This year’s vibrant programme explores how science lies at the heart of everything in an entertaining and engaging series of events, exhibitions and happenings. Amanda Tyndall, Deputy Director of Edinburgh International Science Festival, said: “This year’s Science Festival will see hundreds of the best and brightest minds in science and technology gather in Edinburgh to debate and celebrate some of the biggest and sometimes controversial ideas in science. For two weeks the city is the perfect melting pot for discussion as we explore the ideas that place science smack-bang at the centre of all of our lives”.
Summerhall, Edinburgh’s creative technology hub, will be a major new venue for the Festival. During the day, the venue will be packed full of shows and workshops for children, families and teenagers while the evenings will come alive with a unique and inspiring programme for adults. And, to top things off, the Edinburgh Mini Maker Faire will be taking over the building to close the festival.
Some 2014 family programme highlights include a spectacular scientific adventure for curious kids at the City Art Centre and Making It…at the Museum where a series of purpose-built interactive pods showcasing everything from 3D printing to open source architecture, electronics to DIY biology take centre stage at the National Museum of Scotland. This is complemented by Making It…at Summerhall which offers a series of hands-on workshops led by expert Makers from across the UK. Summerhall also hosts some of the best science entertainers from around the world with shows running daily and there are also packed programmes from Festival city partners including the National Museum of Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The University of Edinburgh.
For adults GastroFest, a mini festival on the science of food and drink, explores the importance of science in our lives in the most delicious way possible. For those who like their science sociable there’s LateLab, an inspirational wunderkammer of talks, performances, interactives and installations. Scotland Decides focuses on the big question facing our country and bringing together scientists, politicians, academics and the public to discuss and envision the shapes this future could take. There’s even some bite-sizes science designed to fit into your lunch break with a series of hour long discussions on some fascinating topics. The programme also includes appearances from festival favourites Richard Wiseman, Hermione Cockburn, Robin Ince, Helen Storey, Peter Lovatt (AKA Dr Dance) and Jim Al-Khalili.