Tropical Ecology Research Group - Tropical Festival - A Shiny Success
Photo Exhibition
A group of PhD students from Lancaster Environment Centre's Tropical Research Group recently organized a vibrant and colourful Tropical Festival in The Gregson Community Centre in Lancaster.
The event took place between February 24th and March 9th and aimed to promote the diverse, world class research being carried out in the tropics by students and academics in Lancaster University. This two week festival, the first of its kind for both the Gregson's Centre and the University, hosted: an energetic opening concert - the highlight of the festival, attracting over 150 people to dance the night away to the hypnotic beats of the Batalá Samba band and the tranquil tones of Bossa Cuba Nova - free African drumming, Yoga, Merengue, and Zumba workshops; two afternoons of fascinating talks presented by LEC researchers; as well as a smaller 'pocket concert' held in the restaurant area of the Pub. These activities were aimed at encouraging the interaction between University staff, students and the wider community in Lancaster, but importantly, they were both enjoyable and informative for everyone involved.
In total, over 250 people attended these activities, not including all those who attended the thought-provoking photo exhibition that was present in the pub and restaurant rooms for the duration of the event. Finally, the festival also facilitated the creation of links between Lancaster's Dallas Road Primary School and the Tropical Research Group. A member of the group visited the school to talk about tropical ecology to the year four students who were studying rainforests. In return the children contributed to the photo exhibition by creating imaginary tropical animals for the walls of the Gregson Centre to sit alongside the photos from the group.
All in all we think that the festival was a huge success and we would like to thank you all for contributing and for making it happen! Without your support the event wouldn't have been possible. We hope that this successful partnership inspire others to promote Science and culture beyond the University walls.
Obrigada, obrigado, thanks, cheers,
Erika Berenguer, Ricardo de Lima, Hannah Griffiths and Rachael Carrie
Fri 11 May 2012