Manchester Science Festival unveils a dazzling programme of hands-on activities, immersive experiences and adults-only events at the Science and Industry Museum

This October, the biennial Manchester Science Festival returns to the Science and Industry Museum, staging ten days of ‘WOW moments’ including immersive installations, hands-on activities and cutting-edge innovations both in the museum and around the city with a programme dedicated to exploring ‘extremes’.

Taking place from Fri 18 – Sun 27 Oct, Manchester Science Festival invites curious kids and inquisitive adults alike to explore interactive displays and exclusive events, from immersive light installations about modern technology and giant spider puppets to family friendly Activity Zones.

Running throughout the festival, the new large-scale immersive installation State of Mind unpacks the profound impact of smartphones, apps and media technologies on our mood, behaviour and day-to-day lives through a breathtaking audiovisual experience. Free to explore every day, visitors can sit, stand or walk through the unique, vibrant representation of an ever-changing digital world created by pioneering light, sound and technology artists Squidsoup.

Located in the museum’s historic 1830 Warehouse, an assortment of Activity Zones allow visitors to get hands-on with pop-up activities and drop-in workshops hosted by partners including the National Graphene Institute, the Natural History Museum, the Royal Society and more.

See the groundbreaking Vollebak graphene jacket up close, explore the mental health benefits of drumming, investigate molecules and even discover the smell of an active volcano as part of the festival’s free programme.

Ideal for families with younger budding scientists, the STEM-inspired BBC Cbeebies Bedtime Stories promise to delight cosmic kids with a selection of mesmerising tales told by Cbeebies House presenters and a constellation of special guests, with tickets available to book soon.

Elsewhere, you can take part in activities that uncover the mysterious relationship between our brains and bodies. Based on the findings of a major international online study – set to be revealed as part of the festival programme – the exhibition invites you to compete with friends and family to discover whether video gaming or physical exercise is better for improved cognition.

On the opening night of Manchester Science Festival, the museum hosts STEM champion, social entrepreneur and computer scientist, Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE alongside the UK Space Agency’s Head of Space Exploration, Libby Jackson OBE for a captivating interactive forum about AI and its potential applications in space exploration. From rover navigation and satellite design to automated piloting and ‘space junk’ disposal, Imafidon and Jackson contemplate the endless possibilities of AI in space and how the realms of science fiction might become a reality.

Taking place as part of their specially curated AI-themed weekend programme, the Cosmic Quiz invites single competitors and teams of up to 4 to face off in the Cosmic Quiz, a thrilling evening of surprise rounds, pop-up performances and intergalactic intrigue staged in collaboration with The Quiz Team.

Over in Manchester Arndale, the jaw-dropping giant Arachnobot promises to delight and terrify science-loving shoppers with a ‘high impact spectacle’ controlled by a single puppeteer. Created by Artistic Director Tim Davies, the Arachnobot towers over crowds with an intricate eight-legged cable skeleton and inflatable skin, showcasing the extremes of colossal kinetic creations across Sat 19 and Sun 20 Oct. There will also be an array of special spider science activities to get involved with throughout the weekend.

On Sat 26 Oct, the Science and Industry Museum hosts a one-off After Hours event to celebrate the final weekend of the festival. From 7-10pm, adults can enjoy exclusive access to State of Mind, as well as a premiere of new works from artists Liam Ashworth and Luca Agathogli in partnership with Venture Arts, an award-winning organisation working with learning-disabled artists. Throughout the evening, guests are welcome to explore interactive performance, a zine and a digital display inspired by themes of sports science and space, with a pop-up events bar on hand to serve a range of wines, beers and non-alcoholic drinks.

City Sparks, the museum’s programme of activities developed in collaboration with community partners, will also be hosting a variety of spellbinding experiences both at the museum and across Greater Manchester.

From Tue 22 – Sat 26 Oct, Maternal Instinct hosts an unmissable creative residency featuring an installation from Manchester-based arts duo Malandra Jacks and Harpurhey support group Mindful Mums, where a pop-up immersive experience at Harpurhey Sure Start Children’s Centre explores the remarkable science behind pregnancy, motherhood and mental health.

The Young People’s Project from Pinc College will unveil an interactive installation examining the link between colour and emotion, and work from this year’s Community Showcase will present work from Beswick Chatty Crafters, Mandem Meetup, Reclaim Young Policy Makers and artist Linda Wachaga at the museum throughout the programme.

Check out the full Manchester Science Festival programme and book your tickets below.