Ideas of March: OxSciFest

It's that time of the year again when we look forward to the shrieks, bangs and 'aaaahhs' generated by the Oxfordshire Science Festival.

Oxford University staff and students are involved in many of the events taking place 6-21 March, with the regular Wow! How? science fair at the OU Museum of Natural History & Pitt Rivers (13 March) and the Oxford University Science Roadshow (15-19 March) amongst the sciencey enticements on offer.

As always Wow! How? (10am-4pm on the 13th) is all about hands-on science with fun experiments and demonstrations: expect custard, rockets, slime, explosions, and creepy-crawlies.

Although aimed at a family audience, the festival is free and open to everyone. The Wow! How? team are still looking for volunteers so if you are (or know) an Oxford scientist who would like to get involved email [email protected] or call 01865 282456.

Meanwhile, the Oxford University Science Roadshow continues to take the message that science can be fun out to schools around Oxfordshire.

This year's programme will see George McGavin introduce pupils at St Birinus School, Didcot to the world of insects (15th), David Pyle explore the hot stuff of volcanoes at Burford School and Community College, Burford (16th), Suzie Sheehy bring accelerated physics to Wood Green School, Witney (17th), Marcus du Sautoy present the number mysteries at St Gregory the Great, Oxford (18th), and pupils at Lord William's School, Thame find out about earthquakes from Tony Blakeborough (19th).

In all there are over 100 events happening as part of the festival that ties in with National Science and Engineering Week so, wherever you are, March should see great science events happening somewhere near you.