- Cafe Series
- National Science and Engineering Week
- May Festival
- British Science Festival 2012
- Give Us Your Views
National Science and Engineering Week
The 2013 programme for National Science and Engineering week has now been launched! Click the image to the left to download the brochure. Supported by BP, the University of Aberdeen and the Scottish Government we're bringing you a packed week of talks, shows, exhibitions and activities for all ages from the 15th to the 24th of March. This years theme is invention and discovery. Come along to one of our events and let us illuminate your imagination!
You can also follow all the events and keep up to date via the Facebook page.
Public Programme Highlights 14 - 23 March 2012
Thursday 14 March |
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LAUNCH EVENT - An evening with Miranda Krestovnikoff: Miranda Krestovnikoff is a history and wildlife presenter, writer, musician and underwater diver. She has a background in zoology and has appeared on numerous T.V. programmes. Join us as she shares many of her wildlife experiences both on land and underswater and discusses current environmental issues reserve your free place now - see right. |
7.30pm, Conference Centre. Click here or tel 01224 273274. |
Friday 15 March |
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Science in the Mall - It's not just shoppers mingling in the Bon Accord Centre on the first day of National Science and Engineering Week. Let our buskers, who are all researchers from the University of Aberdeen show you some on-the-spot demos and reveal some amazing tricks and facts. So why not come along and see how many buskers you can find? As it is Red Nose Day we will also be collecting for Comic Relief |
11am - 3pm Shopping Centre |
Saturdays 16 and 23 March |
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Mill of Benholm - families investigating science. Mill of Benholm near Johnshaven, south of Stonehaven, is the only surviving traditional water-powered meal mill in Aberdeenshire. Come and investigate the science behind this fully restored machinery and take part in a variety of family activities including chemistry experiments, tractor and model railway demonstrations and watch bird of prey displays. The mill also has a millpond riverside walk, cottage garden, extensive woodland and tea room. |
10am - 3pm no booking required. millofbenholm.org.uk |
Saturday 16 March |
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TEDx UnionTerrace TEDx has arrived in Aberdeen with a conference dedicated to the spreading of innovative ideas and groundbreaking research. This year’s
TEDxUnionTerrace theme is ‘Fromthe inside out’ – focusing on self improvement and education. TEDx is a global initiative to share ideas. It is a program of local, self-organised events that bring people together to spark discussion. TEDxUnionTerrace is brought to you by Aberdeen University Students’ Association. |
1pm - 6pm Belmont Cinema @live.co.uk |
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Design Garden In collaboration with Cruickshank Botanic Garden, Masters students, at the Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment at Robert Gordon University, will present their design models in their chosen garden area of Cruickshank Botanic Garden. With an emphasis on tranquillity and greater awareness, the original academic brief was to consider how a built design sympathetic to a key area of the Garden could augment the enjoyment of the selected space. Often unrecognised, a wise selection of plants can compliment architectural design, just asmuch as a well designed structure can frame a noteworthy garden. Come along and enjoy the cultural link of architectural design in a botanic garden setting. |
2pm- 4pm Botanic Garden booking essential @abdn.ac.uk |
Sunday 17 March |
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Underwater Discovery - Come and explore the underwater world and some of the recent discoveries that have been made below the surface of the sea. The fun packed day includes tickets to see the divers feed the fish, talks, activities, games and a surprise visit from the wonderful Mr Bug! |
11am-4pm Child £3.05, Family (2+2) £16.70 aberdeenshire.gov.uk
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Birds: In your back garden and beyond Visit the Natural History Centre to learn more about Scottish birds fromthe vast coastlines and waterways, to your own back garden. Take a trail around the bird gallery in the ZoologyMuseum, and meet our University of Aberdeen researchers who will talk about their work which involves bird ringing.Weather permitting there will be demonstrations in the Cruickshank Botanic Garden by the Grampian Ringing Group. |
1pm-4pm Natural History Centre no booking required
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Monday 18 March |
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Cafe MED: Transforming surgical care with robots Come along to our relaxed CafeMED talk and discussion in the Suttie Building cafe to hear about some of the latest research inmedicine. This talk will discuss the role of robotics in assisting us to deliver better healthcare. Our speakers,Mr TimMcAdam(Consultant Colorectal Surgeon) and Professor SamMcClinton (Consultant Urologist and Professor of Urology) will be asking the question “What can robots do that humans can’t?”.
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6pm - 8pm |
Tuesday 19 March |
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Runaway Rockets Interested in space science and physics? Come along and hear Dr John Davies, staff astronomer at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh, discuss some of the exciting space research that is happening right here in the UK. Talk starts at 7pm with the chance for questions afterwards. The Tramsheds Coffee House will be open. |
7pm -8.30pm Science Centre no booking required. adults and children aged 10+. |
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Cafe Sci in the Shire: Why are our trees dying? Ash dieback’s arrival in the UK sparked public interest in tree health. Find out what’s causing the decline in tree health and what can be done about it. This event acknowledges the United Nation’s International Day of Forests on 21 March each year. With speaker Dr SteveWoodward, Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Aberdeen |
7pm Inverurie Free admission, no booking required |
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Tuesday 19 March and Wednesday 20 March |
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Let's Get Messy Join Aberdeen Play Forum for some extra messy play to celebrate National Science & Engineering Week. Play in puddles,mix ‘magic’ potions, have fun in the ‘Mud Pie’ kitchen and hunt forminibeasts. You will getmessy so please wear old clothes/waterproofs! |
Tuesday 19 March, 3.30pm to 4.45pm Northfield 3.30pm to 4.45pm Torry Free admission, no booking required. Operational Play Development worker, on 07772226617 for more information. |
Wednesday 20 March
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Cafe Scientifique Aberdeen City: From hearing to seeing Most sounds are a complex mix of signals that our brains then interpret. Come and discover how insights on how we hear can help us repair sight loss due to brain injury, with demonstrations and examples of new techniques. Professor Arash Sahraie, School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen. |
7pm Union Bridge Store |
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The Importance of Being Interested Award winning comedian and science enthusiast Robin Ince follows up his Happiness Through Science show with a look at his favourite scientists – Charles Darwin and Richard Feynman. Find out why we have eyebrows, why bald dogs have bad teeth, how heavymetalmusicmakes pigs deaf and why spaghetti snaps into four pieces. It is a loving look into theminds of two giants of human imagination who changed our worldview. He’ll also stop off on the way to look at some of the more bizarre views of early science – is the ostrich really the offspring of the union of a gnat and a giraffe? (No). A night of spaghetti, barnacles and safe cracking. |
Schools performance 1.30 pm; Evening performance 7pm Schools £6, evening performance £12 + booking fee |
Thursday 21 March |
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Aberdeen Skeptics in the Pub: Helen Keen, Robot Woman of Tomorrow Award-winning comedian and star of BBC Radio 4's hit space comedy It Is Rocket Science, Helen Keen returns to Aberdeen with fusion of stand-up, science fiction & science fact that will transport you into the exciting, inventive and tinfoil-y world of The Future (by at least 45 minutes). |
7.30pm Rosemount Viaduct booking essential (space limited) 18+
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Friday 22 March |
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Bring Your Own Brain III: Brain Injury and Repair Damage to the spinal cord or brain can have serious and lifelong effects, physically and mentally, but new discoveries show how we can encourage the nervous system to repair itself. Hosted by Professor PeterMcCaffery, a number of leadingmedical scientists from the University of Aberdeen, Derryck Shewan, Lynda Erskine,Martin Collinson and Ann Rajnicek will discuss astonishing scientific findings about how our brains recover from injury. |
6pm Foresterhill Health Campus no booking required |
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Saturday 23 March |
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Discovery Day This year's Discovery Day is packed with shows, hands-on science, exhibitions and shows. Come and Explore Your Universe, 'Get a bag habit', meet the scientist and make your very own lighthouse. Entry is only £1. Doors open at 10am with activities running throughout the day. |
10am - 4pm Science Centre no need to book |
Saturday 23 and 24 of March |
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Forensic Forests Join the Forestry Commission Rangers for some terrific tree science! Find out about oak and spruce trees, play the oxygen game, use a clinometer to measure tree heights, become an expert dendroclimatologist and lotsmore! |
10am - 2pm Aberdeen and Communities Ranger forestry.gsi.gov.uk or
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A little bit about science week
Each March the British Science Association Aberdeen Branch brings you dozens of events to celebrate the UK's only national festival of science - National Science and Engineering Week. Working in partnership with the University of Aberdeen and other partners, and with support from BP and the Scottish Government, our programme has events for people of all ages and interests. Our previous programmes can be viewed at the links below.
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To sign up for updates about University of Aberdeen events, join the event mailing list. If you are interested in getting involved with National Science and Engineering Week, contact the Public Engagement with Research Unit and take a look at our 'Staff and Students Through Year Opportunities' page.
