Contemplation Zone provides a space for reflection at Imperial Festival

Children visit the Contemplation Zone at last the 2016 Imperial Festival.

Science Communication students have created the space for thought and contemplation away from the hustle and bustle of this year's festival frenzy.

The Imperial Festival, happening on 6–7 May 2017, is the College’s flagship free public event, celebrating the best of science, engineering and creativity. 

Visitiors at the Contemplation Zone

Following last year’s success, the Contemplation Zone will be back at the 2017 Festival, offering a space to take time off from the many exciting festival activities and reflect on the relevance of science in society and how it is represented in the media.

The zone, curated by students from Imperial’s MSc in Science Communication course, will feature science documentaries, podcasts and magazines, providing a space for festival goers to think about science critically.

Some of the activities available to visitors include:

Ask the expert podcast session - From appetite and food craving to robotic technology, our experts are here for you. Join us after your favourite talk to take part in a Q&A with our experts on air. And remember, there’s no such thing as a dumb question!

Dark Lady of DNA

Group project exhibition - As part of their course, MSc Science Communication students have developed a series of artworks and installations to reflect on the nature of communication, science and technology and the political, social and cultural roles of the media. Join us and discover the artistic side of our student community.

Spot the fake news - Fake news and alternative facts seem to be the new trending topic in media, but do you know how to spot them? Join our students as they encourage you to think critically and explore the authenticity of news and the role of social media in science in a post-truth world. Test your ability to spot fake science news as you scroll through a human-size Facebook wall and create your own headlines!

Delicate Landscapes

Delicate landscapes - The Grantham Institute is presenting a depiction the human impact on present and future landscape change expressed through a series of digitally modified classic works of art. The gallery serves as a thought-provoking installation of how such famous landscapes might be depicted by the respective artists both now and in the future with the ever increasing impacts of global environmental change.

The Contemplation Zone is just one of 12 interactive zones at the 2017 Imperial Festival. The weekend-long event at Imperial’s South Kensington Campus brings together hundreds of attractions, live interactive experiments, new technology demonstrations, in-depth talks, lab tours, creative workshops and performances within zones themed around Robots, Superbugs, Health & Body, the Future, and Energy and Environment.

The Imperial Festival programme has something for all ages to enjoy, from young children ready to be inspired by the latest in scientific discoveries, to adults wanting to spend a weekend taking in cool science and technology while enjoying delicious food and a variety of music and dance performances. 

Register to attend Imperial Festival (6-7 May)

The 2016 festival attracted 15,000 visitors to the College The festival is free and open to the public.

To attend just register here. By registering your attendance, you will be entered into a free prize draw to experience some exclusive historic tours around hidden parts of Imperial’s historic landmarks, as well as the chance to win Festival a goodie bag. The tours are limited and not usually open to the public so register for your chance to win.

Written by Judit Agui - MSc Science Communication