Light for Wales - Diamond Light Source Exhibition at the National Eisteddfod of Wales

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The National Eisteddfod is the premier cultural festival of Wales, held mainly in Welsh. It is an 8 day festival held annually during early August at different locations within Wales, Denbigh in 2013, Llanelli in 2014 and Montgomeryshire in 2015. The National Eisteddfod will be held at Abergavenny in 2016 which is located in Monmouthshire, on the Welsh border. Total attendance at each festival usually exceeds 160,000. The site includes a main pavilion of capacity 3,500, with approximately 10 smaller satellite pavilions, including the Science & Technology pavilion, all surrounded by some 300 commercial and other stands. At each of the 2012-2015 Eisteddfodau, the total space allocated to Science was: pavilion and other buildings (600sqm) and external exhibitions (400 sqm). Attendance at the Science Exhibition has consistently been in excess of 20,000 over 8 days for each of the past 3 years.The aims of the science tent as a whole are:1. Promote the Public Understanding of Science - To provide innovative opportunities for visitors to become better informed about various aspects of Science and Technology (STEM) subjects.2. To provide STFC facilities and Welsh "science-producing" bodies such as Universities with an opportunity to showcase their achievements locally, regionally and globally.3. Create interest and excitement in STEM subjects leading to improved attainment in Science KS3, KS4 and KS5 and to motivate students.4. To stimulate young people to consider careers in STEM subjects.In 2015 a group heavily involving Diamond Light Source attended the National Eisteddfod using material funded by an STFC grant. The activity was well received and we have been approached to return with a varied activity.The aims of this project are:- To promote the work done at Diamond to non-typical audiences i.e. the festival visitors will not be a 'standard' science festival audience- To support and highlight other exhibitions at the festival that will be specifically covering some of the research carried out at Diamond- To inspire youngsters to think about careers in STEM subjects- To highlight the impact on society of the work done at Diamond- To utilise the specialist welsh language resources produced for last year's event.- To build trust, understanding and support from the public for the work done at Diamond- To highlight the national aspect of the research done by Diamond i.e. although based in Oxfordshire it is a national facility and is also 'Welsh' science.- To build on the successes of Diamond's previous involvement at the Eisteddfod, but in a different location and audience.- To provide a platform for Welsh scientists working at Diamond to engage with the public