Watch Support Search What's on Education Christmas Lectures Our history About Blog About → News → Summer 2013 → summer-events → Simon Mayo launches Royal Institution summer events programme One of Britain’s best-loved BBC presenters Simon Mayo will open the Royal Institution’s summer events programme on 18 May. Previous Next 2 May 2013 One of Britain’s best-loved BBC presenters Simon Mayo will open the Royal Institution’s summer events programme on 18 May with a family show to launch his second children’s book ‘Itch Rocks’ about a science-mad element hunting teenager called ‘Itch’. Mayo, who will fill his talk with science demos in true Ri style, leads a line up of speakers including Nobel Prize winning physicist William Phillips and materials scientist Mark Miodownik. The eclectic programme, which follows a season of sold-out events earlier this year, features Romantic biographer Richard Holmes following the pioneering generation of balloon aeronauts, Nobel Prize-winning physicist Bill Phillips on Einstein’s atomic clocks and the dynamic duo of astronomer Marek Kukula and Odette Toilette exploring the scent of space. Chemist Andrea Sella will present his first Friday Evening Discourse on the politics and economics of rare earth elements and Mark Miodownik will launch his new book ‘Stuff Matters’. Comedian and science songstress Helen Arney will take the Guest Curator reins while philosopher Michela Massimi presents a three-part series on physics and philosophy. For more information, interviews and press passes contact: media@ri.ac.uk. Learn Masterclasses L'Oréal Young Scientist Centre Events for the whole family Science shows Interactive games Christmas Lectures Visit News What's On Food & Drink The Faraday Museum Heritage tours Find us Support Donate to the Ri Join the Ri Renew your Membership Corporate Partnerships 14-10 Club Events Jobs Keep in touch Keep up to date with regular emails from the Ri © Royal Institution 2013 Facebook Twitter Youtube Venue Hire Press T&Cs Privacy Policy Accessibility Contact Us