Making Time
Celebrating 100 years of the History of Science Museum
Sunday 3 March, 11am-3pm
Weston Library, Broad Street (opposite the Sheldonian Theatre)
Activities for all ages
We'd love you to join us in the Weston Library to celebrate our first 100 years
- Get hands-on with astrolabes and find out how they are made
- Use the rhythm of the universe to tell the time
- Learn beautiful Arabic calligraphy
- Follow our founder Lewis Evans as he collects new time treasures
- Make your very own sundial or astrolabe to take away
And don't miss Dr Sumner Braund's talk on the fascinating people and histories at the heart of the Lewis Evans collection.
There's something for everyone. See you there!
How does it work?
Ever wondered what an astrolabe is and how it's made?
Then come and join us for Astrolabes Live! with Dr Taha Yasin Arslan in our pop-up astrolabe workshop.
Taha will talk you through the process as he makes an astrolabe. And there'll be opportunities to get hands-on and engrave part of an astrolabe.
Don't miss our experts showing you how an astrolabe works. And they'll help you handle the astrolabe so you can have a go yourself.
For ages 12+
What does it say?
This is your chance to learn the beautiful Arabic calligraphy you often see on astrolabes from the Islamic World.
Our volunteers will give you a quick demo so you can create a sheet of writing to take away with you.
For ages 7+
Where in the world?
Follow in Lewis Evans' footsteps as he searches for new finds for his collection.
Pick an object card and follow a map trail to discover what it is, where he found it, and who helped him along the way.
For ages 7+
Can I make time?
Why not start a collection by making your own time-teller?
Choose an astrolabe or a sundial, follow the simple instructions (our volunteers are there to help), and see how we told the time before clocks and phones.
For ages 7+
Time for the Todleian
Find out all about collectors with picture books and enjoy our colouring-in sheets featuring beautiful objects from the Lewis Evans collection.
For families with under 5s
Lecture - About Time: One Passion. A World of Histories
Dr Sumner Braund, curator of the new Lewis Evans display About Time, will give a short talk to share her latest research findings.
She'll explore the people behind these beautiful instruments, outline the myriad journeys the objects took before Lewis Evans acquired them, and reveal the fascinating histories at the heart of the collection.
3.00-3.30pm: Talk
3.30-3.45pm: Audience Q&A
3.45pm: Close
For ages 16+
