Never too young to be attracted to molecules (From Oxford Mail)

Never too young to be attracted to molecules

9:30am Monday 11th March 2013 in News

UP and atom! Aoife Kirkaldy delights in the molecular structure of diamonds at the Oxfordshire Science Festival.

The fascinated four-year-old is pictured receiving a lesson on Saturday from public engagement manager at Diamond Light Source, Laura Holland.

Aoife visited the festival, in Bonn Square, with her 33-year-old father Jamie, from Botley Road in Oxford.

He said: “She really enjoyed it. We played with prisms and coloured light and there was a treasure hunt that she thought was great fun.”

Budding young scientists could learn about a range of topics on stalls from 20 different organisations, including Siemens, Oxford University and Oxford Brookes.

Magnets and meteorites were just some of the attractions during the festival, titled Science in Our World.

Organisers estimated around 5,500 people visited the event – now in its fifth year – which runs until March 24.

About 30,000 people are expected to take part over the next two weeks.

The festival boasts exhibits which show the science and technology behind magnetism, cryogenics and MRI scanners, test visitors’ senses and explain how infectious diseases are spread, among many others.

Manager Renee Watson said: “It has been absolutely fantastic. We were full up all day and received some really positive feedback.

“We have lots of hands-on exhibits and some fantastic events for children and families.”