Above: The Extinct play at St James Cavalier

The Exploding Custard is a fast-moving, entertaining show with simple science experiments. The Bubble Frenzy is another dazzling display of giant bubbles and rainbow colours that will leave children in awe. Well-known science communicator Ian Russell will be sharing his contagious delight in phenomena at the Science Fair taking place at Valletta City Gate area as part of Science in the City on Friday 25th September from 6.00pm onwards. The shows: Exploding Custard (8.00pm and 10.00pm) and the Bubble Frenzy (7.15 pm and 9.15pm) will be bringing lots of laughter to both children and adults alike.

The Exploding Custard

Apart from these two entertaining childrens’ shows, the Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST) will be featuring the lovable mascots Fonzu l-Fenek and Miċu who will be entertaining children with singalongs, and inviting the public to an interactive science exhibition Esplora, sponsored by Science Projects UK.

The puppet show

The Science Fair will host numerous spectacular experiments, demos and exhibitions. The UoM Racing Team will be exhibiting their latest two formula-style racing cars and sharing their recent experience at the prestigious Formula Student Competition in Parma, Italy. An area of Valletta entrance will be transformed into underwater projections while seismologists from the Faculty of Science (Department of Geosciences) will show visitors what to do when an earthquake strikes celebrating the centenary of the Faculty of Science, University of Malta.

Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST) through its Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) and IASSO student organisation will present engaging and entertaining experiments – demonstrating how simple and practical engineering and science challenges are solved. Lots of fun filled activities involving the audience.

The National Student Travel Foundation (NSTF) will be showing their best exhibits from their Science programmes (Science Expo and Science Days Gozo). Visitors will be immersed in the students’ projects with topics varying from asthma and apples, to acids and heat burn, optical illusions, rockets, bird songs, to air pollution and smoking, amongst others.

Near them MEUSAC are setting up an EU corner. Visitors can explore Ocean World, find out about clean food and food processing, and play computer games created by machines—all of which are Marie Sklodowska-Curie research. The MEUSAC team will have other games celebrating science and the EU.

For the second year running Coca Cola will be participating in the festival with an EkoCycle Cube 3D printer, which recylces post-consumer waste, to recreate new, handy, and personalised things, for example a mobile cover. The Water Services Corporation will be bringing their latest technology – a reverse osmosis van to test water purity.
To top the area off Malta’s Police Forensic Science Laboratory are recreating a crime scene riddled with clues that visitors will need to figure out to find the criminal. At CSI Valletta, visitors will see the real science behind the TV drama shows. While Maltese scientists will be on hand showcasing the technology they are developing that will automatically match the picture drawn by a sketch artist on the eyewitness’ testimony by comparing it to the actual photos in the police force’s database.

More science activities for children will be housed in the surrounding area. At St James Cavalier (Spazju Kreattiv) children will enjoy two puppet shows: Extinct? (6pm and 8pm)- an interactive play for 7 to 12 year olds. Children will be asked to help Dr Jimmy and Dr Johnny with their discoveries and they might find that animals may not stay extinct for long but become dangerous! The Marie Curie Puppet Show will take children on a journey of Marie Curie’s life and learn about all her amazing discoveries.

Further informaiton about the programme can be obtained from the website: HYPERLINK “http://www.scienceinthecity.org.mt” www.scienceinthecity.org.mt or view updates on facebook page: HYPERLINK “http://www.facebook.com/ScienceInTheCityMalta” www.facebook.com/ScienceInTheCityMalta

Science in the City – European Researchers Night is funded by the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action of the Horizon 2020 (H2020) Programme, and organised by the University of Malta, the University’s Research Trust (RIDT), and the Malta Chamber of Scientists. It is recognised as a Festival by Europe for Festivals and Festivals for Europe (EFFE).

The festival is also supported by the European Commission Representation in Malta, the Parliamentary Secretary for Research, Innovation, Youth and Sports, Karl Borg Events, Central Bank of Malta, MCAST, MCST, Studio 7, Spazju Kreattiv, MEUSAC, PBS, Levo Laboratories, Valletta Local Council, Notte Bianca, Arts Council Malta, Thought 3D, and General Soft drinks with Coca Cola.