Cardiff School of Pharmacy coordinates inspiring science activities at this year’s National Eisteddfod of Wales

Visitors to this year’s National Eisteddfod of Wales are in for a sea-sational treat as a range of inspiring, family-friendly ‘Science of the Sea’ activities await them at the Science Village in Cardiff Bay from 4th to 11th August.

Eisteddfod goers will be able to see the longest living animal on earth and find out how scientists are attempting to use its relative from Pembroke Dock to make new tissues for healing wounds. Plus they’ll discover how sea creatures light up the world and provide us with medicines to kill viruses and cancer cells.

Led by Cardiff University School of Pharmacy’s Professor Arwyn Jones, a team of 50 people are planning the fun, interactive ‘Engage in Science’ activities which will captivate visitors and highlight the marine research carried out at Cardiff University, as well as the diverse wildlife found in Cardiff Bay.

As part of this exciting plan, Cardiff University will be operating a research vessel and researchers are turning RV Guiding Light into a floating laboratory to allow people to learn about the marine environment and how it is being studied at Cardiff University.

In addition, this year the University is sponsoring the Science and Technology Village on the Maes. Visitors to the science village can learn about marine life and the secrets of our salt marshes from University experts, as part of Wales’s 2018 Year of the Sea, to highlight the country’s outstanding coastline. Here some unwelcome marine guests can be seen and guests can learn how researchers are trying to understand them and stop the damage they are causing

An Eisteddfod highlight is set to be the exciting Carnifal y Môr (Carnival of the Sea) which starts at 22:30 on Saturday evening 4th August. The community carnival will celebrate the Eisteddfod’s arrival in the city and Welsh links to culture around the world.  It will also explore how a molecule from a fluorescent jellyfish changed our understanding of life.

Butetown Carnival costume makers are working with artist Megan Broadmeadow to make illuminated carnival costumes inspired by an ongoing community collaboration with scientists at the University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The University researchers have shown carnival makers images of a fluorescent protein found in jellyfish that revolutionised our microscopic world. Remarkably, the protein can be used to literally light up research into cell activity in the battle against diseases such as cancer.

So come along to Cardiff Bay between 4th and 11th August to join in the fun, meet our staff and try our hands-on science activities.