The Cambridge Science Festival kicks off its Science on Saturday with celebrity mathematician and University of Cambridge graduate Carol Vorderman and the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge Professor Alison Richard hosting the Grand Opening at 10 am outside the Sedgwick Museum in the Courtyard, Downing Site, Downing Street, Cambridge.

Organised by the University of Cambridge, it is a free event for all ages, providing schools, families and children the opportunity to dig in and learn more about science and how it affects the world around us. This year's theme is 'Planets and People', and the festival will feature talks, workshops and demonstrations hosted by people who study or work with science, engineering and technology.

Top events include:

• The science of Harry Potter®– Who is the real Dumbledore? Can owls really deliver the post? Roger Highfield, Science Editor of the Daily Telegraph, has interviewed the world's best Muggle scientists to identify the explanations behind everything from broomstick flight to the Invisibility Cloak. Join him for a fascinating account of the mysteries if the world of Harry Potter®.

• Crime of the century - Solve an ancient murder with Carenza Lewis of Channel Four’s Time Team.

• Crash, bang, squelch! – 50 hands-on science experiments from Cambridge’s Hands-On Science team of students.

The ‘Spotlight on Science’ lecture series will also continue tomorrow with ‘Can you eat yourself fit?’. A panel of leading nutrition scientists will be available to answer questions on good nutrition and can help you change your diet for life. The event is sponsored by MRC Human Nutrition Research.

The discussion will be held from 4:30pm - 6pm at Michael House Cafe, St. Michael's Church, Trinity Street, Cambridge.

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.

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 will be available on the festival’s website. Interested parties can also call the information line on 01223 766766. Those interested in any of the events that require booking, should book soon due to some venues’ space limitations.

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.

Note

1. Warner Bros. Entertainment and J.K. Rowling are not responsible for this event but, subject to conditions, they have kindly granted us permission to use the HARRY POTTER® trade mark and other materials

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