Ticket sales for the latest New Zealand International Science Festival are proving "extremely popular" and some children's workshops and several adult events have already sold out, organisers say.
Festival director Sue Clarke is "excited" about the positive early public reaction to the Dunedin event.
The festival's theme, "Everyday Science: Food for Thought", was striking a chord with the public, she said.
About 80% of tickets for many of the children's programmes and smaller events for adults were sold out.
Tickets were still available for keynote events of explorer and adventurer Tim Jarvis and surgeon Mr Andrew Greensmith, she said.
The strong focus on food, and the use of restaurants for several events, was attracting people who had not taken part in previous science festivals.
The latest festival, which starts tomorrow, runs for six days.
Former Dunedin resident Dr Helen Anderson, who recently stepped down as chief executive of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology, will return as a festival participant to encourage young women to pursue careers in science and to take up wider leadership roles.
Dr Anderson will speak on Friday at a breakfast event, involving "inspirational women in science", at the Glenroy Auditorium, Dunedin Town Hall.
Dr Liz Carpenter, an immunologist at AgResearch, nutritionist Nikki Hart and Television New Zealand weather presenter Karen Olsen will also take part.
