Family events & activities
Giant Darwin puppets, zoo trails and art competitions are just a few of the activities for families during Darwin 200, a national programme of events celebrating Darwin’s ideas, their impact and influence around his two hundredth anniversary in 2009.
Throughout England
Beginning with Blobs
Autumn 2009
Kazzum Touring show
Kazzum, a theatre company for children’s productions are producing a touring show for 4–8 year olds to introduce young audiences to Darwin’s theory of evolution. Beginning with blobs explores Darwin's theory of evolution through clay and play and will follow the evolutionary paths of three imaginary creatures.
Tree Planting Dedicated to Darwin
2009
Around Down House, Woodland Trust
Tree planting dedicated to Darwin’s life and work as part of the Woodland Trust’s Trees
for All campaign.
Evolution Megalab
April 2009
The Open University
A Europe-wide mass experiment asking people to record observations online about banded snails in their gardens or parks. It offers everyone the chance to do real science and to experience the excitement of discovery for themselves. All the observations can be compared online against historical data, enabling participants to test for evolutionary change in response to climate warming and changes in predation pressure over the last 80 years. The results will be fed-back to users in real time. This project is supported by the Royal Society and the British Council.
South West
Evolution Rocks! Uncoiling the Past – Lyme Regis Fossil Festival
22 – 24 May 2009
Lyme Regis, Dorset
Discover remarkable remains and learn more about evolution in the rocks with Natural History Museum experts. Throughout the two-day festival, children, young adults, students and amateur palaeontologists will be able to join in a range of events to discover the secrets held by fossils.
Bristol Festival of Nature
6 – 7 June 2009
Bristol waterfront
Explore the marvels and mysteries of the natural world through animal encounters, science experiments, solar observation and hands-on activities at the UK's biggest celebration of the natural world, including a large interactive area linked to Darwin and evolution.
London
Exploring and Investigating
Summer 2009
Horniman Museum, London
Charles Darwin’s career was founded on his childhood fascination with the plants and animals on his own doorstep – a fascination which later took him around the world. Darwin’s spirit of exploration and investigation will be the basis for a programme of schools activities and talks for all key stages, using the Horniman’s galleries, gardens and On Your Doorstep Lab which is opening in 2009.
The History of Life on Earth. In 90 minutes. For children
2009
Polka Theatre, Wimbledon, London
New production about Darwin by international, award-winning director and writer Mick Gordon. Suitable for explaining and bringing to life Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection for children aged nine and over.
Heart of England
R volution – Severn Project 2009
Autumn 2009
Shropshire and Worcestershire
A nine-metre interactive puppet of Charles Darwin and his Cabinet of Species will be among the creations in this magical evolutionary fairground. A team of specially commissioned street artists will work with leading scientists in this unique collaboration between the arts and science. They will create a large-scale outdoor spectacular with sideshows, music, dance and installations combining elements of a Victorian exhibition, a funfair, Jurassic Park, the Garden of Eden and Conan Doyle’s Lost World.
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