Astronaut Tim Peake launches Salford University event for Manchester Science Festival

ASTRONAUT Tim Peake launched a science jam at MediaCity as part of the Manchester Science Festival. 

British astronaut Tim Peake kick started the festival at MediaCityUK last week. 

From robots and drones to virtual reality and exotic creatures; this year’s free event was bigger and more eccentric than ever, and will definitely be one to remember.

People of all ages were able to indulge in homemade smoothies in the enchanted forest, see the effects of radiation when they struggled to shoot Spiderman, and get lost in interactive sound sensory room.

There was even chance to get your brain hacked by optical illusions, see how liquid nitrogen works and learn how to crush a drinks can using only water.

Even though all features were fun for everyone, the day was aimed at children and was set up by organisers who wanted to make the gateway for real world science a fun one.

@realfoodteam @McrSciFest @SalfordUni day 2 of the Science Jam we are on the 3rd floor great fun to be had pic.twitter.com/7j7T7ejevd

— Real Food Wythenshawe (@realfoodteam) October 23, 2016

Professor Andy Miah, who’s Chair in Science Communication & Future Media at the University of Salford, was one of the lecturers involved in making the day a success.

He said: “It’s crucial that young people get a sense of how much fun science can be, but also how many questions there are still to answer.

“For everything that we’re doing, the scientists with all their cutting edge methods and all their technologies still have big questions that we haven’t solved, and when you come along you’ll get a sense of how much we’ve done, but just still how much there’s left to do.

“We want young people to come along, understand that science is fun, that they can do it, it’s for them, it’s not something that’s just for other people, but this is open to everyone and they can find their route into science.”

This was just one part of the Manchester Science Festival, which started on the 25^th and ends on the 30^th of October.

If you would like to get involved, head to the festival’s website to find out what’s on near you.