Viral pandemics occur periodically and impact the population to differing degrees. This current pandemic is caused by a coronavirus, somewhat unexpected as most pandemic planning was based on the emergence of a new strain of influenza. What are the main differences between influenza and coronaviruses? What parallels actually can be drawn between the two viruses?

Come on a retrospective journey through a turbulent year in virology, to see the first hand challenges and the lessons learned from the frontline.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/musings-from-a-virologist-in-a-pandemic-tickets-139933106689

This is an online event

All living organisms contain molecules called DNA. DNA is what makes you you. DNA is what makes a banana a banana. DNA contains instructions in small segments called genes. Differences in genes are responsible for differences in hair colour, eye colour, and those differences are what make you a human and not a banana!

Have you ever wondered what DNA looks like? Well, together, we can extract DNA from fruits to see what it looks like and even touch it! Only common household products are needed. Come along and extract DNA together!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/137135643401

This is an online event

The question of life's origin is one of the most perplexing in science. It is about why we are here as a species, our relationship to the universe, and whether there is life on other planets.

Yet despite the question's significance, there was little research into the origin of life before the 1950s. Then a young scientist named Stanley Miller performed a now-legendary experiment that seemed to show how the building blocks of life could have formed spontaneously on the newly-formed Earth. This kick-started research into the mystery.

Almost 70 years later, we still do not have a complete explanation for how life began. But in the last two decades, a series of startling experiments have pointed the way towards a possible explanation.

Michael Marshall, author of The Genesis Quest, tells the story of the scientists who have wrestled with the question of life's origin.

You can purchase a signed copy of Michael’s book here: https://www.griffinbooksonline.co.uk/products/9781474611411?_pos=1&_sid=f4ec09495&_ss=r

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/137135761755

This is an online event

Have you ever tried to hula hoop? How do you stop it from falling? We put a professional hula hooper into a biomechanics lab and connected them up so that we could track their movement and muscle activation. Join us to find out what we found out and how it could help you learn some new tricks with a hoop.

This interactive online session is suitable for 7-11yrs old and families.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-secret-science-of-hula-hooping-tickets-138042192915

This is an online event

Are you interested in endangered species?

Would you like to take part in a fun, fact-filled hour of learning and activities? Would you like to help design a ‘Virtual Ark’ for animals facing extinction?

On the 19th February, The Frozen Ark will join forces with award winning artist Paul Evans to present an exciting live creative workshop. Suitable for all ages from 6+, and all creative abilities, you will model your favourite creature to join other animals in the Ark, and gain tips on how to design the Ark itself for development into a VR (Virtual Reality) experience.

We are able to offer up to 20 FREE modelling packs (limit of 2 packs per household). These include 250g of modelling material (enough for 2 x animal models), 1 x modelling tool, a Friend of the Ark sticker and general information about The Frozen Ark.

Who should attend?

• Anyone with an interest in wild animals and conservation

Why attend?

• It will be fun – and suitable for all ages from 6+

• It will help us develop a Virtual Reality Ark to help spread word about our work in preserving the future of endangered species

• You will learn some interesting facts about the favourite animals of the Frozen Ark Team

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/a-virtual-ark-creative-family-workshop-tickets-137263656291

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This project is being funded by The Wellcome Trust ISSF3 Public Engagement Proof-of-Concept Award. #ARKS21stCentury

This is an online event

Join us for a friendly virtual grow-along and become part of a community of back garden growers across Cardiff and beyond!

Spring is fast approaching and it's time to start preparing for the new growing season so let's get together and learn some new skills. In this virtual session we’ll be exploring our soil and what we need to provide our plants with for the best start in life, as well as tips to start and maintain your own compost or wormery.

We’ll be joined by some of our project partners from the Edible Cardiff network and local community growers to share their skills and experience as well as tell us about local growing projects coming up this year. This will be a fun opportunity to pick up new skills, share tips and connect the growing community. Whether you are brand new to growing or have lots of experience we’d love you to join us.

You can choose a free ticket, make a donation or even choose to be sent some seeds in the post to get your growing season started!

This will be a friendly and fun opportunity to pick up new skills and connect the growing community across Cardiff and beyond. Whether you are brand new to growing or have lots of experience we’d love you to join us.

Register here: https://green-city-events.eventcube.io/events/27943/virtual-grow-along-tyfu-ar-y-cyd-ar-lein

This is an online event

Find out how Cardiff University's medicines discovery scientists uncover new therapies through a series of fun at-home activities.

Get a family-friendly insight into the world of drug discovery! Join us as we take you around the inside of Cardiff University’s Medicines Discovery Institute, where you will learn what goes into making the medicines of the future. Take part in our live demonstrations and a ‘Talk to a Scientist’ session, where you can ask any questions you have about finding new medicines or becoming a scientist.

We welcome all guests to this event, but this is focused mostly towards GCSE and A-Level pupils.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/how-do-we-discover-medicines-tickets-137607266037

This is an online event

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/trees-im-stumped-boncyffion-o-fri-tickets-137921457793?utm_campaign=post_publish&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eventbrite&utm_content=shortLinkNewEmail

Join me to take a closer look at some of the fascinating and awesome tree stumps that I have found in Bute Park and in the local area where I live.

Sign up for this session by 12th Feb and we will send you a free magnifying glass of your own and a tree slice to study.

In this virtual session we will examine tree stump photo taken in Cardiff Parks - you can use the new magnifying glass too. This will be a fun and enjoyable session for all the family.

During the session we will ask the questions:

- Take a look at the tree stump, what do you see?

- Do you think the tree grow again?

- Who lives in and around the tree stump?

- How old was the tree when it was cut down?

- Is there fungi living on the stump? Is there lichen?

After the session:

When you are in your garden next, walking along the street or in the local park, see if you can find a tree stump to study and investigate.

Send me your photos, drawing and thoughts to butepark@cardiff.gov.uk

Joining instructions:

Sign up for your free place via Eventbrite

Email butepark@cardiff.gov.uk by Friday 12th February so we can post out your pack in time for the session

We will just need your ticket number, name and address

1 pack per household

We will send you an email the week prior to the event with all the info you need to join us live. We will begin the session with a quick introduction to using zoom so that you feel comfortable taking part and asking questions.

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Boncyffion o fri!

Ymunwch â fi i edrych yn fanylach ar rai o'r boncyffion coed diddorol ac anhygoel rydw i wedi dod ar eu traws ym Mharc Bute ac yn yr ardal leol lle rwy'n byw.

Cofrestrwch ar gyfer y sesiwn hon erbyn 12 Chwefror a byddwn yn anfon chwyddwydr am ddim i chi a rhan o goeden i’w hastudio.

Yn y sesiwn rithiol hon byddwn yn archwilio'r llun o foncyff a dynnwyd ym Mharciau Caerdydd - gallwch ddefnyddio'r chwyddwydr newydd hefyd. Bydd hon yn sesiwn hwyliog a phleserus i'r teulu cyfan.

Yn ystod y sesiwn byddwn holi’r canlynol:

- Edrychwch ar y boncyff, beth ydych chi'n ei weld?

- Ydych chi'n credu y bydd y goeden yn tyfu eto?

- Pwy sy'n byw yn y boncyff ac o'i amgylch?

- Faint oedd oed y goeden pan gafodd ei chwympo?

- A oes ffyngau'n byw ar y boncyff? A oes cennau?

Ar ôl y sesiwn:

Pan fyddwch yn eich gardd nesaf, yn cerdded ar hyd y stryd neu yn y parc lleol, edrychwch i weld a allwch ddod o hyd i foncyff i'w astudio a'i ymchwilio.

Anfonwch eich lluniau, eich darluniau a’ch sylwadau ataf i butepark@cardiff.gov.uk

Cyfarwyddiadau Ymuno:

Cadwch eich lle am ddim drwy Eventbrite

E-bostiwch parcbute@caerdydd.gov.uk erbyn dydd Gwener 12 Chwefror fel y

gallwn bostio eich pecyn mewn pryd ar gyfer y sesiwn

Bydd angen eich rhif tocyn, eich enw a'ch cyfeiriad arnom

1 pecyn fesul cartref

Byddwn yn anfon e-bost atoch yr wythnos cyn y digwyddiad gyda'r holl

wybodaeth sydd ei hangen arnoch i ymuno â ni'n fyw. Byddwn yn dechrau'r

sesiwn gyda chyflwyniad cyflym i ddefnyddio Zoom er mwyn gwneud yn siŵr

eich bod chi’n teimlo'n gyfforddus yn cymryd rhan a holi cwestiynau.

This is an online event

Get involved in research with the Pharmabees team! With your help we will be developing a new system to track and monitor bee populations.

Bees and other pollinators play an essential role in supporting the plants on which life on earth depends. For a variety of reasons bee numbers and diversity are in decline. To help us determine the extent of the problem we developed the Spotabee project in which members of the public record bees sightings in their local area using a mobile phone. Since it launch in May of 2020 the site has received over 6000 images and we are keen to add to these in the coming year. While the level of engaging is encouraging a significant number of the bee images have yet to be identified to the species level. By participating in this workshop you will find out more about the vital work the university is undertaking to save the bees and will be shown how to help us give a name to these unknown bees.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cardiff-science-festival-giving-unknown-bees-a-name-tickets-137911319469

Ever wondered how your eyes work or what the most common eye colour in the world is? Does eating carrots really help improve our eyesight? Attend our event filled with fun facts and optical illusions to help find out the answers to these cool eye-related questions and many more!

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/more-than-meets-the-eye-tickets-138757865511

Like to find out about genomics & health? Affected by a rare/genetic condition? Join us for our first Virtual Genomics Café for young people

Are you a young person interested in finding out more about genomics and health, or affected by a rare or genetic condition? Join us for Young People’s Genomics Café! These events are aimed at those aged 16 to 25 and are run by Wales Gene Park with Genomics Partnership Wales. At February’s café we have two great talks lined-up!

• Ethical Dilemmas in Genetics and Genomics - Dr Alexandra Murray (All Wales Medical Genomics Service) will pose some though-provoking medical genetics & genomics scenarios, including testing, consent, incidental findings, and other ethical issues

• V for Vaccination: from Cowpox to Covid - join Dr David Llewellyn (Integrated Wellbeing Networks, Aneurin Bevan UHB) to learn about the social history of vaccination with a discussion on what it means now for Covid

The café is a relaxed opportunity to find out about new advances in genomic medicine in Wales and a chance for young people to meet, come together, and let us know how we can better support those affected by rare or genetic conditions. The cafe is FREE to join via Zoom, but you will need to register via Eventbrite to receive the joining link.

Further information email walesgenepark@cardiff.ac.uk

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/young-peoples-virtual-genomics-cafe-tickets-136938222911