Free activities for all ages at BU’s Festival of Learning family day
Free activities for all ages and interests will be on offer during BU’s Festival of Learning family day on Saturday 11 July.
From a performance by the Dementia Orchestra to a Jurassica fossil fun workshop and sports activities like wheelchair basketball – there’s lots for the whole family to enjoy at BU’s Talbot Campus.
This includes free talks by TV personality and naturalist Chris Packham, who will share his tales of life in the wild, and views on conservation and extinction in two talks illustrated by his own photography.
Chris said: “I’m really excited to be part of BU’s Festival of Learning. It’s a great chance to share the importance of research to society in a fun and engaging way.
“I’m looking forward to hosting two events as part of the Festival and giving children and adults alike an insight into the world of ecology, conservation and the environment.”
Chris’ first talk is aimed at family audiences and children aged six and over. The illustrated talk runs from 2.30pm – 3.30pm, with tales of his encounters with large hungry carnivores, close shaves with extinction and the challenges for conservation
It will be chaired by BU’s Adrian Newton, Professor of Conservation Ecology, who is also holding a Festival of Learning event on the evening of Thursday 16 July looking at the transition to a green economy.
Chris’ second talk, which runs from 4.30pm to 5.30pm, is aimed at an audience of 12 years and over, featuring a host of zoological riches and humorous anecdotes that provoke questions about the creatures we say we love – and some we don’t.
It will be chaired by Dr Anita Diaz, a Senior Lecturer in Ecology at BU, who is also hosting the Festival of Learning's Studland Showcase.
This event, taking place on Sunday 12 July, will offer the chance to get up close and personal with the wildlife of Studland Nature Reserve – including snakes and spiders – and find out more about conservation work taking place.
The Festival of Learning runs from 11 – 17 July, with over 150 free events and activities suitable for all ages and interests – including sports activities, professional development workshops, and theatre performances.
