Breakthroughs in Science: The Launch of Latitude 2025’s Innovative Arena

Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to Henham Park in Suffolk when the musical festival kicked off for its 19th year on Friday. 

New for this year was the Cosmic Shambles Forest of Science and Culture.

Curated by the award-winning team at Cosmic Shambles Network, the new arena features the Apollo stage for live talks and Museum Street, which was packed full of interactive exhibits and pop-up mini-museums. 

“Every session in the tent has been packed and on Museum street, there had been queues outside the door,” said Trent Burton, co-founder of Cosmic Shambles Network. 
Trent Burton organised the science arena (Image: Paris Maben-Hume) READ MORE: Happy camping! Spirits not dampened after rainy first night at Latitude Festival

“I’m a bit overwhelmed at how big and popular it has been.

”We already started planning next year before we had even finished setting up for this year.”

Among the pop-ups on Museum Street was Greenpower, who give children an insight into engineering by providing kits to build cars to schools and youth groups. 
 

Greenpower provides car build kits to schools to introduce children to engineering (Image: Paris Maben-Hume) Jake Barnes, event manager for Greenpower, said: “It’s been good. Mainly children asking if they can drive the car.

”I’m just here to raise awareness about what we do and hopefully inspire some people to bug their teachers into getting them a car kit.”

READ MORE: First campers arrive at Latitude Festival in torrential downpours

Our reporter Harry Frazer having a go at one of the interactive displays (Image: Paris Maben-Hume) Children could also learn about the evolution of computers with the Centre of Computing History, which has a base in nearby Cambridge.

The interactive displays included a PlayStation 2 and a “feel-it” box for children to try and guess what computer part they were touching. 
Lizzie Salter (right) showcased the history of computers (Image: Paris Maben-Hume) “We just did that as something interactive to have but it has been so popular,” said Lizzie Salter, of the Cambridge based museum. 

“In the second box is a floppy desk and it’s been hilarious because so many children think we 3D printed the save icon.

”I think anything that gives people the opportunity to have STEM learning in a fun and relaxed environment if important.”