The Cambridge Science Festival was opened to thousands of visitors on Saturday by celebrity mathematician and University of Cambridge graduate Carol Vorderman and University of Cambridge Vice Chancellor Professor Alison Richard.

Events in and around the university departments gave visitors a chance to see science in action, and learn about the environment around them.

Interactive sessions included ‘Crime of the Century’ – offering visitors the chance to solve an ancient murder with Carenza Lewis of Channel Four’s Time Team; 'Crash, Bang, Squelch!', an opportunity for children of all ages to take part in some fun-tastic hands-on science experiments; and ‘Bottle your Own Genes’, which showed how to isolate and bottle your own DNA.

Nicola Buckley, organiser for the Cambridge Science Festival, said:

“This year’s Science Festival has been a great success, and we are very thankful for the volunteers and public for participating. Science and maths education is very important and this event gives children and adults of all ages an opportunity to have fun and learn as well.

Due to the unprecedented demand this year, there were some long waits for the most popular events, we thank the public for their patience and hope they enjoyed the Festival.

If anyone has a programme they no longer need, please send it to CSF, 9 Jesus Lane, Cambridge, CB5 8BA so that we can give them to visitors to help orientate them at all the great events taking place during the week and at next Science Weekend”

Spotlight on Science, a series of evening lectures for ages 14 will continue this week, including talks on autism and the mathematics of risk and gambling.

The Festival continues this week with a number of events until Sunday, March 26.

Week events include:

• In the footsteps of Cambridge Scientists: Walks to discover how Cambridge scientists explored the planet, searched the skies around it and are seeking ways to protect it and its inhabitants (until March 25).

• Institute of Astronomy Open Night - an opportunity for visitors of all ages to use telescopes and have astronomers explain what can be seen (March 22, 7.15-9pm Institute of Astronomy).

Second Science on Saturday Events include:

• Experiments from Lab-in-a-Lorry - Exciting practical demonstrations of Physics in action, which reveal the beauty and surprise of scientific understanding and its relevance to everyday life.

• Aviators to Astronauts - Interactive event on how aeroplanes work & how this has impacted the world since the birth of flight. Event will include how to make the perfect paper aeroplane - including time trials!!

Events for adults:

• Gifted scientists and Autism: is there a connection - Professor Simon Baron-Cohen, an expert on autism, has put forward the theory that autism may be described as the ‘extreme male brain’. In this new lecture, he will discuss whether there is a connection between gifted scientists, who are required to systemize – to understand how systems work and how to predict them - and autism. (20th March, 7:30pm - 8:30pm, Lady Mitchell Hall)

• Priorities for People & Planet - Tim Radford, former Science Editor of The Guardian, chairs a panel including Tony Juniper, Director, Friends of the Earth; Ian Gibson MP, former Chair, House of Commons Science & Technology Committee; Kay-Tee Khaw, Professor of Clinical Gerontology; and Tom Corsellis, Director, The Shelter Centre talking about what the priorities for scientific research and development should be with regard to environmental issues, health and disease and our response to natural disasters.

The Science Festival runs until Sunday, 26 March. It provides people of all ages the opportunity to explore science through hands on activities and talks hosted by people who study or work with science, engineering and technology.

The first Science weekend was held on the weekend of March 18-19, when many of the laboratory tours, demonstrations and hands-on activities took place. Carol Vorderman opened the Science weekend on Saturday, March 18 in the Courtyard, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge.

Now in its 13th year, the Cambridge Science Festival hosts over 100 events and is one of National Science Week’s major initiatives. Its aim is to interest school children and adults in the scientific research going on throughout the University, and to encourage school pupils to consider studying science in the future. The events also provide the general public with the chance to ask questions of researchers at the University of Cambridge and for scientists to engage with the public on issues of interest and concern.

The full programme of the events is on the festival’s website. Interested parties can also call the information line on 01223 766766.

The 2006 Cambridge Science Festival is sponsored by Cambridge University Press, The Technology Partnership, Microsoft Research, the Vodafone UK Foundation, Science Magazine and Oracle. Supporters of the Festival include Cambridge Evening News and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire.

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