On Friday August 23rd, the childhood home of Sir Isaac Newton, Grantham’s Woolsthorpe Manor, will play host to British space scientist, educator and icon, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock for a one-off family event as part of the property’s ‘Summer of Discovery’ campaign.
Maggie’s visit coincides with new research from the National Trust, which has revealed more parents think their child dreams of becoming a doctor, or an engineer or a scientist rather than an influencer, dancer, actor, firefighter or Olympian[3] - with science a crucial discipline in 50% of the top ten of children’s dream jobs.[4]
Maggie will join the historic property, where Newton famously had his ‘Year of Wonders’, to inspire the younger generation of thinkers to explore a love of science. Visitors will be treated to a family-friendly talk and Q&A, hosted by Maggie at 11am, before being introduced to the Manor’s ‘Summer of Discovery’ experiment trail and on-site Science Centre.
The interactive ‘Summer of Discovery’ trail, which was launched by astronaut Tim Peake, features a series of hands-on experiments, each inspired by Newton’s own discoveries at the property and beyond. These include a prism-esque Optics Cabin, an air powered Rocket Launch in the meadow, a Telescope, a raft of swinging Newton’s Cradles and an arty Pendulum experiment, all on top of the property’s existing Science Centre activities.
As part of the property’s Summer of Discovery programme, budding scientists will receive an extra special treat with Maggie on-site, as she will be on hand to help explain the science behind the different experiments. Visitors will also be able to go head-to-head with the Dame herself in a ‘Challenge Maggie’ air-powered rocket competition - just launch your paper rocket further than Maggie to be in with a chance of winning!
The event with Maggie is not ticketed, as all visitors to the property will be welcome. However, seats at the talk and Q&A (starting at 11am) will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Emma Michalak, Operations Manager at National Trust’s Woolsthorpe Manor commented: “It is our absolute pleasure to welcome the iconic Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock to Woolsthorpe Manor. She is truly a national treasure and such a positive science educator for young people. Our property is all about using the legacy of Sir Isaac Newton to introduce the world of science to the younger generation, so having Maggie join us during the Summer of Discovery is the perfect fit. Our experiment trail is a chance for kids to get hands-on with experiments inspired by Newton’s story and what he achieved here during his own formative years. It can be easy to think of Newton as a grey haired old man but as a child here he was naughty, his mother despaired of him and he wasn’t top of the class. It was his curiosity to explain why the world and universe works the way it does that saw him make such huge breakthroughs.”
Newton famously had his ‘Year of Wonders’ at Woolsthorpe Manor. Forced to return to his childhood home from university during a pandemic in 1665, Newton used the time and space away from his everyday life to explore things he was relentlessly intrigued about. As a result, he made world-changing discoveries about calculus, optics, motion and gravity at the property. However, Newton’s drive to explain the world began much earlier, with post mills he etched onto the walls of the property still visible today and stories of him scaring the locals with his candle-lit lanterns floating across the sky…
Speaking ahead of the event, Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, said “It is my honour to step foot on the grounds where Newton inspired so much. I am incredibly thankful to the National Trust for extending me the invitation, as there is nothing closer to my heart than helping the next generation to begin their love for science. Explore, ask questions and be inspired - who knows where science will take you!”
For more information, visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/newtons-summer-of-discovery.
[3] Opinium research conducted for National Trust Children’s Careers research, 13th - 15th August 2024 amongst a nationally-representative sample of 4000 UK adults. Doctor (11%), or an engineer (8%) or a scientist (7%) rather than an influencer (4%), dancer (4%), actor (3%), firefighter (3%) or Olympian (2%).
[4] Opinium research conducted for National Trust Children’s Careers research, 13th - 15th August 2024 amongst a nationally-representative sample of 4000 UK adults. National Top 10 Dream Jobs: 1. Footballer, 2. Doctor, 3. Engineer, 4. Scientist, 5. Teacher, 6. Vet, 7. Artist, 8. Policeman, 9. Influencer, 10. Architect.