16 June 2011
Build robots and experience life in a parallel universe at the Pop Up Science Museum
University of Dundee graduand Tim Pryde will teach children and adults how to make their own robot when a Science Museum 'pops up' at Dundee Contemporary Arts this Friday.
The opportunity for visitors of all ages to build a remote control robot is just one of the workshops and demonstrations taking place at the Pop Up Science Museum. Other attractions include the opportunity to find out what your life is like in a parallel universe.
The initiative is part of the Small Society Lab collaboration between DCA and the Product Design research studio at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design.
Tim, who will graduate from the Product Design programme at DJCAD next week, is the designer of the coin-operated ‘Don-8R’ which has attracted worldwide attention. When users insert a coin the cute robot springs to life, delighting those in the vicinity and raising money for charity at the same time. It proved one of the most talked-about exhibits at the recent Degree Show at DJCAD.
Dr Jon Rogers, Director of the Product Design programme said, 'The Pop Up Science Museum is a great, fun way for is to explore how we can better connect our research to the people of Dundee.
'The aim of the Small Society Lab is to facilitate and enable creative change in Dundee through direct connection to people and their ideas. We believe that navigating a changing world is better done with artists, designers and technologists working on common problems.
'In this case, they will be doing it in collaboration with the people of Dundee. We value responding to people’s needs; that doing small things can change the world; that ideas are what make us who we are.'
The Small Society Lab will run throughout June and July. It will explore and make use of community-based art, design and technology practice to support creative change in the city, through workshops, talks, films, walks and activities.
The project hopes to spark outlets for creativity. It seeks new opportunities to improve public services, business opportunities and people’s lives through small changes to the community. Local residents and business are urged to get involved, attend events and help to make exciting things happen.
The Product Design Research Studio explores digital products for connecting communities. By engaging with the community, the team will be able to test theories, explore territories, prototype and simulate futures with the people of Dundee. The Small Society Lab will be based in the Visual Research Centre, part of DJCAD, located on the lower floors of DCA from 7th June to 29th July.
Researchers and students will host workshops about their work, and there will also be a drop-in live lab with digital products and research objects for the public to play with. The team will be at hand to discuss any digital issues that users may have.
Project partners include: RCUK Bespoke, RCUK TOTeM, AHRC Participants United, Mozilla Labs, Microsoft Research, NCR, and RNIB
A barbeque will follow the Pop Up Science Museum event, which takes place from 12-6pm on Friday, 17th June. It is open to all, and bookings can be made by contacting DCA on 01382 909900.
More information is available at http://smallsocietylab.dundee.ac.uk/popupsciencemuseum.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
