Get inspired at Be Curious 2024
Be Curious, the annual University of Leeds family open day, is back for 2024.
On Saturday 18 May from 10am–4pm, the University will be open to the public for a day of free interactive and family-friendly activities on subjects ranging from Artificial Intelligence to fossils and medicine to volcanoes.
Professor Hai-Sui Yu, University of Leeds Interim Vice-Chancellor and President, said: “Be Curious is an annual highlight for our University when we throw open the doors to the public for a day.
“Be Curious offers everyone a chance to learn more about the great teaching and research we do at the University of Leeds, while giving young people the chance to learn new skills and be creative.
“We are committed to engaging with our communities across the city and region and hope to inspire the next generation of researchers.”
This year, a quiet hour has been introduced for visitors who prefer a calmer environment. Between 10am–11am, the number of visitors will be limited to allow movement around campus at their own pace.
Dr Alexa Ruppertsberg, Head of Public Engagement with Research, said: “We want all children in Leeds and beyond to have the chance to get hands-on with the research that happens here at the University. It is a fantastic opportunity for the public to see how our research is revealing life-changing discoveries.”
Activity highlights
Researchers from the Faculty of Environment at Be Curious include:
- Dr C Scott Watson sharing the fascinating world of earthquakes and volcanoes
- Catherine Homoky with the Yorkshire and Humber Climate Commission creating pictures of a nature and climate-friendly future
- Dr Robin Hayward showing how trees and forests grow from seeds.
They will host interactive stalls alongside many other researchers of the arts, health, literacy and science. These include:
- Making jellyfish from recycled materials with Immortal Bloom
- Transforming an old piano with Dr Scott McLaughlin and Pianodrome
- The Great Big Dialect Trail with the Dialect and Heritage Project.
Visitors will also get the opportunity to learn about Leeds legend John Smeaton – the UK’s first civil engineer. Researchers will demonstrate how Smeaton’s ideas are still important, 300 years after he was around, as a part of the Smeaton300 programme.
We are committed to engaging with our communities across the city and region and hope to inspire the next generation of researchers.
This year there will also be a space specially curated by Leeds Youth Council, where research topics that are important to the youth council and children across the city will be showcased. The research dives into the future while exploring the past, to figure out what we can do right now to make the world better for the younger generation.
Be Curious has worked closely with Child Friendly Leeds and the programme will be shared with communities across the city. Child Friendly Leeds brings everyone together to make Leeds a child-friendly city.
To book your free tickets and view the full line-up of events visit the Be Curious website.
Further information
For more information, please contact Corporate Communications Officer Rebecca Hurrey at r.hurrey@leeds.ac.uk in the University of Leeds Press Office.
All tickets are free, including general admission tickets and quiet hour tickets.
Picture credit: Simon and Simon Photography.
