Families from Kidlington, Begbroke, Yarnton and the surrounding area had the chance to drop into Exeter Hall in Kidlington and enjoy inspirational free science activities during the recent half-term holiday.
The interactive event, co-designed by Oxford University Development and Cherwell Collective CIC to highlight work at Begbroke Science Park, took place on 16 February. Families got hands-on with up-close science activities and learnt about cutting-edge Oxford University research and emerging technologies that could help us to live more sustainably.
The event themes focused on Food and the Climate Crisis, the Circular Economy, aligning with Cherwell Collective’s carbon reduction initiatives and some innovative research underway locally at Begbroke Science Park, part of Oxford University.
Cherwell Collective runs a Community Larder and Climatarian Kitchen, sharing and supplying food and other essentials that would otherwise go to waste, and its Waste Innovation Station Headquarters encourages the repair and reuse of non-food waste items.
“We were delighted to partner with Cherwell Collective on this event and to welcome more than 80 local residents of all ages to find out about some of the exciting research and sustainable technologies being developed just down the road at Begbroke Science Park and across Oxford University,” commented Oxford University Development’s CEO, Anna Strongman.
“It was an opportunity to shine a light on the exciting work that’s being done by local organisations and scientists in a hands-on way that was fun for everyone.”
Emily Connally, Director of Cherwell Collective, said: “We loved co-hosting this community enrichment day with Oxford University Development about Begbroke Science Park and look forward to many more opportunities to build this partnership.
“Our event showed the amazing possibilities at our fingertips in the climate fight, the plausibility and necessity of incorporating circular principles into our supply chains, and most importantly, was INCREDIBLE, educational fun for dozens of people of all ages.”
A range of local companies, spin-outs and programmes from Begbroke Science Park and the University of Oxford were represented, including:
- OXCCU which make sustainable e-fuels, chemicals and biodegradable plastics ‘from thin air’ by combining CO2 and H2 from water and renewable electricity.
- Ivy Farm which produces sustainable, cultivated meat that shows how ‘science can save our bacon’.
- LEAP (Livestock Environment and People) at the University of Oxford, a research-led initiative currently touring its ‘Meat Your Persona’ pop-up installation, which gets people thinking about their meat-eating habits.
- Oxford Sparks – the portal for engaging people with the wealth of exciting science taking place across Oxford University, including videos on the event themes of Food and the Climate Crisis and the Circular Economy.
Families were encouraged to get involved in the activities to:
- Learn about the impact of meat consumption on climate change, the carbon footprint of different foods (‘Meat Your Persona’ quiz and postcards – and Cherwell Collective activities), and how meat is grown and produced in a laboratory (Ivy Farm).
- Use microscopes to look at different foods close-up, draw what they could see and then create a print of their observations.
- Understand the harmful effects of plastics on the environment and find out how OXCCU is innovating to produce biodegradable plastics and sustainable e-fuels and chemicals using CO2.
- Make their own beeswax wrap to use instead of clingfilm – as a practical way of using less plastic.
- Pick up a yeast starter from Cherwell Collective to make their own sourdough.
- Use waste materials to make games or cards from Waste Innovation Station Headquarters kits.
Further Family Science Days are being planned for the Easter holidays, including another event with Cherwell Collective on 13 and 14 April. Look out for more activities coming soon.
