Following the success of the British Science Festival in September 2021, CSES was back in June 2022 for the Chelmsford Festival, bringing Do and Discover to the city. A new joint initiative between CSES and Chelmsford Festival, Do and Discover is a weekend of fun experimental activities for all the family, taking place across Chelmsford. Working with our partners, we were delighted to put on a packed programme that was widely regarded as a highlight of the festival.
Saturday 25 June saw a family Lego day at ARU organised by Make Happen, alongside the Marconi: Innovation and Beyond exhibition also taking place, with a special thermal imaging demonstration by Leonardo for the festival. On the Sunday, IOP (Institute of Physics) East Anglia Branch held the post-pandemic return of their spectacularly popular PhysicsFest at KEGS. Across both days, CSES were joined in the city centre (Meadows and High Street) by Teledyne e2v, Essex Steamettes, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, the Ideas Hub and ARU to put on a rich display of hands-on experiments, STEAM / craft activities and career opportunities.
From figures obtained at the events, we know that over 700 people and families directly took part in one or more of the activities.
Our thanks to all the organisations and people involved, and we look forward to returning for both the Chelmsford Festival and Chelmsford Science Festival in 2023!
For the whole family
CSES is pleased to announce a packed season of family-friendly activities for Summer 2022, in partnership with Chelmsford Festival, ARU and others.
TEXPO and Photographic Competition still open
Firstly, a reminder that our TEXPO 2022 (17 June) and Centenary Photographic Competition are both still open for entries until Fri 10 June. Please do consider entering these – there are cash prizes available!
Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 June: Do and Discover
During the Chelmsford Festival, join CSES and its partners for a full weekend of FREE hands-on discovery across the city of Chelmsford. Taking place in the high street, at the university and at KEGS, we invite you to Do some experimenting and creating, and Discover the wonders of science, technology and opportunities in Chelmsford.
- Saturday 25 June: FREE Lego Family Challenge at ARU (pre-booking required)
- Sunday 26 June: IOP PhysicsFest at KEGS (pre-booking required)
- Both days: Hands-on activities for all the family in the City Centre (just turn up)
With fun and interesting things to Do and Discover from CSES, ARU, Make Happen, Teledyne e2v / Women@Teledyne, Essex Steamettes, Essex Young Engineers and more, there truly is something for everyone. See our events pages (linked above) for full details. All activities are completely FREE and open to all.
Wednesday 29 June: Café Scientifique
Star Wars revisited... A FREE talk and informal discussion led by Mr Steven Cutts, doctor, writer and familiar face to CSES members.
Café Scientifique is a place where, for the price of a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, anyone can come to explore the latest ideas in science and technology. Steven's talks are always fun, informative and really get the discussion going!
Book your FREE place via our website.
Thursday 9 June: CSES Ask Me Anything (AMA) on Reddit
Following the success of our 2021 Ask Me Anything (AMA) event on Reddit, we will be hosting another one this year. If you are not familiar with the AMA format, it is where notable groups and individuals invite the community to ask them any question, which they will do their best to answer in near real-time. Read our invitation here.
Wednesday 22 June – Friday 15 July: Chelmsford Innovation: Marconi and Beyond
Chelmsford has been a world-renowned centre of scientific and technological innovation for well over 100 years, and still is today. This exhibition at ARU will tell a part of that story, revealing how household names such as Marconi are echoed in the modern age.
The exhibition is free and open to all. There will be fun themed activities for children too, including over Do and Discover weekend on 25 and 26 June with a family day and tours of the campus.
In May 1922, the world's first radio station started in Writtle. Called 2MT ("Two Emma Toc"), this humble – and somewhat experimental – enterprise operating from a small hut ultimately became the BBC as we know it today.
Marconi Company engineers sat in the snug of the old Cock and Bell Inn – now the site of Pakwaan Indian Punjabi Cuisine, Writtle – and planned the first ever scheduled radio broadcasts in the form of concerts to be aired by 2MT. The success of this station, under Captain Peter Eckersley, led directly to the start of the BBC.
Exactly 100 years later, Heritage Writtle put on a season of celebrations for this significant milestone in our history, including a parade, history walks, talks, and a weekend of family activities and exhibitions. As well as presenting at the weekend festivities, CSES held its annual dinner at Pakwaan on 23 May, where an excellent meal and evening was had by all. Guests were also treated to an exclusive walking tour of the significant sites by Tim Wander and Alan Pamphilon.
Tim also presented a commemorative display to the restaurant to record and celebrate the significant history of their premises; you can read more about the story on our website.
We intend to return to our social programme in the 2022/2023 season, with meet-ups on Thursday 13 October and Thursday 15 December.
A special exhibition showcasing innovation from the last 100 years to the present day
Chelmsford has been a world-renowned centre of scientific and technological innovation for well over 100 years, and still is today. Among other things, Chelmsford is home to the world's first wireless (later radio) factory, the world's first river water treatment plant and the world's first colour digital camera – and that's just from within the last century. Today, companies in Chelmsford continue to build the technology of the future, with high-tech developments in fields as diverse as space, medicine, communications and defence. The impact of industry in Chelmsford on all of our lives is incredible.
A collaboration between ARU, CSES, Chelmsford Civic Society and the Marconi Veterans' Association, this exhibition will tell a part of that story, revealing how household names such as Marconi are echoed in the modern age. It will take place in ARU's Marconi building, which was opened by Princess Elettra Marconi Giovanelli, the daughter of Guglielmo Marconi, in 2010, on ARU's Chelmsford campus.
The exhibition will open on Wednesday, 22 June and will run on specific days until Friday, 15 July. Attendees need to book their place – more information and full details of times can be found at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chelmsford-innovation-marconi-and-beyond-tickets-324804377637.
We know that many of our members would like to know when we will be returning to 'in-person' activities. The short answer is: now.
We are delighted to announce three talks (one accompanied by a new book!) and our 2022 annual dinner, all coming up in the next few weeks.
We have several school and family activities planned for summer and then intend to return to a full programme in the autumn (restrictions permitting). Read on for more details...
Wednesday 11 May: The 2023 World Solar Challenge
An exciting free evening talk, to be held at Anglia Ruskin University, with the Cambridge University Eco-Racing Team. Book now via our website.
Tuesday 17 May: The Centenary of British Radio Broadcasting
An illustrated lecture by Tim Wander to be held in Writtle, celebrating 100 years since radio broadcasting first began there. Book now via Eventbrite.
Accompanied by a new, limited edition book – only 300 copies – published in in the centenary year of the 2MT radio station (and the BBC!). Each book signed and numbered by the author – 208 Pages Full Colour A4.
With many new, previously published and colourised photographs (see full article for example).
The complete story of Britain's first regular scheduled radio station that changed the world.
Visit 2mtwrittle100.co.uk to order your copy.
Monday 23 May: The Centenary CSES Curry Evening
Our annual dinner for 2022 takes the form of a celebratory curry at Pakwaan Indian Punjabi Cuisine in Writtle to mark the centenary of radio broadcasting. Book now via our website.
Wednesday 25 May: Soft Robotics
Also at Anglia Ruskin University. Book now via our website.
Looking forward to the summer, we will be holding the CSES TEXPO (formerly the Schools' Engineering and Technology Competition) and announcing the winners of our photographic competition. Both are open now – enter via our website.
We will also be holding a full weekend of fun experimental activities for all the family (Do and Discover) as part of the Chelmsford Festival in June.
Assuming all remains well with Covid restrictions, we expect to return to a full calendar of talks and regular socials in the autumn. We look forward to seeing you there!
Read more: CSES Spring 2022 Programme: Talks, dinner and new book
Monday 23 May 2022, Pakwaan Indian Punjabi Cuisine, Writtle
Click here to book your place(s).
Members and guests are invited to join us to celebrate 100 years since radio broadcasting first began in Writtle.
Did you know that the world's first radio station started in Writtle in 1922? Called 2MT ("Two Emma Toc"), this humble – and somewhat experimental – enterprise operating from a small hut ultimately became the BBC as we know it today.
Exactly 100 years ago, Marconi Company engineers sat in the snug of the old Cock and Bell Inn – now the site of the Pakwaan – and planned the first ever scheduled radio broadcasts in the form of concerts to be aired by 2MT. The success of this station, under Captain Peter Eckersley, led directly to the start of the BBC.
We invite you to join us for a special one-off evening to celebrate this significant milestone. Like those Marconi engineers 100 years ago, this is an opportunity to eat, drink, and maybe even change the world...
5pm – History Walk of significant Writtle sites with historians Alan Pamphilon and Tim Wander (meet in the restaurant car park)
7pm – Dinner followed by speech and presentation of commemorative plaque
Click here to see the menu – 1920s dress encouraged!
The restaurant is all ours for the evening with an excellent set menu with all the trimmings to choose from. The after-dinner speaker will be Writtle 2MT and Marconi historian Tim Wander, and a plaque will be presented to the restaurant owners.
Spaces are limited and must be pre-booked by Monday 16 May. Click here to book.
We look forward to seeing you there! Read on for a little more of the story...
Read more: CSES Curry Evening to celebrate 2MT/BBC Centenary
11–20 March 2022
One of the major aims of our society is to raise awareness about both the achievements and challenges of science, engineering, and all things technological. As we continue to develop our educational activities, we are working to align what we do with both focal points in the local calendar and the national and global picture.
There are many national and international celebrations, some of which are dedicated to areas of science and engineering; these are occasions designed to educate the public on issues of concern, and to help mobilise political will and resources to address national and global problems.
We are co-ordinating some of our activities around selected STEM celebrations, either by simply providing information or by organising specific activities to use these as a springboard for raising awareness.
Please think about volunteering to help CSES contribute to or organise an event next year to celebrate:
British Science Week, 11–20 March
Please contact us if you're interested.
Friday 11 February 2022
One of the major aims of our society is to raise awareness about both the achievements and challenges of science, engineering, and all things technological. As we continue to develop our educational activities, we would we like to ensure that – as far as possible – we link what we do into both the national and global picture.
There are many national and international celebrations, some of which are dedicated to areas of science and engineering; these are occasions designed to educate the public on issues of concern, and to help mobilise political will and resources to address national and global problems.
As we continue to develop our activities, we will try to co-ordinate some of our activities around selected STEM celebrations, either by simply providing information or by organising specific activities to use these as a springboard for raising awareness.
Please think about volunteering to help CSES contribute to or organise an event next year to celebrate:
International Day of Women and Girls in Science, 11 February
Please contact us if you're interested.
Read more: International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2022
First events announced for our upcoming season
We are delighted to announce the launch of our 2021-2022 programme, featuring talks, days out and family-friendly activities. As we emerge from the Covid pandemic, and following the success of the British Science Festival and ARU Family Science Day, we are beginning to return to "in-person" events and hope to resume our social programme in 2022.
Please save the dates for our exciting events for autumn / winter 2021:
- Wed 27 Oct (evening): 150 Years of Science and Technology in Chelmsford, a talk by Prof Robert Iliffe (Professor of the History of Science, University of Oxford). This will be an online event.
- Wed 17 Nov (evening): CSES Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2021. An update on our plans launched last year and a showcase of our recent Spotlight Roundtable on Inclusivity.
- Sun 21 Nov (daytime): Essex State of the Art Technology Exhibition, join us at Hylands House for hands-on science and coding and the latest innovations from local companies.
- Wed 24 Nov (evening): The Role of Nuclear in Net Zero, a talk by CSES, ARU and the Bradwell B project. Our first 'hybrid' event with both in-person and online attendance options, and something we plan to roll out more widely.
- Sat 18 / Sun 19 Dec (daytime): Hands-On Science and Technology at The Art Place. Join us for fun, hands-on science and technology activities for all the family in Chelmsford City Centre. This will be on one or both of these days (TBC).
Note that some details are still to be confirmed; we will update the listings on our website in due course. Please do register your interest in the meantime by booking where appropriate.
Also a reminder that our Centenary Photographic Competition 2021 is still open until 15 October, and our Fresh Air – Fresh Thinking project is kicking off this month. We are still looking for volunteers!
We hope to see you at these events and more in 2022. Stay safe, and thank you for supporting CSES.
On Saturday 11 September 2021, Anglia Ruskin University hosted a family day for the British Science Festival, which was held in Essex for the first time in its 180-year history. This came about through planning for the 2020 CSES Centenary (albeit delayed by a year), which also led to Essex 2020 – A Year of Science and Creativity.
CSES was delighted to host a major stand / attraction at the festival, which saw over 5,000 people attend the ARU Chelmsford campus in one day! With our partners STEM Learning and STEAM Powered Education, and help from STEM Ambassadors, visitors to the CSES 'dome' were treated to an egg drop challenge, paper rockets, an earthquake table and many other fun, hands-on experimental activities for all the family. Over 400 families took part!
- British Science Festival: 7-11 September
- British Science Festival Programme Launched
- The Buildings that Fought Hitler - Featuring Baddow Tower
- Ask Us Anything on Reddit
- CSES Centenary Calendar
- Teaching GCSE Science with Circus Skills
- Essex County Council Laptop Donations
- Arkwright Engineering Scholarships: Celebrating 30 Years
- A Great British Railway Journey... to Sandford Mill?
- Essex Battle of Britain Radar Tower Given Protected Status