OTLEY Science Festival: the week-long celebration of science will bring new ideas and nationally-regarded names to the town this month (November 14th-19th).

This year is the 14th year of Otley Science Festival. It was started in 2008 by two of Otley Courthouse’s trustees, as well as ex-One Show regular and Otley’s resident science bloke, Marty Jopson.

The week-long festival at Otley Courthouse shines a light on new perspectives and new ways of thinking. There are talks, a quiz and a free fair to increase awareness and widen participation in science, especially in young people, so they can pursue their own scientific careers and adventures.

How does gene-editing technology work? What is the maths behind a karate chop? How has geology warned us about climate change? By inviting nationally regarded speakers and guests to share their theories, experiences and discoveries, Otley Science Festival audiences can learn from the experts and have fun while they’re doing it.

Hazel Costello, member of the Otley Science Festival Committee said: "Otley Science Festival is about bringing science alive and making it accessible for everyone. Whether it’s for toddlers or pensioners, we’re glad to be returning to a full programme for this year’s festival. From geology, to DNA, to a history of weather from BBC Radio Leeds’ Paul Hudson, we’ve got a variety of speakers and topics that can show why this festival grows year after year. We can’t wait to see you all there."

What’s On

Early Explorers: A science special for the under-fives, Nov 14, start time: 10.30am-12pm. Ticket price: children £4, adults free.

Science Quiz with Supper: Nov 14, 6pm-7pm. Ticket price: £10 with food, £6 without food.

Prof Chris Jackson - The Geological Record of Climate Change, Nov 15, 7.30pm, ticket price £10.

Science Festival Café, Nov 16, 7.30pm, tickets £6, under-18s free. Speakers for the all-women line-up will be: Dr Liz Duncan, School of Biology, University of Leeds – The Buzz about Bees; Dr Tamara Fletcher, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds – Cloudy, with a chance it rained; Dr Gisela Helfer, School of Chemistry and Biosciences, University of Bradford – Why do we gain weight? It’s all in your brain!

Marty Jopson: Stunt Science is on November 17 at 7.30pm. Ticket price: £11 adult, £9 child, £35 family (any group of 4).

Kersten Hall - Florence Bell: The Forgotten Heroine of DNA is on Nov 18 at 2pm, tickets £6.

Matthew Cobb - The Genetic Age: Our Perilous Quest to Edit Life is on Nov 18, 7.30pm, tickets £10.

The Science Fair with stalls and demonstrations is on Nov 19 10am to 4pm, entry free.

Paul Hudson - The History of Weather is on Nov 18 at 8pm, tickets £16.

For tickets visit www.otleycourthouse.org.uk or call the box office on 01943 467466.