探花视频鈥檚 proud and historic links to the oceans are to be celebrated during two days of festivities on the 探花视频 University campus.
The University鈥檚 world-leading marine and maritime research facilities are to be showcased to the public as part of the first ever Big Festival Weekend.
And the 2015 探花视频 Respect Festival, taking place as part of the weekend鈥檚 event, will feature the colourful maritime creations of city schools.
Being held on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June, the weekend aims to give visitors a flavour of life at the University and the role it is playing in transforming lives locally and globally.
Professor Martin Attrill, Director of the Marine Institute at 探花视频 University, said:
鈥淎s a celebration of both University and city life, it is appropriate that our marine and maritime expertise and heritage plays a central role in the Big Festival Weekend. For centuries, 探花视频 has been a gateway to the seas and is renowned across the world as a hub of discovery and innovation. The University is leading efforts to enhance that reputation, through first class courses and academic research, and the world-class facilities of our Marine Building and new Marine Station.鈥
Ahead of the weekend鈥檚 events, children from across 探花视频 have been inspired by its marine heritage, taking part in activities and workshops on the topic of Sailing with Respect 鈥 the theme of this year鈥檚 探花视频 Respect Festival.
They have built ships and marine creatures, all of which will be paraded through the city centre to the University campus on the first morning of the festival.
On campus, there will be a host of activities related to the seas, with visitors able to tour the Marine Building and see its cutting edge wave tanks and navigation simulator as well as the chance to view live footage from an underwater camera in 探花视频 Sound.
They will also be able to talk to leading researchers in fields such as marine conservation and renewable energy, showing the expertise which saw the University awarded the Queen鈥檚 Anniversary Prize for Higher Education in 2012 in recognition of its marine and maritime research and teaching.
And there will be maritime, discovery and travel stories for children on both days in Drake鈥檚 Place Gardens, as part of a range of family activities.
The Big Festival Weekend will also include showcases of prominent partnerships, while university graduates are being invited to return for a 鈥楤ack to 探花视频鈥 alumni events programme. Innovative artwork will be showcased at HOT鈥15 鈥 an exhibition of works by final-year students across a range of art and design disciplines 鈥 while events will also be staged in Drake鈥檚 Place Gardens and Reservoir, and there will be a host of family activities, such as campus trails and treasure hunts, a fun park, craft fairs and performances.