Cheltenham has built up a reputation as being home to several prestigious festivals, and next week the spa town will welcome world-leading experts and an international cast of scientists, media personalities and big thinkers as the 2018 Science Festival gets underway on Tuesday June 5th.

The annual festival will offer visitors the chance to participate in experiments and activities as well as the chance to hear from some of the biggest names in the world of science. There will be dozens of daily talks on subjects ranging from the rise of artificial intelligence, the history of robots, the future of the aviation industry plus plenty more informative discussions on science and technology in the twenty-first century.

Vivienne Parry, Chair of Cheltenham Science Festival, says the six-day celebration of all things science is a must-attend event for the people of Gloucestershire. She said: “The brilliance of the Cheltenham Science Festival is the breadth of what’s on offer, but how do you choose from so much? My tip is to book your favourites but try at least one thing that’s completely new to you. Who knows – you might be connecting to something that really speaks to you.”

As ever, there will be several free interactive zones to engage all ages and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers. The Festival’s brand-new Cyber Zone will bring visitors face to face with innovative organisations, including DeepMind – the world-leading AI research company. More free activities include a sky diving display from the RAF Falcons, the Woodland Trust Nature Detectives, and two free Science Trails. During the week over 6,500 school children are expected on site to take part in these activities, with many more children visiting with their families over the weekend.

The theme of the 2018 Festival is ‘Connected:Divided’, exploring what connects and divides us as a species – from personal relationships, health and language to the law, global politics and the universe. Over 280 leading experts in the fields of psychology, biology, technology, engineering, anthropology, health and current affairs will make their way to Cheltenham for the six-day event, which is held in the Imperial Gardens and Town Hall in central Cheltenham.

Gina Collins, Head of Programming at the Science Festival, has given The Local Answer a list of five must-see shows at the 2018 festival:

• ‘Secrets of the Teenage Brain’ explores the huge changes and developments happening in the adolescent brain and why these teenage years are so special (if a little challenging).

• If you love the Avengers, join Marvel’s scientific advisor Clifford Johnson in ‘The Science of Marvel’.

• Find out how Artificial Intelligence is completely changing the game of chess in ‘Checkmate: How AI Conquered Games And Why It Matters’

• ‘Science Festival Variety Night’ – Promises to be funny, entertaining and enlightening.

• Worried about the trail of personal information that you’re leaving on the web? Find out whether you should be in ‘What Does the Internet Know About You?’