A Day of Discovery

Our visit to the Cheltenham Science Festival was a whirlwind of learning, creativity, and hands-on fun. Gabriel and I spent the day exploring workshops, tents, and exhibits, diving into the wonders of science and engineering in ways that were as entertaining as they were educational.

Morning Workshop: Crafting a Balancing Bird

Our day began with a workshop where Gabriel got to roll up his sleeves and get creative. Amongst several fun projects, one of the highlights was making a balancing bird out of cardboard and a penny. With careful instructions, Gabriel shaped and decorated his bird, attaching the penny in just the right spot to create perfect balance. Watching him carefully test his creation, adjusting it until it perched effortlessly on his finger, was a delight. It was such a simple yet clever way to demonstrate physics in action.

Exploring the Science Tents

After lunch, we ventured into the festival’s many science tents. One of the standout activities for Gabriel was assembling an airplane’s undercarriage for landing. First, he worked with a 3D model, piecing together the landing gear and learning about the mechanics involved in ensuring a smooth touchdown. Then, he donned a VR headset, where he got to “virtually” assemble and test the undercarriage in a simulated environment. Seeing the engineering come to life in such an immersive way was an exciting experience for him—and for me too!

A Day Full of Wonder

The festival offered so much more than we could fit into one day, but we left feeling inspired and buzzing with ideas. Gabriel’s balancing bird has found a place of pride at home, and he hasn’t stopped talking about the airplane engineering activity.

Cheltenham Science Festival reminded us that science isn’t just about facts and figures—it’s about curiosity, creativity, and the joy of exploring how the world works. We can’t wait to return next year for even more discoveries!