This mind-blowing science festival is coming to Manchester for the very first time

New Scientist Live is coming to Manchester Central next month – and it promises to be an exhilarating and inspiring day out for anyone curious about science and the world we live in.

From the latest technologies, innovations and discoveries, it’s a chance to let your inner scientist out and ask all your burning questions, take part in creative workshops, and experience science like never before. 

It will be the first time New Scientist Live has come to Manchester, a world-class hub of scientific and technological learning, research, innovation and industry.

Over 9,000 visitors, 40 speakers and 30 exhibitors are expected at the event, alongside a global audience of 5,000 online, with the first two days, a Saturday and Sunday, open to all, and the final day, Monday, dedicated to schools and home learners. 

Plus the Engage Stage, included in show floor tickets, will get you close-up access to over 20 expert speakers for fireside chats, quizzes and more.

All the talks from the Saturday and Sunday of the event will also be available on-demand for 12 months afterwards, so if you miss any of the talks or just want to relive your favourite moments from the weekend, you can do so at your leisure.

Events to look forward to at New Scientist Live

Could you have survived in the Stone Age? 

If you visit the Ancient Craft zone, you can join Dr James Dilley on a flintknapping workshop to make your own Stone Age tool. 

Stone tool making represents some of the first and longest-lasting technology in the human timeline. But was it really a primitive skill? It’s time to find out.

Or perhaps you’re keen to learn more about cyber and virtual games?

If so, Thales is investing in digital and ‘deep tech’ innovations – so visit their stand to explore these new technologies, from thermal imaging cameras used by the Navy to Turing Tumbling Grids which show how computers work. 

There will also be plenty of cyber and virtual games for you to play, of course.

If you’re interested in gaming in VR, you can head along to an environment themed GameLab for fascinating VR experiences and talks about digital wellness in the face of the impending metaverse.

Or if you’d like to see inside an artificial star, check out UKAEA’s stand to see fusion energy come alive.

You’ll find out how different aspects of fusion come together to create star power – and you’ll also be able to try your hand at building your own fusion machine with their 3D printed tokamak models.

There’s also the chance to examine the future of food and agriculture, and to explore how ultraviolet, infrared and visible light spectra interact with materials – and find out how this information can be used to develop new advanced materials. 

Other exciting events include the chance to explore what living in a ‘quantum city’ might be like, learning about surviving hostile environments, and trying out wearable technology to discover the latest advances in tech for the early detection of dementia.

Ready to discover more? Book your ticket now, and prepare to be inspired, engaged, and have your mind blown.

New Scientist Live will come to Manchester Central on 12th-13th March 2022, with 14th March just for schools. The talks will also be available online.