy and stupid: they have awinning strategy in the evolutionary armsrace. The Power of Sloth author and founderof the Sloth Appreciation Society LucyCooke shares the secrets of the sloth’squirky biology and shows we have much tolearn from the sleepy king of the jungle.Warning: will contain serious cuteness.

FAMILY

UP, UP AND AWAY

WINTON CRUCIBLE12.30-1.30PM£6 IDEAL FOR AGES 4+

Kevin is a cheeky tiny spec of dust, but he isunhappy: he thinks he is ugly and no oneloves him. To see just how important hereally is, he and his friend Nic Harrigan taketo the skies — join them to discover thedusty secrets behind rainbows, clouds,snow and beyond.

FAMILY

A TRIP TO MARS

HELIX THEATRE2-3PM£6 IDEAL FOR AGES 12+

It’s the year 2040 and flight EM1701 to Marsis ready to depart! Flight Captain SuzeKundu and First Officer Simon Foster takeyou through the safety briefing: how to dealwith g-forces on take-off, what to do in theevent of a meteor strike — and what toexpect when you reach your Martiandestination... Enjoy your hypersleep!

SF17

SF18

SF19



ILY NTS


facebook.com/FameLabInternational

famelabuk #famelab cheltenhamfestivals.com/famelab

FameLab is basically the World Cup of sciencecommunication. Established in 2005 byCheltenham Science Festival, FameLab is now aglobal competition. The 2015 International Finalswill see wannabe science stars from 27 differentcountries get on their metaphorical soapbox toentertain and educate. Competitors have justthree minutes to win over the audience beforefacing a panel of judges for further interrogation.Talks can be on science, technology, or engineeringand the winner is the participant who deliversthe most interesting and accurate content, withthe utmost clarity and charisma.

These 27 finalists have each survived regional andnational heats to make it to Cheltenham ScienceFestival. Now watch as they battle it out to benamed FameLab International Champion 2015.

Semi-Finals: Wednesday 3 June, Cheltenham Ladies’ CollegeParabola Arts Centre11AM-12.30PM, S0201.30-3PM, S0214-5.30PM, S022

Grand Final: Thursday 4 June, EDF Energy Arena8.30-10.30PM, S070

WHO WILL WIN THE SCIENCE WORLD CUP?

“You laugh a lot, you learn a lot and, whileno two participants ever do it the sameway, they’re all FameLabulous…” Quentin Cooper, FameLab Host


EDUCATION

Thousands of children and young people willget hands-on with the latest technologies, andexperience science at its most excitingthrough the Science for Schools programme.There is so much to see and do, and most willbe making a day of it.

“It is such an amazing experience for thechildren, and a fantastic range of activities. Ithelps to raise the profile of science, and welove the idea of a covered lunch area too. Justa brilliant Festival.” Science Leader, SwindonVillage Primary School.

To find out more visitcheltenhamfestivals.com/scienceforschools

LabLiveLook out for us in a town near you! We tour thebest of the Science Festival every year,entertaining and inspiring Key Stage 3students across the country.

FameLab AcademyWhy is the sky blue? What are tonsils for? Whyare triangles the best shapes? Could you answer these questions in just threeminutes? FameLab Academy, the firstcompetition of its kind, equips Year 9 studentswith the skills and confidence to do just this.

With thanks to our Education Partners: EDF Energy, Cheltenham Ladies' College, GE UK, Institution of MechanicalEngineers, L'Oréal, Royal Holloway, Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, Science Oxford, Siemens, Spirax Sarco Charitable Trust,University of Hull, University of Warwick.

SCIENCE FOR SCHOOLS

42/43


PATRONS 44/45

We would like to thank our Patrons fortheir generous support including thosewho have chosen to remain anonymous:

Life PatronMark and Sue BlanchfieldPeter and Anne BondDominic and Jannene CollierMichael and Felicia CrystalColin and Suzanne DoakThe Eaton FamilyCharles FisherDavid and John HallJeremy and Germaine Hitchins FamilyJonathan and Cassinha Hitchins FamilyStephen and Tania Hitchins FamilyElizabeth and Michael JonesMr and Mrs Richard JonesSteven and Linda JonesHugh and Sue KochRobert and Moira LeechmanHazel and Jeremy LewisGraham and Eileen LockwoodFiona McLeodThe McWilliam family in loving memory ofRuth McWilliamKeith Norton and Piers NortonJohn and Susan SingerSimon Skinner and Jean Gouldsmith SkinnerMark and Elizabeth Philip-SørensenAndrew SmithChris and Bridgette SunmanFiona and David SymondsonLudmila and Hodson ThornberThe Walker Family

Platinum PatronMike and Kerry AlcockJack and Dora BlackJennifer Bryant-PearsonAndrew ChardMichael and Angela CronkNigel and Sally DimmerGeorge and Cynthia DowtyMargaret HeadenSimon and Emma Keswick

The Kilvington FamilySir Peter and Lady MarychurchHayden and Tracy McKinnesDes and ChiChi MillsHoward and Jay MiltonThe Oldham FoundationAdrian and Lizzie PortlockDr Gill Samuels CBEPeter Stormonth Darling Charitable TrustPeter and Alison Yiangou

Gold PatronChristopher BenceStephen and Victoria BondCharlie ChanStuart and Gillian CorbynWallace and Morag DobbinPeter and Sue ElliottMaurice Gran and Carol JamesStephen HodgeLord and Lady HoffmannAnthony Hoffman and Dr Christine FacerHoffmanElizabeth JacobsKeith JagoBrian KeySteven KingSir Michael and Lady McWilliamJanet and Charles MiddletonPaul and Kathy MottersheadThe Helena Oldacre TrustIan and Sarah PassmoreShelley and Paul RobertsSharon and Toby RobertsEsther and Peter SmedvigAndy and Ali StalsbergPhil and Jennifer StapletonMeredithe Stuart-SmithGiles and Michelle ThorleyDiego VargasMichael and Rosie WarnerSteve and Eugenia Winwood

Festival PatronKate AdieSir John and Lady Aird

David and Zany Anton-SmithNicholas and Caroline AugustMargaret AustenPaula and David BaldwinAlison BestermanMichael H BondPaul and Ruth BrakeJonathan and Daphne CarrAlex ChalkMark ChardAndrew and Jan CliftSimon CollingsJim and Ita ConnellMr and Mrs Andrew and Jacqueline CoyleLady CurtisAynsley DameryMichael DeardenDebra Drew and Nigel BrowneSimon FirkinsCarol and Isabella FreemanClive and Stella GardnerDr and Mrs Freddie GickProfessor A C GraylingJeremy and Alison HallidayAlex and Hattie HambroRoger and Jane HanksSam and Sarah HanksTim HartMr and Mrs Riff Heber-PercyMark HeywoodDiane and Mark HillMike and Judie HillMarianne HintonAndrew and Caroline HopeJeff and Keren IliffePip IsherwoodMr and Mrs JNP KirkpatrickRosemary MacDonaldJuliet and Jamie McKelvieProfessor Keith Millar and ProfessorMargaret ReidAidan and Alexa Mills-Thomas Mr and Mrs Philip MonbiotProfessor Angela NewingAisling O’ConnellRobert PadgettIan PalingJohn Parkins and Adrienne Loftus ParkinsSir David and Lady PepperLeslie PerrinHugh Poole-WarrenJonathon PorrittMr Ron Roet & Mrs Monique Roet-MatrayPatricia Routledge CBEJan and Gill RoweKhal and Zoe RudinElizabeth SaundersLavinia SidgwickSharon Studer and Graham BeckettJonathan and Gail TaylorRobert and Julia Van GilsPaul D. VoyceMr and Mrs JLC WardRobert and Carolyn WarrBrian WatsonGeorge and Marian WhittakerProfessor Lord WinstonRichard and Fiona Yorke

Join this exclusive group of supporters and make a realdifference to our artistic programming and education work

• Dedicated ticket line with advance booking• Access to hospitality areas at the Literature and Jazz

Festivals• Invitations to special events and parties throughout the year

From £67 per month, your patronage covers all four Festivals.

To find out more please contact Arlene McGlynn, Patrons Manager on 01242 [email protected] or visitcheltenhamfestivals.com/patrons

SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code


SUPPORT US

cheltenhamfestivals.com/support-us Registered charity no. 251765

could contribute to oureducation work which isthe heartbeat of TheTimes CheltenhamScience Festival, withthousands of young peoplediscovering fascinatingfacts and engaging withscientists.

could give an emergingscientist the opportunityto explore and debateideas at the Festival,helping them to developtheir talent.

can help to providetransport and tickets forschoolchildren who wouldnot otherwise be able totake part in ourinspirational Science forSchools programme.

PLEASE MAKE A DONATION WHEN YOU BOOK

Cheltenham Festivals is a not-for-profit organisation. In addition to Arts Council support, wedepend on donations, sponsorship and gifts in wills to bring the arts and sciences live toaudiences, support emerging talent, and deliver inspirational educational programmes.

If you are passionate about our work then please consider making a donation when bookingyour tickets. Every gift, no matter what size, is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

£10 £25 £50


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Festival DirectorJane Furze

Head of Programming Gina Collins

Festival Manager and ActingHead of ProgrammingAshley Kent

Senior Programme CoordinatorKarl Byrne

Festival CoordinatorLuiza Patorski

Festival AssistantPenelope Hill

Development ManagersSarah RawlingsSarah Stewart

With many thanks to all the staff atCheltenham Festivals, those ateach venue and the Festivalvolunteers, all of whom provideinvaluable support and help makethe Festival a success.

Cheltenham Festivals Board ofTrusteesPeter Bond - ChairDominic Collier - Vice ChairSusan BlanchfieldLewis CarnieOli ChristieProf Russell Foster CBE (Chair ofScience Festival)Edward Gillespie OBEProf Averil MacdonaldBaroness Gail RebuckDr Diane Savory OBEMargaret Austen - CompanySecretary

Festival Advisory GroupProf Jim Al-KhaliliAndrew CohenQuentin CooperDr Kevin FongTimandra HarknessMark HendersonDr Roger HighfieldProf Mark LythgoeProf Mark MaslinProf Mark MiodownikVivienne ParryProf Alice RobertsDr Adam RutherfordDr Gill Samuels OBEProf Andrea SellaElaine SnellProf Kathy Sykes

The Times Cheltenham ScienceFestival is presented byCheltenham Festivals, a companylimited by guarantee.

Registered Office28 Imperial SquareCheltenham GL50 1RH

Company No. 456573Charity No. 251765VAT Registration No. 100114013Main Switchboard No. 01242 511211

ContactIf you have specific commentsabout any aspect of the Festival,please [email protected]

Photography CreditsVisitcheltenhamfestivals.com/photosfor a full photo credit list.

If you require thisbrochure in largeprint format pleasecall 01242 511211.

46/47

SEARCH USING THE AT


Quickfind Code


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Associate Partners

Event and in-kind supporters

Marketing PartnerIn-Kind Partner Media Partners

DON’T MISS THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL NEXT YEAR!More from Cheltenham Festivals in 2015:Cheltenham Jazz Festival 29 April – 4 May 2015Cheltenham Music Festival 30 June – 11 July 2015The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival 2-11 October 2015

7-12 June 2016


MEMBERS’ PRIORITY BOOKING: FROM 1PM, 15 APRIL 2015

PUBLIC BOOKING: FROM 1PM, 22 APRIL 2015

QUICKER AND EASIER BOOKING

Create a Wish List before booking opens – from 28 March.Find out all about Wish Lists atcheltenhamfestivals.com/wishlists

HOW TO BOOK

cheltenhamfestivals.com

0844 880 8094 (5p per minute at all times from BT landlines, mobile charges vary)

Before the Festival:CF Ticketing, 15 Suffolk Parade, Cheltenham, GL50 2AE

During the Festival:Festival Site Box Office, Imperial Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1QA

For full details about Box Office opening hours, in person andtelephone ticket sales, booking fees, terms & conditions andMembership, visit cheltenhamfestivals.com/booking

If you have any special access requirements, such as needing to book awheelchair space, you can book using our online form which will beavailable from 28 March at cheltenhamfestivals.com/booking

GETTING TOTHE TIMES CHELTENHAMSCIENCE FESTIVAL

Cheltenham is easily accessiblefrom all over the UK, by road andrail. Most events take place onthe main Festival site, located incentral Cheltenham at the Town Hall and Imperial Gardens.Most other venues are withinwalking distance.

For more information on publictransport and car parks go tocheltenhamfestivals.com/your-visit

POSTCODES

Cheltenham Town Hall GL50 1QAImperial Gardens GL50 1QACheltenham Ladies’ CollegeParabola Arts Centre GL50 3AACheltenham Ladies’ CollegeKitchens GL50 3EPCheltenham Minster, St Mary’sGL50 3PLCheltenham College GL53 7LD

BOOKING INFORMATION

Charity No. 251765


science 15 final pages final final layout 1...

Documents