FREE SUMMER EVENT
Come and experience the wonderful world of nature.
A Sense of Nature (Monday 12th to Friday 16th July)
at the David Welch Winter Gardens, Duthie Park
Explore our incredible senses and discover how they allow us to see, hear, smell, taste and feel the wonderful world around us. Each day will feature activities and crafts that investigate one of our five senses in more detail.
Discover the personal journey of students from Grays School of Art as they move from the managed to explore the wild.
Guest workshops from other organisations during the afternoons – times vary:
Monday 1-4pm – The Cosmic Dome mobile planetarium comes to Duthie Park greenhouse and explores stars andconstellations. Please note these sessions must be booked on the day and are suitable for children aged eight or over and accompanied by an adult. No late admittance allowed to shows.
Tuesday 2-4pm - “ Make your own fractal” Fractal algorithms in Computer Science and Nature activity with the dot.rural RCUK Digital Economy research centre, University of Aberdeen. In this workshop, you’re invited to create your own fractals as we explore what fractals are and how they are generated. You can also discover why fractals are important, both in the natural world and in modern technologies.
Wednesday 2-4pm – Join in the ‘Sound Show’ with Laura Young from Satrosphere.
Thursday 2-4pm – Explore your sense and choice of taste with the team from the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health.
A Glimpse at the Global (Monday 19th to Friday 23rd July)
at the David Welch Winter Gardens, Duthie Park
Visit us for a unique insight into the incredible diversity of animal and plants that exist in distant habitats from all over the earth. Each day will feature activities that investigate a particular habitat in more detail.
Featuring guest workshops from other organisations during the afternoons:
Tuesday 2-4pm – get up close and personal with some mega-beasties from the tropical rainforest with Laura Young from Satrosphere.
Wednesday 2-4pm – “How to build a sensor.. And Mr Untouchable!”
Interactive sensor activity with the dot.rural RCUK Digital Economy research centre, University of Aberdeen. In this workshop, you can explore what sensors are and see how they’re used to monitor, track, and even tell the story of an animal’s life. You will also discover how to build your own, wearable sensor ‘magic’ gloves with dot.rural’s very own Mr Untouchable!
Thursday 2-4pm – learn about our amazing oceans and how they cause the climate to be different in different parts of the world with Dr Lizzie Molyneux from the College of Physical Sciences at the University of Aberdeen
Doorstep Diversity (Monday 26th to Friday 30th July)
at the Natural History Centre, Tillydrone Avenue
Experience the sounds and sensations of Scotland’s secret haven of habitats, from sea to summit. Learn about local wildlife and marvel at our annual prize winning competition posters and local art work.
Each day of the week will feature different activities and crafts relating to the amazing variety of life in the North East!
Tuesday 2-4pm – “Can you tag the stag and find the hind?”Discover how to track wildlife using satellite sensors with the dot.rural RCUK Digital Economy research centre, University of Aberdeen. In this interactive treasure hunt you must find as many ‘hidden’ deer as possible, discovering why scientists tag groups of deer how how you can do this using new technologies.
“Can you save the ducks before the banks burst?” Flood risk management activity with the dot.rural RCUK Digital Economy research centre, University of Aberdeen. Using sensor technology and computer programs, this interactive challenge introduces the idea of flood risk management. But can you respond in time and save the ducks before the river floods?...
Wednesday 2-4pm– Discover the weird and wonderful life of the sea, dissect a fish, learn what makes it tick and then print your own place mat with Lyndsay McPherson from Oceanlab (please note these sessions must be booked on the day)
Thursday 1-4pm – investigate the world around you and save the planet! Take a local safari and discover how to record our native wildlife and contribute toa wildlife databaseduring our biodiversity recording workshops with Glenn Roberts from the North East Scotland Biological Records Centre(please note these sessions must be booked on the day – suitable for ages 13+)
2009 Events
An Evening of Evolution
Tuesday 24th November 2009
Come and enjoy an informal evening of talks, tours and workshops celebrating the 150th anniversary of the publication of "The Origin of Species". This is the last event in our Darwin200 series.
Programme:
Zoology Lecture Theatre
6.00 The Origin of the Origin. Dr. Neil Paterson, University of Dundee.
6.45 Darwin background: nature plus nurture. Prof. Gordon Walkden, College of Physical Sciences.
7.15 A Darwin's Eye View of the Museum. Dr. Duncan Heddle, School of Biological Sciences.
7.45 Evolution in the DNA era. Dr. Stuart Piertney, School of Biological Sciences.
8.15 Quiz: Who wants to be a Darwinaire? Dr. John Baird, School of Biological Sciences.
Zoology Foyer
Plant Evolution Exhibition
First edition of the "Origin of Species" on display
Zoology Basement
Zoology Museum: Evolution Tours with Duncan Heddle (from 7.45pm)
Natural History Centre displays:
Evolution and Extinction
Darwin: his life and work
Workshops
Dr. Kirsty Millican - Human Evolution
Mr. Ian Mackay - Pigeons
Mr. Stephen Caine - Taxidermy
Refreshments
Tea, Coffee and Cake served from 7pm.
Adaptable Animals
Monday 12th to Friday 16th October from 1pm to 4pm
Discover the amazing ways that animals have become accustomed to live in some of the harshest conditions on Earth - hot deserts and colder climates.
There'll be live geckos and gerbils from the hottest arid areas; a slinky stoat and stoic snowy owl from colder continents and a host of other interesting plants and animals.
Take our trail and explore the Zoology Museum for other 'Adaptable Animals' and then make your own summer/winter stoat to take home.
At the Natural History Centre, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen
Free Admission
Drop in - no need to book
Part of the DARWIN200 celebrations.
“Darwin: Discovery, Dinosaurs and Dodos”
Darwin’s Great Discoveries
(Monday 13th to Friday 17th July)
Follow in the footsteps the great British Scientist – Charles Darwin – as he travelled the world on the HMS Beagle and discovered the secrets of science from sundews to seashells.
More details:
In the first week we’ll be having a fun, hands-on look at this great British scientist. We’re finding out about some of the amazing plants and animals that interested Darwin, what he discovered and where he travelled. We will be exploring Darwin's life, including the animals he saw on his voyage round the world that inspired him to come up with his important ideas about evolution. Using the fantastic glasshouses we will explore some of the amazing plants that Darwin came across, while finding a bit more out about the life and thoughts of this amazing scientist. Everyday we'll also be planting up Nasturtiums - a climbing plant that Darwin studied and having fun creating crafty creatures.
Summary:
Monday and Tuesday - 1pm to 4pm: Ian McKay (President of the Aberdeen Federation of Racing Pigeons) will be bringing in his racing pigeons
Wednesday - 2pm to 4pm: adventure and discovery with Pauline Cordiner – a Scottish Story Teller with tales of travel and discovery and the animals Darwin encountered on his journey.
Thursday - 2pm - 4pm: discover Darwin’s kitchen chemistry with Gemma Catton from Satrosphere
Friday 1pm to 4pm: – Darwin thought worms were the most important on earth - find out more about worms with Sheila Wiseman from WRAP
Evolution, Extinction and Dinosaurs
(Monday 20th to Friday 24th July)
Why is the earth like it is? Discover some dinosaurs and learn how evolution and extinction have helped form our living world.
Preventing Dodo Disasters
(Monday 27th to Friday 31st July)
Can we learn from the past and not be as doomed as the Dodo? Come and find out about endangered species, conservation and how we can all help to protect our world.
Something for everyone. Families welcome. Children must be accompanied.
Holiday clubs and groups - please phone the Natural History Centre (01224 274545) to book one of our morning sessions.
The David Welch Winter Gardens, Duthie Park. Aberdeen
July 13th to July 31st, Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 4.00pm
FREE
This year is the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. The Natural History Centre is celebrating this important scientist's life and work through a series of events during the year. For other Darwin events please visit the University of Aberdeen's "Darwin" website.