MediaCityUK to host Game Lab for Science Festival

The university’s MediaCityUK campus will host Game Lab as part of a full programme of experiments and events in the coming weeks.

On Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October, 11am – 5pm, GameLab is a FREE open event offering puzzles, problem-solving and Playstations. Ideal for ages 12+, the event is all about experimental gaming, from controllable digital fish to the latest virtual reality from VR Manchester, eSport demos, retro platforms and interactive VJ events across three floors of activity. You can even bring your dog, as the team explains how new technology tracks canine health to make your furry friends healthier.

The festival – 19th to 29th  October is produced by the Museum of Science and Industry and supported by The University of Salford as lead educational partner.

–       Thursday, 19 October: Electrifying the Voice – join Professor Trevor Cox and professional opera singers for a mix of music and acoustic experimentation. Can the human voice smash a wine glass – myth or fact? Chetham’s Library 7.30-8.30pm (booking required)

–       Friday, 20 October: Join the brilliant Science of Star Wars author Jon Chase, winner of the 2017 Josh Award for Science Communication at a Preview Night, MediaCityUK Campus, University of Salford, 5-7pm

–       Saturday/Sunday 21/22 October GameLab at MediaCityUK Campus, University of Salford 11am – 5pm, including: GameLab – Puzzles, problem-solving and Playstations: From controllable digital fish to the latest virtual reality from VR Manchester, eSport demos, retro platforms and interactive VJ events across three floors of activity. You can even bring your dog, as we explain how new technology tracks canine health and make our furry friends healthier.

–       The Library of Fake News – With fake news making fake headlines over the last 12 months, how do we sort fact from fiction? Pay a visit to MediaCityUK’s Library of Fake News and discover what fake news actually is, how the truth popped its clogs and why misinformation could mean now more than ever, that seeing is no longer believing.

–       AquAIRium: Enter the AquAIRium, an immersive dry aquarium that brings every sound, scent and surface of the ocean to life in an art-science installation. Discover marine biology, how the ocean works, the ethics of aquaria, conservation, and how digital and virtual displays are revolutionising our experience of the deep blue sea.

–       Science in the House – House music meets live-mixed £D visuals in this incredible audio-visual experience. Enjoy graphics and images from the Large Hadron Collider and the Higgs boson flying around, plus the science of particle and accelerator physics, set to a soundtrack.

–       Citizen Science Showcase – What happens when science meets people power? Everything! From classifying planets to exploring our natural world, you too can play your part in advancing scientific endeavour. Come and celebrate people-powered experiments in this showcase of projects.

–       DeviceD – Want to control a dance performance from your phone? Device D is an audio-visual installation turning Twitter posts into performance instruction as through wearable vibrating sensors. Conceived by dance lecturer Manoli Moriarty and also on show at The Grand Exposition, Talbot Mill. 27-29 October.

–       Sing ‘Til You’re Grinning – Thursday, 26 October at Eccles Gateway and Library 2.30-3.30pm. Discover how the science of singing and hitting those high notes affects your health. Exercise your vocal chords with the Eccles Daytime Choir and find out the five ways that being in a choir can improve your life.

–       Pi: Baffled by Brains – Saturday, 28 October at Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester. 10.30-4.30pm. Join Dr Gemma Lace-Costigan from the School of Environment and Life Sciences and the Salford Institute for Dementia to explore the world of brains. Build, create, touch and play in this interactive event which looks at how the brain works and what happens when it breaks down.

Andy Miah, Professor of Science Communication at the University of Salford said: “Our scientists are make a huge contribution to the festival this year including an amazing exploration of the human voice by Professor Trevor Cox, which will feature on BBC Tomorrow’s World.

“Dr Gary Kerr is delving into the health and wellbeing benefits of choirs and Dr Gemma Lace-Costigan is one of this year’s Pi experts at MOSI, answering questions on the workings and failings of the human brain.”

“We also host Game Lab at our own campus at MediaCityUK, where the public can interact and explore exciting areas of science over the weekend of October 21-22.