Discovery Planet

18/08/2026

And finally...

We couldn't finish our Ramsgate Day posts without giving a huge round of applause to our amazing friends and frequent collaborators, Looping The Loop

We loved their incredible Sanger's Circus animals who popped in during the day bringing a little extra circus magic to our science activities. It was wonderful to have them with us, and we can't wait to work with them again

Did you spot the animals during the Ramsgate Day celebrations? Which one was your favourite?

To finish, thank you, to Ramsgate Town Council, Visit Ramsgate, Ramsgate local independent businesses, residents, performers, musicians, artists and other local community organisations for helping make Ramsgate Day so so special. ❤️

18/08/2026

Circus Science at Ramsgate Day 🎪

Ramsgate Day was a great day for BUBBLES!
They were everywhere, including during the event finale 'Parade of a Thousand Bubbles! Naturally we couldn't resist getting involved especially because (can you guess?) bubbles might seem like magic, but they're actually full of amazing science! (YAY)

We learnt that:

Soap helps water stretch into a thin film that can trap air

It doesn't matter what shaped pipecleaner wand you blow your bubble through, bubbles are always round because a sphere is the most efficient shape, using the least amount of surface area.

As the water in the bubble slowly evaporates, the bubble becomes thinner until... POP!

Wet fingers can sometimes touch a bubble without bursting it because they don't disrupt the delicate soap film.

From tiny bubbles to giant floating masterpieces, it was wonderful to see so many bubble scientists at work!

Did you manage to make a giant bubble, or were yours popping before they got very far?

Tell us about your bubble creations? Did you enjoy making them? Will your adult let you try them again at home?

photos by Peter Bateson

18/08/2026

Circus Science at Ramsgate Day! 🎪

Did you fill deflated balloons with lentils then actually you have a go at juggling on Saturday?

This activity might look like a simple circus trick, but guess what? juggling is packed with science.

Every ball that you throw up, follows a curved path through the air while gravity pulls it back down helping jugglers create those smooth flowing patterns.

This Saturday we learnt that:

Every juggling ball follows a predictable path through the air.

Learning to juggle gives your brain 🧠 a real workout, helping improve coordination, concentration and problem-solving skills.

As you practise, your brain creates new connections and stimulates different parts of your brain to work together.

Amazingly, your brain also starts predicting where the balls will be next, which is why experienced jugglers make it look so easy!

Scientists have even found that learning to juggle can change the structure of the brain, proving that our brains can keep learning and growing through practice.

Our volunteers Sally and Emma helped visitors make over 300 juggling balls on Sat! It was fantastic to see so many people having a go.

Did you learn to juggle two or three balls? Have you been practising ever since?
Tell us how you are getting on?

photos by Peter Bateson

18/08/2026

Circus Science at Ramsgate Day 🎪

Hands up - who made a colourful 'Tissue Paper Kite' on Saturday with Amber and Tony our brilliant volunteers?

These kites 🪁 🪁 🪁 looked really simple, but you wont be surprised to hear that there is some amazing science behind getting them into the air.

We learnt that:

Lift helps pull the kite upwards as the wind moves over and around it.
The lightweight tissue paper makes it easier for even a gentle breeze to lift the kite.
Gravity is always pulling the kite back down, so the wind has to work hard to keep it flying.
The double tail helps keep the kite stable, stopping it from spinning and diving through the air.

It's all about balancing the forces of flight to keep your kite flying high!

Did you get your kite to fly? Did it take off easily? crash land? Have you flown it since Saturday?

Let us know whether your kite flying skills have improved? Can you see yourself here?

Photos by Peter Bateson

18/08/2026

Circus Science at Ramsgate Day! 🎪

Were you one of the creative people who spent ages on Saturday carefully designing your Colour Spinner, only to watch in dismay as all your pictures and colours disappeared into a blur when it started spinning? 😆

Our Colour Spinners showed just how amazing our eyes and brains can be.

At first, you could clearly see all the colours of the rainbow. But as the spinner sped up, something magical happened... the colours seemed to disappear and blend into white or grey!

We learnt that:

White light is made up of all the colours of the rainbow.

Our eyes 👀 hold images for a tiny fraction of a second, a phenomenon called persistence of vision.

When the spinner turns quickly, our brain blends the colours together.

It was a simple spinner made from cardboard pens and a coin but this still produced some fascinating science!

Did you have a go at making your own Colour Spinner? Perhaps you have tried it again at home? What happened when it spun? Can you share a photo of it? We'd love to hear from you? 😊

Photos by Peter Bateson

18/08/2026

Circus Science at Ramsgate Day 🎪

Our Mini yellow rubber stunt person catapult was not only great fun but packed with science!

After constructing the catapult using lolly sticks and elastic bands, it was time for testing. Through pressing the catapult arm, we stored energy in the stretched rubber bands. When we released our thumbs, that energy turned into movement, launching our little yellow rubber stunt person into the air and through the flaming star of fire 💥

Along the way, we discovered:

How elastic energy can be stored and released
How levers (no matter how big) help create bigger, faster launches
How gravity pulls objects back to Earth, creating a curved flight path

Did you have a go at our Mini yellow rubber stunt person challenge? Did it get through the flaming star?
Let us know how you got on?
Can you see yourself?

Photos by Peter Bateson

18/08/2026

Circus Science at Ramsgate Day 🎪

One of our most popular activities on Saturday was our Balancing Clowns!

At first glance, it seems impossible. How can a cardboard clown balance perfectly on just one fingertip without falling over?

The secret is all about centre of mass and gravity!

By adding weights 📎 to the clown's hands, we move its centre of mass lower down and directly beneath the balancing point. This means that even if the clown wobbles, gravity helps pull it back into position instead of letting it topple over.

We discovered that adding weight can actually make this clown easier to balance. The centre of mass is the point where an object's weight is evenly distributed. When the centre of mass hangs below the balancing point, the object becomes much more stable.

Many of our circus scientists were amazed to see their clown balancing on just one finger, we wonder, did anyone try balancing their clown on the tip of their nose?

18/08/2026

We had so much fun on Ramsgate Day, Visit Ramsgate a whole town celebration.

This year the theme was 'Circus' a nod to Sanger's Circus who used to be on Ramsgate High Street in 1883, so, we couldn't resist and went FULL Circus Science.

We took over Ramsgate Space and Albert Court with a series of activities:
Balancing Clowns,
Juggling Balls,
Coloured Spinners,
Mini fearless acrobats,
Flying Kites,
Dancing Popcorn,
Bubbles,
Popcorn and Candyfloss.

Were you there?
We'd love to know what you enjoyed most?
Leave us a comment or send us a message!

Roll on next year! 🎉

Fabulous photos as always by Peter Bateson
A huge thank you to our constantly brilliant team and our new friendly volunteers from Kent Coast Volunteering
A huge 'Thank you' to Ramsgate Town Council for part funding our event.
Lots more posts and photos to follow this one!

14/08/2026

🎪 Are you coming to Ramsgate Day?

Ramsgate Day is TOMORROW!
It’s a free circus-themed day of family fun, live music, workshops, local businesses, bubbles and community spirit.

All activities are in and around the town centre.

Discovery Planet will be in Ramsgate Space and Albert Court from 12 - 4pm. Don’t forget to pop in and see us.

Don’t miss the Parade of a Thousand Bubbles from 4.30pm at the Harbour Street gate.

See you there!
Visit Ramsgate

Visit Ramsgate

17/04/2026

We can’t wait to meet the Binfluencers! See you there?

Residents are invited on Sunday, 19 April, for a spectacular town-wide event. The Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board is joining forces with the Great British Carnival and St. George's Church, Ramsgate to officially celebrate the new Ramsgate 10-year community plan.

Expect a fantastic day out! Enjoy the joyful St George's Day Spring Parade, a traditional mumming play, and a free community lunch. Attendees will also get to experience the 'Bring It to Life' creative showcases. Come and see incredible local talent in action, from roaming street performers to new murals and sound installations.

This is also the perfect chance to meet members of the Ramsgate Neighbourhood Board. Residents can say hello, share their thoughts, and bring ideas for potential projects that will shape the town's future.

Check out the full celebration event timetable here: https://www.gbcarnival.co.uk/st-georges-day-parade-2026.html