University brings research alive for children
Release Date 18 July 2011
Local children can learn more about Greek gods, participate in creative writing classes and hear about gruesome burials at a special event to be held by the University of Reading.
In collaboration with the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading Museum and Reading Abbey, a programme of activities for junior children and sixth-formers has been put together to mark Researchers' Night - a Europe-wide event bringing together the public and researchers once a year to celebrate research and show how it impacts on people's lives. It is funded by the EU. At Reading the theme is 'Language, text and power' - one of its multi-disciplinary research strengths in arts and humanities.
The University wants to hear from schools who would like to book a group onto one of the events available on Friday, September 23.
At Reading Museum from 1-2pm, Professor Lindy Grant will talk about the more grotesque burials of kings and queens. From 1-2.30pm the Museum of English Rural Life will be encouraging pupils to tell tales when Dr Neil Cocks, runs a creative writing workshop exploring what it means to be a child. From 2-3.30pm students will be able to participate in workshops, follow trails and hear stories based on the theme of Greek gods.
The same afternoon, sixth-formers can attend a workshop on verbatim theatre with Professor Lib Taylor, in which a performance is based on the words of real people.
Schools interested in finding out more or to make a booking should contact Tayma Cannon on 0118 378 4313 or email researchersnight@reading.ac.uk
There will also be a series of events for the public to attend free of charge. Details can be found at http://www.cms.rdg.ac.uk/researchers-night/rn-home.aspx