Free Summer Event!

12 - 30 July 2010, 10:00 - 16:00

Venue: David Welch Winter Gardens
(12th - 16th July and 19th - 23rd July)
10am till 4pm

University of Aberdeen Natural History Centre
(26th - 30th July)
10am till 4pm

FREE SUMMER EVENT
Come and experience the wonderful world of nature.

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 to a wildlife database during 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+)

Friday 2-4pm - find out about the animals of the deep sea and how they have adapted to survive in that environment. Then there'll be a chance to design and build your own deep sea creature.

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 and constellations.  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

Free Admission. No need to book. Weekdays 10am to 4pm. Something for all.