Colours of Burlington House or The Science of Colour

Burlington House Courtyard, London 11th August

There are few more beautiful places in London than Burlington House, home to five learned societies and the Royal Academy. They are coming together on this August evening to discuss the art, history and science of colour. The Linnean Society will be championing the work of the great botanical artist and naturalist James Sowerby, who produced a 36-volume work on the botany of England and developed theories of colour. Meanwhile, the Royal Society of Chemistry will serve up the secrets of ultraviolet light and glow sticks, as well as comedy and demonstrations. Go on: I know you’re dyeing to go.

Dragons, Thrones and the Games They Play

Royal Institution, London, 16th August

Sorry for being London-centric but W1 is where it’s at if you want some quality science-themed August fun, especially for children. Helen Keen, a comedian who riffs on popular science, will host an evening to coincide with the paperback publication of her book, The Science of Game of Thrones. Among those assisting her is Rory Hadden, a fire scientist; Jennifer Harrison, an evolutionary biologist who has broadcast the birth of lizards; and geneticist Jonathan Pettitt, a fan of worms. Visitors are promised an evening of ice, fire, fantasy and fun—and worms, presumably. When you’ve got kids to entertain over an endless summer, you can’t argue with that.