13 – 14 May 2016. £30 full price / £25 concessions
Coinciding with the Ingenious and Fearless Companions exhibition (an exhibition funded in part through the University’s Public Engagement with Research Committee), BOM is delighted to present the first Space Biohack, bringing together artists, scientists and enthusiasts with members of the High Altitude Bioprospecting team and astrobiologists from NASA.
This event creatively explores how research with astrobiology is contributing to novel biotechnologies and addressing gender preconceptions in the history of space exploration.
Work with the High Altitude Bioprospecting science-art team to plan the next phase of the HAB’s mission. Take part in hands-on making with 3D printers, robotics, rocket science and DNA analysis and learn how to sample for bacteria and other living organisms in extreme environments.
Witness a live ‘robot autopsy’ by internationally acclaimed performance artist Kira O’Reilly and the HAB team, and hear from a distinguished panel of experts in astrobiology, including Dr. Lynn Rothschild, an evolutionary biologist from NASA Ames Research Center, and Space Gynecologist Dr. Varsha Jain whose research examines menstrual suppression and the risks of blood clots in space.
This is an essential event for anyone interested in working creatively with curiosity-driven science, and those wanting to contribute to the future development of the High Altitude Bioprospecting project.
Suitable for adults and over 14s.
Tickets must be booked in advance. To secure a place please click here.
Schedule:
Friday 13th May
17:00: Ingenious and Fearless Companions Exhibition Tour by Louise Latter, BOM’s Head of Programme
19:00 Live Robot Autopsy performance by Kira O’Reilly
Saturday 14th May
9.30- 10am: Registration, tea and coffee
10am: Welcome, Karen Newman, Director of BOM
10:05 – 10:30 High Altitude Bioprospecting Team in conversation (biochemist Melissa Grant, lab robotics scientist Oliver de Peyer, mathematician Paul Shepherd and artists Anna Dumitriu, Kira O’Reilly and Alex May) moderated by Louise Latter, Head of Programme at BOM
10:30 – 11:00 Keynote, Lynn Rothschild (astrobiologist, NASA Ames research Center)
11:00 – 11:30 Keynote, Varsha Jain (NASA Space Gynecologist)
11.30 – 11.45: Break
11:45 – 12:00 Bento Lab Demo: Philip Boeing, co-founder of the new Bento Lab presents the beta version of the first complete portable DNA laboratory
12:00 – 12:15: Setting design challenges: The HAB team and speakers present key challenges for group planning and prototyping and introduce demo activities
12:15 – 13:00: Lunch (participants are asked to bring their own lunch)
13:00 – 18:00 Open Making: We will have a number of 3D printers, tools and materials to work with but please bring any items you are particularly keen to use. There will be demo’s on 3D printing, robotics, rocket science, DNA analysis and how to sample for bacteria and other living organisms in extreme environments.
18:00 – 19:00 Prototype showcase and discussion
