Sunday 11th February was Women and Girls in Science Day. I celebrated the vital work being done by female scientists that is contributing to the fight against malaria and other diseases.

On Monday this week, I visited Clifton Library to see one of the Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity events in action and get hands on with science.

Every day is a school day – it turns out I’m 75% fruit fly! (i.e. we share 75% of our DNA) and researchers at Nottingham  Trent University use fruit flies (which only live a few days) to investigate diseases and test drugs to treat them.

There was more science fun with researchers from a joint project between the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent Uni into the impact of diet on health, with budding young scientists testing for Vitamin C.

I joined a mind-blowing experiment into sound and hearing using string and everyday objects (a wire cooling rack and a slinky). This was a proper moment – genuine awe and wonder.

And there was more – fun experiments to explain brain function, a look at fluorescent bacteria and meeting the plant scientists from the University of Nottingham Sutton Bonnington campus. A great half term activity and Clifton Library was buzzing! Thank you to all the volunteers at the festival!