{"id":679,"date":"2025-07-14T09:54:34","date_gmt":"2025-07-14T09:54:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/per\/?p=679"},"modified":"2025-07-17T09:23:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T09:23:21","slug":"sidmouth-science-festival-inspiring-scientific-curiosity-in-east-devon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.exeter.ac.uk\/per\/2025\/07\/14\/sidmouth-science-festival-inspiring-scientific-curiosity-in-east-devon\/","title":{"rendered":"Sidmouth Science Festival: Inspiring Scientific Curiosity in East Devon"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

All photography credits – Phil Meades<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Our team is excited to share the work of Sidmouth Science Festival, an annual 10-day showcase bringing the work of STEM subjects to audiences of all ages and walks of life. This year\u2019s events, taking place from the 10th<\/sup> to the 19th<\/sup> October will feature academics from the University of Exeter and beyond, each committed to sharing their passion for science.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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Starting in 2012, the Sidmouth Science Festival has grown year on year, becoming a 10-day long experience, composed of hands-on activities, talks from science communicators, and family fun at the Norman Lockyer Observatory<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The festival is delivered by a team of volunteers, with previous sponsorships from Exeter Science Centre<\/a>, the University of Exeter, Devon County Council<\/a>, and more. With the aims of making science accessible to all, the vast majority of festival events are free, and suitable for attendees of all ages. \u201cIt’s always inspiring to see the enthusiasm of our visitors\u2014especially young people sharing their own knowledge and curiosity.\u201d Liz Bramley, one of the festival\u2019s coordinators, tells us. \u201cWe\u2019re equally grateful to our speakers who continue to motivate and enthuse the next generation.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2024, a team of over 100 volunteers supported 31 festival activities, with contributions from more than 20 local and national organizations.  Visitors were given the chance to tour an Invertebrate Zoo, explore local questions of biodiversity and geology, and even make their own robots! The festival also worked with local schools, and incorporated talks from academics based across the South West. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year\u2019s celebrations will take place from the 10th<\/sup> to the 19th<\/sup> October, building on the festival\u2019s success in engaging new members of the public. Events will take place at a variety of Sidmouth locations across the ten days, covering topics such as: <\/p>\n\n\n

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