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10th November 2021
AJ Handley-Rowe -
10th November 2021 Trafford Centre to host FREE family science weekend with robots, dinosaurs, experiments, and more
Emily Sergeant
A new science festival is coming to Manchester next month, and little ones can meet robots, dinosaurs, and more.
Families are invited to enjoy a free fun-filled weekend full of different interactive and hands-on science activities, as FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre early next month to mark the launch of British Science Week – which runs from Friday 6 through to Sunday 15 March.
The weekend-long celebration is hosted by the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester.
You can expect robots, dinosaurs, experiments, and interactive activities to be brought to life for visitors of all ages, and for completely free of charge.
In the dedicated dinosaur zone, you can step back in time with spectacular displays and meet real-life palaeontologists who will reveal fascinating secrets of the prehistoric world, as well as get the chance to handle genuine fossils, find out how scientists understand ancient life, and take as many selfies as possible.
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Over in the robot zone, this is where you’ll get to discover smart robots that move, react, and perform crowd‑pleasing tricks, while young engineers test their skills, control mini‑bots, and learn how robotics keeps people safe.
There’ll also be a flight simulator – suitable for children aged seven and above – where you can soar into the science of flight and take the controls in an exciting experience, before exploring how aircraft design, weather, and environments affect flight.
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Families can also enjoy a wide mix of creative, sensory, and scientific fun in the dedicated experiments zone too.
“We’re thrilled to welcome FunLab to the centre and provide families with an unforgettable experience,” commented Simon Layton, who is the Centre Director at the Trafford Centre. “From robot dogs to giant dinosaurs, there’s something to amaze everyone.”
A spokesperson for The University of Manchester added: “We are proud to showcase our world‑leading researchers directly to the community.
“Our scientists, engineers and students are passionate about sharing their work, and events like FunLab we want to show young people and their families that that science is exciting, creative and truly for everyone.”
Read more:
- Manchester’s ‘super duper’ family festival full of FREE activities is back this weekend
- Adults-only ‘after hours’ event returns to Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum
- Science and Industry Museum announces new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’
FunLab takes over the Trafford Centre on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March, and you can find out more information here.
Featured Image – Mikhail Nilov (via Pexels)
New ‘warm and funny’ animated children’s show set in Manchester airs on CBeebies
Emily Sergeant
A brand new animated children’s sitcom that’s set in modern-day Manchester has now started airing on CBeebies.
Rafi the Wishing Wizard follows seven-year-old Rafi Martin, a determined young wizard learning to use her very own wishing wand, but there’s one twist – she can only make one wish a day, and it always runs out, usually when she least expects it.
Set in present-day Manchester, the magical series follows Rafi as she encounters everyday situations with a magical twist.
From wishing for rocket shoes on the way to school, and wishing you were mermaids in the swimming pool, to wishing her bed could fly, and for bigger hands to save more goals in football, the adorable new show takes life’s ordinary moments and turns them into something extraordinary.
Oh, but that’s not without a heap of magical chaos along the way.
With the help of her two dads, Jake (Daddy) and Dash (Dad), her best friends Ruby and Finn, and her grumpy pet cat Deborah, Rafi begins to realise that the real magic in life isn’t the wish, it’s her family, friends, and community.
According to the BBC, at its core, Rafi the Wishing Wizard is a classic family sitcom driven by ‘magic, surprise, and plenty of heart’.
Another thing that makes Rafi different, according to the show’s creators, is that she’s just a normal kid in Manchester… but one who just happens to be a wishing wizard.
“It’s that mix of the ordinary and the extraordinary that gives the show its spark,” the BBC said in a statement.
All 26 episodes of Rafi the Wishing Wizard are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, or watch on CBeebies – with each episode only being seven-minutes long, making it ideal for younger attention spans and easier to spot all of the Manchester landmarks.
Executive Producer Tom Cousins says setting the show in Manchester was a ‘deliberate choice’.
“It’s a city that’s close to my heart, but it also gives makes the world feel specific and familiar to UK audiences.”
Beth Gardiner, who is the Commissioning Editor for CBeebies, added: “We are very proud that this series is set in Manchester and know that it will resonate with children and families across the country. This series celebrates the warmth of family and friends and shines a light on our audiences’ wishes and the magic of everyday moments.”
Read more:
- Manchester’s ‘super duper’ family festival full of FREE activities is back this weekend
- CBeebies is bringing its popular Bedtime Stories show live to Manchester for free
- Science and Industry Museum announces new major exhibition taking visitors on an ‘epic space adventure’
Rafi the Wishing Wizard is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer, or watch on CBeebies live, and you can find all episodes here.
Featured Image – CBeebies / BBC
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