Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

 October Half-Term Activities, Monday 21 October – Sunday 3 November 2019

No pedalling, no party! That’s the mantra being repeated at The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester this October Half Term with the launch of a People Powered Party that relies on the enthusiasm and energy of cyclists to get the music pumping and lights flashing. As part of over 30 activities, workshops and shows announced to take place over the two-week school break, families will power their own disco to explore the key principles of eating, energy and exercise.

Six dynamo bikes, suitable for kids, parents and carers of all ages to saddle up on and get spinning, provide the spark that starts the party as the Museum’s centrepiece activity brings nutrition and good health to the fore. As well as the electrifying bikes and disco dancing, the People Powered Party (Wednesday 23 October – Wednesday 30 October) also includes nutrition-based guessing games, trampette energy-burn competitions and healthy plate-building activities to inform and inspire.

Winners of the 2019 Josh Award, presented for the most outstanding, innovative communicators of ideas in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), juggling duo, Ben and Fred a.k.a. Frederike Gerstner and Ben Nicholson also visit during the holidays. A completely FREE, drop-in performance, The Juggling Of Science (Sunday 27 October – Thursday 31 October, 13.00) sees the pair use their ball skills to explain how atomic particles, covalent bonds and even hydrogen fuel cells work, while making young and old giggle and watch in wonder as science is unravelled before their eyes.

While a portion of the museum is under wraps with multi-million-pound renovation works taking place around the much-loved Power Hall, there is still plenty on offer across the rest of the site with activities spanning all age ranges.

For children aged 8+, more technical workshops include getting under the skin of artist, Olafur Eliasson’s revolutionary, solar-powered Sun Lamp (Monday 28 October – Sunday 3 November) which aims to stir and enhance technical knowledge. Under-5s are invited to daily Mini Movers activities (11.00 and 14.30), where energy and the human body are explained in fun and friendly ways.

The full range of events for children, young people and families at The Science and Industry Museum during Half Term can be explored at https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk with booking details provided where applicable.

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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