Gaia at Chelmsford Cathedral: 12-30 October 2022

Chelmsford Cathedral is delighted to be hosting Gaia, the immersive art installation of the earth, for the first time in Essex.

Created by artist Luke Jerram, Gaia measures six metres in diameter and was created from 120 dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth's surface. Visitors to Gaia get to see the Earth as if from space; an incredibly beautiful, fragile and precious place. At night the artwork is lit up and accompanied with a specially made surround sound composition by BAFTA award winning Composer Dan Jones. Connected to the Cathedral's mission and achievements as an A Rocha Gold Eco Church Award holder, this awe-inspiring art installation will be complemented with an exciting programme built around two key themes: Environment and Engagement.

How can I be involved?

To help us deliver this exciting project, we are looking for enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers. As a Gaia Volunteer you will meet and greet visitors, share information about the artwork, help direct people through the building and ensure everyone has a great experience encountering Gaia. Each day will be split into morning, afternoon and evening sessions and we hope that volunteers will complete at least three sessions over the course of the installation. All volunteers will receive full training and support from the Cathedral events team.

If you wish to volunteer, please apply by 12th August.

Link to application form: https://forms.gle/yEupkRrWH2kReoxx6

Throughout June and July 2022, ARU hosted a special exhibition showcasing Chelmsford 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, healthcare, 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 told a part of that story, revealing how household names such as Marconi are echoed in the modern age.

Read more: Exhibition celebrates Chelmsford innovation

After two years off due to Covid, the annual CSES Schools' Competition returned on 17 June 2022, now known by its new name "TEXPO" (Schools' Technology Exhibition) as it accompanies our new online competitions and projects.

Numbers were understandably lower this year, but the standard of work on display was incredibly high. Entries were especially impressive given the limitations that we know people have faced over the last couple of years during the pandemic.

Read more: TEXPO 2022

Congratulations to everyone who won an award at the 2022 CSES TEXPO, which took place on Friday 17 June 2022 at Anglia Ruskin University.

Read more: 2022 TEXPO results

Update 3 July: Functionality for online registration is restored. There is still an issue with the generation of links in some automated emails (especially event reminders), which we are continuing to investigate with the software developers. A fix should be in place for the start of the 2022-2023 events programme.

Update 15 July: We have had to migrate the server on an emergency basis to a new facility. Users should notice no change, and everything appears to be working as normal, but please advise if there are any issues.

If you experience any issues using the website, please Contact the Webmaster (technical support) with any relevant screenshots and the exact date/time that the problem occurred.

Thank you for your patience.

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!

TEXPO: Friday 17 June 2022, ARU Chelmsford

CSES welcomes entries to the 2022 TEXPO: Schools’ Technology Exhibition.

Open to Y5-13 | All STE(A)M projects welcome | Show your work to scientists and engineers | Cash prizes to be won

Are you in a STEM club at primary or secondary school? Have you made something fantastic in technology or science lessons or for your coursework? Have you created some great software? Have you been doing interesting technical projects at home? (Or have your students?)

Or do you have some STE(A)M work you'd like to share with others – including real scientists and engineers – such as a poster, report, presentation or video?

If your answer to any of these questions is YES, then exhibit at the annual CSES TEXPO. There is prize money to be won! All STE(A)M projects are very welcome – whether practical or theoretical. The TEXPO now includes a dedicated 'poster session' for science, maths and non-practical projects.

This is also an excellent opportunity to develop your interview and presentation skills, as you explain your project to our judges, many of whom are from local industry. You won't just get professional feedback and tips from real engineers and scientists, you'll also get to talk about careers – this is great exposure and looks good on your CV or university application!

Register online quickly and easily here.

Find out more about TEXPO here.

Centenary Photographic Competition: Controlling the Climate Crisis

Also a reminder that our Centenary Photographic Competition is still open for entries.

Open to anyone living, working or attending education in Essex, our photographic competition explores the key link between the creative arts and STEM. The theme is Controlling the Climate Crisis.

We want you to take photographs that express what you think are the ways in which we are starting to mitigate the climate crisis. So take out your camera or your phone and snap some photos that encapsulate the essence of climate change and the role of science and technology! We will be looking for photos that are creative in their approach, with an innovative angle on the subject, or have a creative interpretation of the themes.

Enter online quickly and easily here.

Find out more about the competition here.

The entry deadline for both competitions is Friday 10 June 2022.

Read more: TEXPO 2022 and Photo Competition – ONE WEEK left to enter!

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.

Book your FREE slot via Eventbrite.