Fabulous Fun Palaces Weekend!
After the success of the activities we ran last year up at Nottingham Castle, last weekend Ignite! helped organise TWO Fun Palaces!
On the Saturday we worked with the Nottingham City Libraries Service to create a Fun Palace at the Dales Centre in Sneinton. We took down lots of science busking kit to show families how they can do science at home with everyday objects and brought along some microscopes from the Royal Microscopical Society to encourage people to take a fresh look at the world around them. We were joined by staff from the SEND project, who brought along some absolutely brilliant activities! Firstly a space grafitti workshop, using shapes and spray cans to create an intergalactic art, and a LEAP motion machine, where you use your fingers as the controller to interact with audiovisual environments in some really creative and imaginative games. Playworks also ran a workshop creating instruments from recycled materials and there was a Curiosity Corner, where children could use their researching skills to use books find out the answers to some really curious questions. The local Crotchet Club also came along to share their skills and show novices and experts alike how to craft some really imaginative objects. All the activities were supported by enthusiastic volunteers and fab library staff!
On Sunday, we ran another Fun Palace as part of the Hockley Hustle festival's Young Hustlers programme for children and families. We were supported by some brilliant STEM Ambassadors in taking science busking out onto the streets of Hockley, making passers by wonder about how their brains work and what questions they'd really like to ask a scientist. Then down in Cobden Chambers we engaged people with the science busking tricks and encouraged them to use the microscopes to look at the natural world and reflect through drawing. This was part of a programme of activities for the Young Hustlers which included songwriting and poetry writing sessions, drumming workshops, craft activities and so much more!
We had such great feedback from participants at both venues and had a brilliant time running these activities as part of Fun Palaces. Thanks to all involved and we're looking forward to next year already!