Free activities for inquisitive minds at LiGHTS 2017

Play a game of Noughts & Crosses against a robot; learn about the 3D scanning of the 2,000-year-old Terracotta Army; see the world through a dog’s eyes; visit the Happiness Lab; and take a chance to trick a passport controller.

These are just some of the activities on offer at this year’s LiGHTS event at the University of Lincoln, UK.

The one-day expo, which encourages Lincoln to Get Hold of Technology and Science (LiGHTS), is returning to the University of Lincoln on Friday 29th September 2017.

Supported by the European Commission, LiGHTS features a full day of free activities, aimed at inquisitive minds of all ages, including school pupils, who are interested in exploring the university and finding out about the effects that university research and innovation have on everyday life.

More than 50 free activities presented by researchers from all departments in the University of Lincoln are on offer during the day, giving people a chance to learn more about the cutting-edge research undertaken at the University.

“We hope that by showcasing some of the University of Lincoln’s most exciting and amazing work, LiGHTS will attract thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds to an illuminating day which will inform and inspire them about discoveries in science, humanities, technology and engineering,” said Carenza Lewis, Professor for the Public Understanding of Research at the University of Lincoln.

Hundreds of people attended last year’s LiGHTS, which was one of 250 linked events held in major cities across the continent as part of The European Researchers’ Night.

First staged in 2005 by the European Commission, European Researchers’ Night aims to promote careers in science and research. As well as the University of Lincoln, the Rome Planetarium, the Royal Botanic Garden Juan Carlos I in Madrid and London’s Natural History Museum have staged events in previous years.

“LiGHTS gives anyone and everyone a chance to find out about research and discovery at the University of Lincoln by hearing about the latest discoveries, exploring the University, trying out equipment and taking part in experiments to see how research can affect all our lives,” continued Professor Lewis.
“Last year’s first ever LiGHTS Night received incredibly positive feedback from visitors and we’re confident that with even more things to see and do at this year’s event that LiGHTS 2017 will be even more popular.”A full programme of events, along with a specially commissioned promotional video, can be found on the LiGHTS website, with highlights including:

• Understanding Evolution
  Interactive detective session with a primate psychologist about Darwin, monkeys and evolution
• Meet MARC
  Compete in a game of rock, paper, scissors against this robotic player.
• Skeletons In The Cupboard
  What can we learn from human bones? Find out by examining archaeological skeletons excavated from Lincoln.
• Myths And Science Of Sleep
  By the age of three, we’ve become experts at sleeping, having spent 10,000 hours asleep. So why do so many people struggle to get a good night’s sleep?
• The Building Blocks Of Food
  Learn how to use detergent and alcohol to extract DNA from everyday food, and take home a souvenir tube of that DNA!
• Science In Song
  A performance by the University of Lincoln students of music, ranging from Bartok to the Beastie Boys – all inspired by technology and science.
• Tours Of The University of Lincoln Laboratories

Individuals and small groups wanting to attend LiGHTS do not need to book in advance. However, groups of over 10 people and school teachers wanting to bring their class to LiGHTS should email lights@lincoln.ac.uk or call 01522 837 180 to discuss their requirements with the University of Lincoln LiGHTS coordinator.