THE Isle of Wight’s Noel Turner Physics Festival is back and bigger than ever, thanks to an exciting new partnership with Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium (WSCP).

The festival, which has inspired and engaged Isle of Wight schoolchildren in physics for the past three years, is expected to welcome more than 3,000 children over two days.

Winchester Science Centre is calling for support from the STEM industry within the region to support the event, which is set to take place on February 6 and 7.

“We’re very excited to be working on the Isle of Wight to deliver next year’s festival, and are hugely grateful for the continued support of the festival host, Cowes Enterprise College, sponsor BAE Systems and the festival committee,” said Ben Ward, WSCP chief executive.

“Our charity is committed to engaging as many children as possible in STEM, and the festival provides an excellent opportunity to do this on the Isle of Wight.”

The festival, which will have more activities on offer and has been renamed the Noel Turner Science Festival, is aiming to raise aspirations and interest in all aspects of science, technology, engineering and maths.

The WSCP team will bring a new dimension to the festival with a pop-up version of its popular science centre experience, complete with live science shows, demonstrations and hands-on exhibits and activities.

Set up by a local steering group to commemorate the life of Island resident, Noel Turner, a senior radar design engineer with BAE Systems, the festival is supported by Noel Turner’s widow, Ellen Weeks.

“The festival is a fabulous event, and Noel would have been delighted that it engages so many young people across the Island," said Ellen.

"We aim to make it even bigger and better than before.”

To find out more, contact the festival event officer at Winchester Science Centre by calling 01962 863 791, or emailing ntsf@winchestersciencecentre.org