The Manchester Science Festival is set to return with a packed programme of events exploring the extremes of nature, human capability, and creativity.

Running from October 18 to 27, the festival is a highlight of the city's cultural calendar and one of the most popular science festivals in the UK.

This year, the festival offers visitors a chance to engage with some of science's most advanced developments through multi-sensory experiences, immersive events, and hands-on family activities.

Interactive events will take place throughout the 10 days of the festival at the Science and Industry Museum.

One major exhibition, "Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine," will delve into the extreme challenges faced during the pandemic.

The exhibition will showcase the worldwide effort to develop vaccines quickly and feature inspiring stories of scientists and innovators who collaborated to tackle the global COVID-19 challenge.

The exhibition will also highlight the unique experiences and responses of communities in Manchester to the pandemic, with objects and stories displayed for the first time.

Another exhibition, "State of Mind" by Squidsoup, will explore the impact of smartphones and apps on our brains through immersive artwork.

This installation, inspired by the work of abstract artist Piet Mondrian, will create a space for visitors to reflect on their everyday use of media technologies and consider their effects on mood and behaviour.

The incredible Arachnobot, a giant spider puppet, will also make its way through Manchester's Arndale Centre in an unmissable spectacle.

Created by Artistic Director Tim Davies, this dynamic work of art will be controlled by a single puppeteer and is designed to both terrify and enchant passers-by.

The festival will also feature a special conversation between STEM champion, social entrepreneur, and computer scientist Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE and the UK Space Agency’s Head of Space Exploration, Libby Jackson OBE.

The pair will discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence and space exploration.

Families can look forward to activity zones at the museum, featuring activities from partners including the Natural History Museum and the universities of Manchester and Salford.

Special science-themed BBC CBeebies Bedtime Stories will also be available during the festival.

The festival will take over the historic 1830 Warehouse with fun and inspiring experiences for all ages in the Activity Zones.

This includes pop-up activities and drop-in workshops delivered by partners such as the National Graphene Institute, the Royal Society, and Booking.com.

Highlights of the festival include the opportunity to explore the mental health benefits of drumming, investigate molecules, and see the Vollebak graphene jacket acquired by the museum, on display for the first time.

The museum will also host an adult-only evening event, "Museum After Hours," where attendees can explore the museum after hours and celebrate the final weekend of the festival.

The event will provide exclusive access to Squidsoup’s immersive art installation set within the atmospheric 1830 Warehouse.

Ella Wild, head of festivals and events at the Science and Industry Museum, said: "We are delighted that Manchester Science Festival is back this year with an unmissable programme packed full of fun, playful experiences designed to ignite curiosity about our world.

"The festival is a brilliant opportunity to bring together visitors of all ages and interests to be inspired by science in action, and a wonderful way to showcase Manchester’s long-standing position as a leader in innovation. We can’t wait to welcome everyone in October."

As the world’s first industrial city, Manchester has long been at the heart of human development and continues to be a leader in progress and innovation.

The Science and Industry Museum is uniquely placed to tell the city’s story, sitting on the site of the world’s oldest surviving passenger railway station.

Today, it is alive with innovative discoveries and committed to inspiring visitors through ideas that changed the world, with the Manchester Science Festival sitting at the centre of this.

The Manchester Science Festival has been generously supported by the University of Salford, Booking.com, and Manchester Airports Group.