Science Museum Lates

We’ll be taking in a zombie invasion, the Enigma machine, fine art and the planets at this month’s maths-themed Science Museum Lates.

Come along to look at how maths is used by illusionists and enjoy a one-off screening of Interstellar with an introduction from the film’s Oscar-winning Visual Effects Supervisor Paul Franklin. As well as all this, there will also be the chance to become an undercover reporter and investigate how mathematics can solve practical problems and change lives at the launch of What’s Your Angle, a new festival at the Science Museum.

What's Your Angle: Uncovering Maths

Adopt the role of an undercover journalist for TV Channel 'News-24' in this unique and immersive theatrical event. Interview research groups to discover some surprising ways that mathematics can change lives and solve practical problems. You'll be guided on your mission by members of interactive theatre company non zero one and get the chance to present your own news report on camera.

Interstellar: The IMAX Experience

Join us for a one-off screening of Christopher Nolan's Interstellar in IMAX 70mm, preceded by a discussion between the Science Museum's Director of External Affairs Roger Highfield, Science Museum Fellow of Modern Science Harry Cliff and Interstellar's Oscar-winning Visual Effects Supervisor Paul Franklin.

This is a pre-booked event, but limited tickets may be available from the IMAX ticket desk and cost is £15 per person.

The Improbability Principle

Coincidences happen, incredibly unlikely things occur, and the apparently miraculous comes about. Professor David Hand explains the science of why we should expect people to win lotteries, lightning to strike twice, and financial crashes to occur.

Speed Cup Stacking Challenge

You’ve seen the YouTube clips... now’s your chance to become the skilled cup-stacker you always wanted to be.

Number Wizard

Science demonstrator Neil Monteiro displays some amazing and unbelievable feats of mental calculation - and then explains the trickery that makes it possible.

Colouring Numberland

Join bestselling author Alex Bellos to explore the beauty of mathematics, with crayons! You will be given stunning images - from Ulam spirals to Penrose tiles - to colour in. Taking part requires no mathematical knowledge but Alex will be on hand in case you want to find out more.

Orbits
See mathematics and music collide. Composer Emily Howard and mathematician Sebastian van Strien present a Leverhulme Trust-funded collaboration focussing on Howard's musical compositions Leviathan and Orbits. With live performances from ensemble scapegoat (saxophonist Joshua Hyde and percussionist Noam Bierstone).

May the 4th be with you
Can the fourth dimensional space exist when reality is three dimensional? Can 4D space be represented in a three dimensional world? Can it be drawn? Come along and create your own drawings to visualise the 4th dimension.

Crack the Enigma Code
Throughout World War II secret enemy messages were intercepted. Many of them were enciphered using the legendary Enigma machine: meet a real, working example of one of these machines, from Bletchley Park and get to grips with how it works, and its place in history.

Enigma: The Maths Behind the Machine

Send encrypted messages to each other on virtual Enigma machines created in MATLAB®. See how quickly modern computers, parallel computing and MATLAB can crack the code.

Numbers in Nature

Helen Betham shows you round the incredible naturally occurring maths in the plant and animal kingdoms which were around long before human mathematicians.

Great Cities Look Small

Is there a fundamental mathematical law governing all human relationships? Join Dr. Aaron Sim from Imperial College London as he shows how an idea from 19th century physics and the study of cities provide tantalising hints of an underlying theory.

The Science Museum Comedy Club

Punk Science, our resident comedy team invite you to meet some of their most hilarious and clever friends at their hybrid Comedy Club. Punk Science have found the funniest and most interesting people to entertain, enthral and educate you. There will be demonstrations of remarkable scientific concepts, intriguing theories and rarely seen fascinating objects from the Science Museum's collection. All this with top award winning comedians putting the fun into fundamental physics.

Tickets are limited and cost £9 per person – available from any ticket desk.