The University drew its biggest ever crowd for its annual Science and Engineering Festival which took place on Saturday 12 March.

Held as part of British Science Week, the event aimed to educate and inspire people with our science and engineering research, which impacts a huge range of areas worldwide.

Now in its 14th year, the free event attracted 6,000 people to the University’s Highfield Campus.

Attendees learnt about how science shapes our world through the 100 talks, tours and activities taking place, covering subjects such as manufacturing, infrastructure and sustainable energy.

Visitors also discovered how the University’s RJ Mitchell Wind Tunnel was used in testing by Britain’s Olympic athletes ahead of their 2012 Gold medal success, and how our fibre-drawing towers produce the optical fibres that power the Internet.

Professor William Powrie, Dean of Engineering and the Environment and member of the Festival organising committee, said:

The University is changing the world for the better through its world-leading research and teaching in science and engineering. I really hope that these events spark enthusiasm and help to encourage many of the young people visiting to choose science or engineering as a career.

The next Southampton Science and Engineering Festival will take place on Saturday 18 March, 2017.