Manchester’s massively-popular Science Festival has confirmed it will be making a grand return for 2024 later this year.
Fancy playing some games in the name of science, and helping to discover the key to maintaining healthy brains and bodies while you’re at it? Well, thankfully, Manchester Science Festival is back once again for 2024 – and it’s giving you the chance to do just that.
Not only is it one of the UK’s most popular science festivals, but this year, Manchester Science Festival – which is produced and staged at Manchester‘s legendary Science and Industry Museum in the heart of the city centre every other year – is offering visitors the unique opportunity to become a genuine part of history.
You’ll do this by participating in what will be the world’s largest online study into “the elusive relationship” between the brain and body.
Returning from Friday 18 – Sunday 27 October, the 2024 festival’s programme of events will “explore extremes” and give festivalgoers a shot at getting hands-on with some of science’s most cutting-edge developments, as well as delving into some of the biggest questions facing our planet.
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Think multi-sensory experiences, immersive performances, and so much more.
As mentioned, ahead of this year’s event, the festival has collaborated with researchers at Western University over in Canada to launch a pioneering series of online brain gamesthat will help a team of world-renowned neuroscientists to discover more about the links between physical and cognitive health.
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Manchester Science Festival is making a highly-anticipated return later this year / Credit: Science Museum Group
As well as being fun to take part in, each completed survey will give participants instant results and support them in learning about how their own brain functions, all while helping the neuroscientists identify activities and lifestyle habits that could improve or maintain the functioning of our brains for longer.
Anyone who signs up to the survey will have a chance to to win some Amazon vouchers, and the findings of the experiment will be explored at this year’s Manchester Science Festival.
Speaking ahead of the return of Manchester Science Festival for 2024 later this year, Sally MacDonald, who is the Director of the Science and Industry Museum, said: “We can’t wait for Manchester Science Festival’s return this October.
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“It’s a brilliant opportunity to bring together visitors of all ages and interest to be inspired by science in action, and a wonderful way to showcase Manchester’s long-standing position as a leader in progress and innovation.
Manchester Science Festival is held every other year down at the Science and Industry Museum / Credit: Science Museum Group
“We are delighted to be launching the festival with the pioneering Brain and Body study, and giving more people the unique opportunity to be part of contemporary developments in science and play a role in furthering scientific knowledge to benefit our collective future.”
The ‘Brain and Body study’ is being spearheaded by celebrated neuroscientist, Professor Adrian Owen of Western University.
If you fancy taking part in history, the survey can be completed online here using a desktop, laptop, or tablet, and takes around 75 minutes to fill in – with fun brain games and cognitive challenges all part of the process, and the results shared with you at the end.
Find out more about what to expect at this year’s Manchester Science Festival 2024 here.
Featured Image – Science Museum Group
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Smirnoff teams up with Co-op Live for new Summer Series
Danny Jones
Smirnoff, the world’s number-one vodka brand not to mention a leading force in wider music culture, has officially partnered with Co-op Live to mark the opening of the new state-of-the-art venue and its debut calendar.
The partnership will see the new ‘Co-op Live Summer Series presented by Smirnoff‘ run until 13 September 2024. As part of the collaboration, the vodka brand will surprise and delight guests visiting the venue with great-tasting drinks and the ultimate night out, with VIP packages and more.
Co-op Live has curated a stacked lineup of popular bands, singers and entertainers, including some of the biggest names in music, who are set to perform at Europe’s largest indoor entertainment venue.
Starting the Summer Series off with a bang presented by Smirnoff celebrations, the brand is offering friends a chance to win tickets to see their favourite stars perform live, hosted by celebrities including TV favourite Callum Jones, as well as social media and makeup virtuoso Mitchell Halliday.
Alongside their hosts, winners will enjoy access to the exclusive Decibel Club and enjoy the concert from a private suite hosted by Smirnoff, fully immersing themselves in the ultimate venue experience. Competition details (18+ only) can be found on Smirnoff’s Instagram page.
Attendees at the 23,500 capacity Co-op Live arena will have the opportunity to choose from a range of Smirnoff favourites, including Smirnoff Raspberry Crush, Smirnoff Mango and Passionfruit Twist, Smirnoff No.21 and more.
These drinks will be available to guests over 18 at bars and grab-and-go stations throughout the venue, including the Smirnoff Founders Bar. Guests can also try the newest addition to the range, Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind, at the bar located on the concourse – fingers crossed there’ll be plenty of sun too.
There is a unique must-try experience for all gig attendees: a 360-photo booth on Level 3, where guests can use fun props to snap the best and most high-end selfies they’ve ever taken, and have a chance to get their tickets upgraded that evening.
Operated by holding group Diaego, the aim of Smirnoff’s Co-op Live Summer Series is to reflect the vodka brand’s ongoing commitment to making music more accessible to everyone.
Smirnoff recently rolled out its ‘WE DO US’ campaign, activated through a series of initiatives that aim to reignite social connections and lower barriers to socialising.
Tyler Monk, Smirnoff Brand Manager at Diageo Great Britain, said: “Smirnoff is on a mission to make music more accessible and create unforgettable experiences that bring people together through live music. We’re proud to partner with Co-op Live and be part of Manchester’s vibrant music scene, offering great-tasting Smirnoff drinks, music, and unique experiences to a wider audience.”
Check the website for the full schedule of events at Co-op Live HERE.
Featured Images — Smirnoff (supplied)/The Manc Group
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Printworks adds running track, Sir Mo Farah waxwork and more for Summer of Sport
Daisy Jackson
Manchester’s legendary entertainment complex, Printworks, has unveiled a packed programme of events to celebrate a Summer of Sport.
The popular city centre destination, which recently completed a staggering transformation including installing the biggest digital ceiling in Europe, has created a series of events celebrating the return of the Olympics.
Sir Mo Farah’s lifelike wax figure will be on display from Madame Tussauds in Blackpool, inviting visitors to do the Mobot and snap a selfie with the sporting great.
You’ll also be able to watch the Olympics opening ceremony live at Printworks, underneath that incredible ceiling and from the terraces of Tank & Paddle and Chiquito.
You can even play multi-player games on the big screen inside, hosted by a BBC Radio Manchester presenter.
It all kicks off this week with the Opening Ceremony Party on Friday, with free candy floss and Team GB face painting for the first 250 visitors.
Any children with Team GB face paint on will be able to get a free hot fudge sundae from Hard Rock Cafe with the purchase of a kids’ meal.
Other free events will include weekly gaming sessions, a basketball tournament, a kids’ archery class, and appearances from famous faces.
Printworks will even have a running track lined up all summer.
The digital ceiling will join in on the sporting action, dazzling visitors with animations of synchronised swimmers, athletes, cyclists and divers.
Throughout August, BBC Radio Manchester’s Remmel Dawodu will return to host free weekly interactive gaming sessions on the 1, 8 and 15 August.
You’ll also be able to witness an artist live at work, as they create a mural of an iconic sports person on 1 August.
Slam Dunk-a-Basketball will take place on the 8 August, with archery on 15 August.
The Printworks Opening Ceremony Party will take place between 3.30pm and 6pm on Friday 26 July.
Kristian Brennan, Marketing Manager at Printworks, said: “We are thrilled to offer a vibrant and engaging summer of sports for families at Printworks. Our diverse line-up of free events is designed to bring people together, celebrate athleticism and create unforgettable memories over the summer holidays.”
For more information on a Summer of Sport at Printworks, head here.