Giant Interactive Robotic Snail at Life Marks Start of 10-Day Celebration of Science
Luma, a nine-metre illuminated robotic snail delighted schoolchildren from across the region as Life Science Centre (Life) marked the start of British Science Week today (Friday 7 March).
Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central and West, and Chair of the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, was at Life to officially launch the 10-day-celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), which runs until 16 March.
The event also marked the launch of Life’s 25th birthday celebrations with the award-winning centre celebrating a quarter century in May.
Luma, who is at Life until 15 March, has been created by leading robotics studio Air Giants and uses world-pioneering mechanical technology to interact with visitors, its three-metre-high head bending to greet people as they approach.
This is the first time that Luma has been in the North East after delighting audiences across the UK, giving visitors to Life a unique opportunity to get up close to the interactive giant glowing snail.
Luma is the highlight of a special programme of robotic themed events which includes an adult Science Speakeasy on 13 March, that explores whether robots could help solve the UK’s care crisis*. An opportunity to visit Luma is included as part of the event.
On Saturday 8 March, visitors can explore how regional scientists and engineers are applying robotics to solve real-world challenges. In partnership with Sunderland University, visitors can meet robotic dogs and droids and experiment with a Rubik’s Cube-solving bot.
More than 2000 schoolchildren will also be visiting Life for curriculum-linked robotics workshops over the week.
Chi Onwurah said: “I am delighted to celebrate British Science Week, a time when we shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to our society.
“And it is only fitting that we mark this occasion at the Centre for Life, an institution that has been at the heart of STEM engagement in our region for 25 years.”
According to the latest Science Education Tracker**, a major national survey of young people’s experiences of science education in England, interest in science has declined nationally and a gender gap has opened up since 2019. This coincides with a sharp decrease in access to practical science for schoolchildren.
Life Chief Executive Linda Conlon said: “This recent survey illustrates that more needs to be done to keep young people interested in STEM as they progress through school.
“British Science Week provides a great opportunity to put a spotlight on science in an engaging and relevant way. Luma has enchanted audiences across the UK and we are delighted to bring it to Newcastle as part of our 25th birthday celebrations.”
For more details about activities happening at Life during British Science Week, visit https://www.life.org.uk/whats-on/british-science-week/
*separate charges apply for Science Speakeasy
**Science Education Tracker is a survey for the Royal Society in partnership with EngineershipUK https://royalsociety.org/news/2024/04/science-education-tracker-2023/
