Mansfield District Council is helping to support a countywide festival that aims to inspire youngsters to take an interest in science.

The sixth Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity runs from 8 February to 17 February and would normally run in various locations around the city.

This year, due to the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions, the festival will be held virtually and beamed via social media and local TV across the city and county, supported by a Festival magazine to be distributed free.

The Mayor of Mansfield, Andy Abrahams, said: “This festival is a brilliant initiative and the council is proud to be supporting it to bring science to life in a way that we hope will fire the imaginations of local children in living rooms, kitchens and backyards around the district.

“The whole family can take part – there is something for all ages – so look out for more details about how to be involved on the council’s Facebook page in the days to come.”

The festival is organised by Ignite!, a Nottingham-based charity, which works with schools, youth groups and communities, to develop children’s curiosity in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects in a creative and fun way.

It will be collaborating with the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society to run a virtual Open Dome event and local schools, too.

Pupils in Mansfield will be able to link up with scientists to do their own investigations, and there will be careers Q and A sessions with scientists live on YouTube.

Among the highlights will be an hour-long programme about nature and wildlife, going out on NottsTV every afternoon at 4pm from Monday 8 February.

Wollaton Watch will see young people and volunteers sharing nature in their neighbourhood across Nottinghamshire, including well-known green spaces in Mansfield, and will feature hedgehogs, deer and even an item on ‘left-handed’ snails.

Also available across the city and county is the Festival magazine packed full of family-friendly articles and activities, with the key message that science is part of our everyday lives. Festival organisers are working with Mansfield partners to distribute these to local families.

Megan Shore, festival producer, said: “It’s been so important to us to still be able to run the festival this year, although of course we’ve needed to adapt in lots of ways.

“We want to help everyone in Nottinghamshire to celebrate their curiosity, continue to ask questions about the world around us, and take part in the world of STEM at our fingertips.”

See the festival website at nottsfosac.co.uk for full details and follow the festival on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and TikTok @NottsFOSAC #CuriousNotts and on the council Facebook page, @mymansfielduk.