Bugs and Beasts made its epic return!

After a fantastic weekend takeover in 2022, Bugs and Beasts returned to Waterloo Park on 1 August 2024 for an epic celebration of nature, biodiversity and conservation! Almost 2000 people took part in the free, hands-on science activities held that day.   

Exhibitors included the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Norwich Puppet Theatre, Dodo and Dinosaur, Broads Authority, Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, Climate Museum UK – among many others - and provided families a chance to learn about, and connect with, nature. From pond dipping and face painting to making air-dry terracotta creatures, creating wildlife-inspired mobiles, and drawing patterns that repeat in nature and the human body, there was something for everyone to enjoy! 

Vet, zoologist and children's author Dr Jess French gave two fantastic talks, sharing the incredible world of creepy crawlies and introducing children to some of her favourite mini-beasts, before then giving a sneak peek into the animal world’s weirdest body parts (from projectile tongues to glow-in-the-dark bums!)   

Families also had a chance to come face to face with real animals, from millipedes to giant rabbits, both at Bert’s Amazing Creatures mobile petting zoo and during the quieter, SEN-friendly workshops hosted by Wild Science.  

For the youngest visitors, The Garage led two dance sessions for toddlers, inspired by minibeasts movements! For those who were keen to try their hand at an experiment, Amanda Hartley from The Little Storytelling Company led three fantastic (if a little messy!) DNA extraction workshops.  

Leading up to this event, Norwich Science Festival facilitated a series of workshops for scientists from the Norwich Research Park and local community leaders, to enable the researchers to develop activities specifically about their work in a way that appeals to children. This project, entitled Making Connections, was kindly supported by the UK Science Festivals Network and UK Research and Innovation. 

The Making Connections activities – and the opportunities to meet real scientists working in Norwich – were hugely popular!  

Thanks to our funders, and to local providers Expresso and Kettle Chips, free refreshments were provided for over 400 children, supporting access to the event for a wider range of families. 

Bugs and Beasts 2024 was presented by Norwich Science Festival and The Forum, as part of Science on Your Doorstep - a two-year project which aims to inspire new audiences through free, fun and accessible events in partnership with local communities. The project is specifically focused on NR3, NR5, NR6 and NR8 areas. Survey results showed that 47.6% of Bugs and Beasts visitors in 2024 were from these postcodes, with many of our visitors living near Waterloo Park itself! 

Huge thanks to everyone involved in making this event an enormous success, including all of our exhibitors, artists, researchers, volunteers, staff involved and of course, to the Friends of Waterloo Park! 

You can view more images from the day, kindly taken by photographer Luke Witcomb, in this Facebook album.

Science on Your Doorstep is kindly supported by the Anguish’s Educational Foundation, the Norwich Freemen’s Charity and the John Jarrold Trust. 

Norwich Science Festival will return next year, from Saturday 15 until Saturday 22 February 2025.