‘CHEERS!’ TO DUNDEE SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Published On Fri 31 Oct 2014 by Grant Hill
Dundee Science Festival organisers clinked glasses today to toast the launch of the biggest event in its five year history.
The festival, which will run from Saturday 1 until Sunday 16 November 2014, is a two-week city-wide celebration of science, providing fun, entertainment, inspiration and curiosity for all ages. With a new ‘personality’, the festival will host a staggering 112 events this year, twice as many as last year.
Astoundingly the University of Dundee will be running, participating in and hosting half of the events over the next two weeks.
The University’s offerings include the chance to discover nature on your doorstep with exhibition and activities at the Botanic Garden, including the chance to crown the Champion Tree or learn about how plants survive in extreme environments.
Three events at the University on the first day of the festival will bring science to life through art and history, and culminate with a special Saturday Evening Lecture.
There will be laughs aplenty as researchers will be joined by others who will be stepping up to the mic to deliver laugh out loud stand-up comedy at Bright Club. A focus on books will bring a visit from TV and radio presenter Adam Rutherford, a return to the world of ‘1984’ in a book club hosted at the George Orwell pub on Perth Road and some creative Science Stories.
The University’s ground-breaking research in forensic anthropology, health, physics and life sciences will be showcased throughout the festival at free events where everyone is welcome to attend.
Public Outreach co-ordinator Dr Jon Urch said, “This year has seen a massive expansion in Dundee Science Festival and it’s great that the University of Dundee is once again at the heart of the festival.
“This means that we will have something for everyone with events for schools, children, teenagers and adults, whether you’d like to know a little more about science in everyday life or are science mad!”
The programme was unveiled today at Boudoir Bar and Coffee House in Dundee, which will host ‘Chemistry of Cocktails’ on the evening of Friday 7 November 2014. Two of Scotland’s finest science communicators and a professional mixologist will explain why drinks should be shaken and not stirred, how you can extract DNA from a strawberry and why aged whiskies taste better.
Festival audiences will also have the chance to explore everything from the world of forensic science and dementia to the role of optimism in sporting success and the wonders of the night sky. Meanwhile, families can try their hand at making bat boxes in Dundee’s Baxter Park, building brush robots in the Wellgate Shopping Centre and getting fully immersed in science fun at free family days at Dundee Science Centre.
The festival will also fuse science with food, music and art, with an opportunity to enjoy wine-tasting and dine out in a completely darkened restaurant, or enjoy some ‘Brainsex’, with an irreverent combination of comedy, video, songs, game shows and experiments.
An array of exhibitions have also been lined up, exploring everything from dinosaurs and animations to brains and beauty, available to view at venues across the city from Centrespace, Visual Research Centre and the University of Dundee to Roseangle Arts Café Gallery.
As well as taking place in over 20 different venues throughout Dundee, festival events will branch out well beyond the city centre, with the science behind the perfect brew being held in the stunning Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, with ‘Around the world in 80 teas’.
Dundee Science Festival is supported by the Scottish Government, Dundee City Council, University of Dundee, Homecoming Scotland and EventScotland. Other supporters include Skills Development Scotland, The Gannochy Trust and Royal Society of Chemistry.
For more information on Dundee Science Festival telephone 01382 228800.
ENDS
NOTE TO EDITORS
Scottish Government
The Scottish Government’s core purpose is to create a more successful country, with opportunities for everyone to flourish, through sustainable growth. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) are central to this aspiration, and events such as Dundee Science Festival give local scientists a chance to tell people about the cutting edge, world-leading work they do, and the benefits and opportunities of a career in STEM.
Dundee City Council
Dundee City Council Education Department is proud to support Dundee Science Festival. Our pupils are fascinated by new discoveries and technologies. Through Curriculum for Excellence in our schools, children and young people will develop a secure understanding of important scientific concepts and a lifelong interest in science and its applications. The festival offers the opportunity to engage with a range of partners who are involved in cutting edge, world-leading work – inspiring children and young people to develop their interest and aspiration in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is proud to support and participate in Dundee Science Festival. The University is an internationally renowned institution with an ambitious agenda for transformation. Our global and local remit drives a wide-ranging programme of public engagement which makes a significant contribution to the cultural life of the city and its reputation in the world. Our staff and students are delighted to share and discuss their world-leading research and knowledge with the many thousands of visitors to the festival.
EventScotland
EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events. By developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events, EventScotland is helping to raise Scotland’s international profile and boost the economy by attracting more visitors. For further information about EventScotland, its funding programmes and latest event news visit www.EventScotland.org. Follow EventScotland on Twitter @EventScotNews. EventScotland is part of VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation which markets Scotland as a tourism destination across the world, gives support to the tourism industry and brings sustainable tourism growth to Scotland.