Fancy building your very own robot? Learning how life on earth existed before technology? Or discovering more about how the human skeleton works?
These will be amongst the inspiring scientific activities on offer for visitors to Aberdeen Maritime Museum and Satrosphere Science Centre on Saturday (March 20).
The two locations will host Discovery Day - a free event which aims to bring science and engineering to life with a series of shows, workshops, exhibitions and interactive sessions for all the family.
Taking place from 10am – 4pm at both venues, the day’s activities will provide an entertaining and energetic start to the finale weekend of National Science and Engineering Week (12 – 21 March), co-ordinated by the British Science Association in Aberdeen.
Visitors to SatrosphereScience Centrewill have the chance to discover how human bones break and mend as experts from the University of Aberdeen host a show on The Secret Life of the Skeleton.
The tiny beasties which lurk in our soils will be explored in a fun game hosted by Aberdeen City Rangers, Aberdeenshire Rangers and Buchan Countryside Group, and RPSB Scotland will use arts and crafts to help young minds understand why rainforests are known as the ‘lungs of the earth’.
The story of what happens to food when it enters the body will be told by Live Wire Productions in an interactive fashion show sponsored by the University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health.
Visitors will discover more about happenings across the globe thanks to a giant interactive floor game - Where in the World - hosted by SCARF (Save Cash and Reduce Fuel).
The progress and pitfalls of technology will be explored in a lively discussion session with dot.rural – the University of Aberdeen research centre which focuses on how digital technologies could enhance rural life across the UK.
How Taekwon Do can help us understand the forces and energies we encounter in our everyday life will be explained in a show by Satrosphere and Dundee’s Sensation Science Centre.
And biodiversity will be the focus of workshops by Satrosphere Science Centre and the University’s Natural History Centre which will place animal and plant life under the microscope.
At Aberdeen Maritime Museum visitors will have the chance to build and programme a robot made entirely from Lego in a hands-on activity hosted by BP.
Experts from the University’s department of Archaeology will be explaining what life was like in prehistoric times with live demonstrations, real life artefacts and the chance to discover how people made and used flint tools.
Visitors will be tasked with designing a racing car and testing how far it can travel using the power of air in a challenge set by the British Science Association Aberdeen Branch and sponsored by BP.
For those who fancy testing their piloting skills in underwater volcanic territory, experts from Robert Gordon University will be on hand with Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
The wonders of the sea will be explored by RSPB Scotland and the Maritime Museum through a series of arts and crafts activities including face painting and a marine life quiz, and Waste Aware Aberdeen will be on hand explaining what happens when we recycle our rubbish.
Dr Ken Skeldon of the University of Aberdeen’s Public Engagement with Science Unit and Chair of the British Science Association's Aberdeen Branch said: “The aim of Discovery Day is to provide a diverse range of inspiring, inventive and engaging scientific activities for all ages.
“Discovery Day is one of the key activities taking place as part of our celebration of National Science and Engineering Week, and thanks to the strong input and support from key organisations across the city this year’s event is bigger and better than ever.
“We look forward to what promises to be a day jam-packed with exciting science.”
Discovery Day takes place from 10am – 4pm at Satrosphere Science Centre, The Tramsheds, 179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen and Aberdeen Maritime Museum, 52 Shiprow, Aberdeen.
Entry is free for all the family at both venues.
The finale weekend of National Science and Engineering week will also provide the chance to become inspired by some of the world’s best wildlife documentaries as the University of Aberdeen hosts the Wildscreen Aberdeen Film Festival.
Taking place on Sunday March 21 from 1 – 6pm in the Zoology Building, admission is free and films will run throughout the day. Contact the University’s School of Biological Sciences on 01224 272861 for more information.
For more information about Discovery Day, the Wildscreen Aberdeen Film Festival and any of the other events taking place as part of National Science and Engineering Week visit www.britishscienceassociation.org/aberdeen .
The National Science and Engineering Week programme is sponsored principally by BP and the University of Aberdeen through a Scottish Government Science Engagement Grant.
Research Councils UK are also a major contributor.