The world of science will come to life with a series of fun and fascinating events at the Roman Baths this March.
To celebrate National Science & Engineering Week (9-18 March), the Roman Baths will host a range of scientific demonstrations and encourage visitors to try out simple experiments too.
For some hands-on archaeological science, volunteers will be creating handling tables for visitors to enjoy between 2pm and 4pm on 10th, 12th, 13th, 16th and 17th March. These will cover various science and engineering topics, from metals and their uses through to the wonders of the water cycle.
Budding scientists can also take part in the various experiments, such as testing the temperature and pH of the Roman Baths water, building a voussoir arch, and exploring a fully functioning model Roman aqueduct!
On Wednesday 14th March, the Roman Baths will present a very special science and engineering extravaganza from 4pm to 8pm (last entry 7pm). A variety of activities and experiments will be taking place throughout the site, hosted by science ‘buskers’ – all knowledgeable in their chosen fields.
Councillor Paul Crossley (Lib-Dem, Southdown), Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: “This is a great opportunity for everyone to learn in a fun and entertaining way how science and engineering can affect our everyday lives.
“The Romans invented cement that could set underwater – nearly 2,000 years before it was commonplace in Britain, and the water in the Roman Baths is more than 10,000-year-old rainfall which has filtered down through the Mendip hills. Therefore Bath & North East Somerset Council is proud to support National Science & Engineering Week by turning the Roman Baths into a giant science laboratory with this series of events.”
The ‘buskers’ will also be providing demonstrations and information about the snails in the Great Bath, conservation and Roman building with lime mortar, painting walls with pigments and binders, and even some CSI-style forensic mathematics with tiles and animal footprints.
All week, the illustrated character “Professor Romeo” will guide younger visitors through a science and engineering trail, with clue sheets available from the front desk. The professor is struggling to engineer an arch, and his trail will follow the usual route through the baths to find solutions to solve his dilemma.
National Science & Engineering Week, run by the British Science Association, shines the spotlight each March on how science, technology, engineering and maths relate to our everyday lives and helps to inspire the next generation of scientists with fun and participative activities.
