Mysterious creatures in the Loch, the science of learning and libel reform.. it's a mixed bunch of events this week for science events in Scotland!

Free summer science fun in Aberdeen (and beyond) for adults, families and children. There are walks, talks, drop-in sessions taking place. The messy play sounds like awesome fun.

Seen any other interesting scienc-y events that I haven't mentioned? Email me!

Interested in keeping up to date? Subscribe to this blog here by entering your email in the box on the right of the screen! 

The Winter Gardens at Duthie Park (Great if the weather is bad!)

·        Tues 15th Café Scientifique 7pm Waterstones INVERNESS, FREE, NO NEED TO BOOK

Cryptozoology: Science, Pseudoscience or Something Else? A relaxed talk and Q&A with Dr Charles Paxton, Research Fellow, School of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of St Andrews. This discussion will explore the status of cryptozoology and ask whether the hunt for mythical creatures like the Loch Ness Monster is worthwhile.

·        Wed 16th Café Scientifique 7pm Waterstones Union Bridge ABERDEEN, FREE, NO NEED TO BOOK

The Importance of Character Strengths for Learning and Success. Enjoy some science with a coffee. Speaker Nicola Gibson will discuss why your intellect is not the only thing crucial for successful learning - find out more about the other factors involved. Your personality and the way you navigate your social environment may be just as important. 

·        Thurs 17th - Bringing Libel Reform to Scotland (EDINBURGH) 

The Defamation Act 2013 must be extended to Scotland. Can you join us in Edinburgh on Thursday 17th July at 5 pm?

We are bringing together lawyers, journalists, bloggers, academics, authors and members of civil society who would ike to be involved in a campaign to bring libel reform to Scotland. We want to gather examples of the libel 'chill' where journalists, consumer groups or scientists in Scotland have been discouraged from publishing on matters in the public interest. We would love to see as many of you as possible there.

It’s at the Saltire Society at 9 Fountain Close, 22 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TF at 5.00 pm on Thursday 17th July. Please RVSP to cpeters@senseaboutscience.org

FOR KIDS AND FAMILIES

·        EVERY DAY - Satrosphere Science Centre (££) SCIENCE IN A SPORTS KIT

Satrosphere are celebrating all things sport this summer, taking a deeper look at the science behind sport, competition, and physical activity in our Summer of Sport Science, featuring Science in a Sport’s Kit!

Our summer programming includes brand new, on-the-floor activities and challenges testing balance, endurance, speed, strength, reaction, coordination and rhythm. A new quiz and workshops have been developed exploring a range of science and sport topics. (Great coffee shop too!) 

·        WED 16th Wild Dolphin Activity Day 14:30 - 17:00 Bridge of Don Library (DROP IN)

In partnership with Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC), Aberdeen City Libraries will be holding free children’s events. The activities for children of all ages will take place in libraries participating in the Wild Dolphins School Dolphin Trail and will offer an opportunity for children to hold real dolphin skulls and bones, take part in colouring in activities and find out more about dolphins from a WDC volunteer. 

·        FRI 18th - LET'S GET MESSY - Play 1.30-3.30 Union Terrace Gardens No need to book

Join Aberdeen Play Forum's Play Rangers for extra messy play in Union Terrace Gardens.
Children will be able to play in a muddy puddle, mix up their own 'magic' potions and have fun in the 'Mud Pie' kitchen. You will get wet and messy! Please wear old clothing/waterproofs. Suitable for children of all ages.

·        SAT 19th - Day Tripper Family Fun event 10:30-12:30 Aberdeen Maritime Museum (DROP IN)

Join our Victorian tour guide for an enchanting storytelling tour of the Royal Deeside exhibition. Then make you own personalised luggage tag ready for your own summer adventure. Story tours will be held at 10:40am, 11:20am and 12pm. Sign-up on the day. All activities are free and drop-in. They are aimed at families with primary school aged children, but everyone is welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times

·        SUN 20th - Duthie Park Ranger Service Environment Day - 12:00- 4.00 Old Bowling Green Duthie Park

Join the Duthie Park Rangers and Special Guests for an afternoon of fabulous family fun!

Not interested in a talk? Why not visit Aberdeen Maritime Museum, the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens or Duthie Park (all COMPLETELY FREE)! There are organised walks taking place around Aberdeen all summer. There is a small cost for them but you might find something new! 

Tune in to Shmu FM  at 2-3 on a Tuesday  (or listen again online) to hear the new TALKING SCIENCE Radio show and hear about the latest science in Aberdeen along with news, competitions and science you can try at home! 

Seen any other interesting scienc-y events that I haven't mentioned? Email me!

Interested in keeping up to date? Subscribe to this blog here by entering your email in the box on the right of the screen! 

Free COOL stuff in Aberdeen this week 16-22 June!

Looking for something new and FREE to do this week in Aberdeen .. there's LOADS on so there are no excuses for being bored!  

Monday 16th June - Cafe Philosophique 'Is Equality Good for Us?  The Blue Lamp 7pm, FREE just turn up! 

A short, informal talk and open discussion about philosophy! A great bunch of folk go along to this event. It's really chilled out and this talk should be really interesting! The talk will be delivered by Dr Beth Lord from the University of Aberdeen. Don't forget to get your free ticket for the finale of this season of Cafe Phi from the Belmont Filmhouse (27 June) for the 'Where does Scott Pilgrim Live?' with Professor Roy Cook all the way from the University of Minnesota! 

Tuesday 17th June - Shmu FM The very first 'Talking Science' Radio show! 2-3pm

Tune in for the very first in the series of Talking Science. A brand new Shmu radio show... brought to you by the Public Engagement with Research team at the University of Aberdeen (that includes me... :-/ ). I will be super impressed if anyone guesses the 'sound of science' challenge!!!  

Wednesday 18 June - Cafe Scientifique ' Danger High Voltage'  Tesla's Contribution to Society (FEATURING A TESLA COIL DEMO!) 7pm Waterstones FREE 

An informal short talk (30mins ish) with a live demo followed by a Q&A. Dr Ken Skeldon will be delivering this event (he's done science shows around the globe!) Plenty of people come on their own to these events so don't feel uncomfortable about just turning up. Coffee and cake available to buy from the Costa cafe.

At the weekend.. 

Why not take part in a 'Civic Hacking' event and help improve the city of Aberdeen? (FREE but registration required) 

Saturday 21 June - Meet the Scientist event during MND Awareness Week 

Meet and hear from researchers looking at Motor Neurone Disease. They will be in Satrosphere all afternoon delivering talks and sharing their work! (there is a small charge for the entrance fee to Satrosphere but it's TOTALLY worth it and their cafe is ACE). 

Visit the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens (that are looking beautiful at the moment) or Duthie Park (yes, all FREE)! 

See the Gray's School of Art Degree Show? (not science, but plenty of awesome design to be seen there!) Open 10-5 on Saturday and Sunday

Exhibitions..

Satrosphere Science Centre have loads of events and exhibitions going on throughout the week and weekend including their 'minibeast little scientist days', the 'grey matters' family show and the 'we are aliens' planetarium show! Some charges do apply and check here for full details.

Seventeen (Belmont street) 'Breathless Breastless' A breast cancer awareness art exhibition (10 -5 every day, 10-4 Sunday)

Kings Museum, Old Aberdeen, Exploring the concept of time 'Victorian Time: Spirit of the Age' (10-4 Monday -Friday, 11-4 Saturday) 

Seen any others that I haven't mentioned? Email me!

Subscribe to updates by putting your email address in the box in the top right of the page! 

Cafe Controversial Aberdeen: GM Crops - Raking Up the Facts

I attended the Cafe Controversial event on GM Crops at Satrosphere Science Centre yesterday evening. I tweeted the talk and discussion and have storified it below for those that are interested. There will also be a podcast of the talk if you want to listen to the whole thing (I can't type fast enough to capture everything!)

It was a great debate and I was pleased that some debate started on twitter as to why views on GM differ in Europe vs the USA.

These events are free to go along to and very welcoming. I am biased as I am part of the team that organises Cafe events in Aberdeen.. but heyho! I've included a link to the programme below.

(mostly) FREE stuff to do in Aberdeen this week (April 10-17th) !

• A talk about Fungi (TONIGHT) 7.30 pm Zoology Lecture Theatre Tillydrone Avenue ABERDEEN

This talk introduces the diversity of the kingdom of the fungi and explains how these extraordinary organisms are functioning all around us.By turn fascinating or feared; hopefully you will leave thinking the fungi more friend than foe.

• Simon Singh is here this weekend for an event with Aberdeen Skeptics in the Pub and British Science Association (but unfortunately this event is sold out already)

• Visit the Mission Possible Exhibition at Satrosphere (EVERYDAY!)

You might normally associate biology with how your heart works, or with the creepy crawlies found at the bottom of your garden but this exhibition explains how biology is related to our everyday lives through agriculture, biotechnology, our food and our well-being. There's a picture of a Highland cow too so it must be good.

• CafeMED Monday 6pm is All about how we use blood donations (where do they go?) FREE 6pm Suttie Centre 

It's 100 years sience the first blood transfusion. With over two million blood donations in the UK last year alone, we'll discuss what happens to donated blood and the pros and cons of transfusion. With Professor Mark Vickers and Dr Henry Watson. Cafe MED is a short talk followed by a Q&A there are refreshments available.

Booking for the May Festival 2014 is now open. Get tickets now for things like BRIGHT CLUB 2014 (where researchers do comedy) and check out all the MAY-HEM events coming up! 

Not interested in a talk? Why not visit Aberdeen Maritime Museum, the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens or Duthie Park (all COMPLETELY FREE)! 

Seen any other interesting events that I haven't mentioned? Email me!

Interested in keeping up to date? Subscribe to this blog here by entering your email in the box on the right of the screen! 

Things to do in Aberdeen at the beginning of April

Looking for something new in Aberdeen this April?... Here's a round up of exciting goings on that you might want to check out... 

Friday 4th April - Engineering in the Ancient World: Building the Parthenon 

New Kings 10 7.30 pm- Free Tickets here

A FREE (whoop) talk about engineering in history on a Friday night. No prior knowledge of subjects required. 

7th -11th April - Easter Science Club 

Satrosphere Science Centre

Various workshops, fun and games with science for kids of all ages. More info here.

Saturday 12th April - The Simpsons and their Mathematical Secrets with author Simon Singh 

Cineworld at the beach, 4pm. Small charge for this event - tickets ESSENTIAL!!

A talk followed by a Q&A. Suitable for adults and teenagers. Book signing will be taking place after the event in the Cineworld bar. Event organised by Aberdeen Skeptics in the Pub and British Science Association Branch in Aberdeen. 

Not interested in a talk? Why not visit Aberdeen Maritime Museum, the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens or Duthie Park (all COMPLETELY FREE)! 

Seen any other interesting events that I haven't mentioned? Email me!

Interested in keeping up to date? Subscribe to this blog here by entering your email in the box on the right of the screen! 

National Science and Engineering Week in Aberdeen

National Science and Engineering Week starts this week in the UK.

There's a whole programme of interesting speakers, workshops, hands on activities for people of all ages covering a HUGE array of topics taking place all over the UK.

There are lots of free events in Aberdeen and there is a lovely shiny brochure! All put together by the British Science Association Branch in Aberdeen (disclosure, I am a branch member).

Nearly all events are free and most don't even require booking so there is no excuse not to try out something new this week.  

If getting outdoors is your thing why not join the forestry commission in the woods? or take a walk in the gardens? Or if you want to experience some science while relaxing with a coffee then there are talks from researchers covering the latest findings and thoughts on topics such as Parkinson's Disease to talks on the history of how we mapped the globe. These are all taking place at various locations in the city every night next week. We will even have a visit from the children's book author Lucy Hawking (daughter of Stephen).

Don't miss Discovery Day either, this is a chance to visit Satrosphere Science Centre (FOR FREE) and mingle with scientists and researchers, watch some science shows and try your hands at some fun activities and exciting challenges.

Hope to see you there! 

Free COOL stuff in Aberdeen this week!

Looking for something new and FREE to do this week in Aberdeen? 

Tuesday 18th Feb - Cafe Controversial 'buy one throw one out' Satrosphere Science Centre 7pm, just turn up! 

A short, informal talk about how we solve the problems of food waste - is it all the fault of supermarkets? Talk (30mins ish) followed by a lengthier Q&A with coffee (and awesome cakes and tray bakes available to buy). No prior knowledge of subjects required. 

Wednesday 19th Feb - Cafe Scientifique 'What the Frack?' Waterstones, Union Street 7pm, just turn up!

A short, informal talk (30mins ish) followed by a lengthier Q&A with tea and coffee available to buy. No prior knowledge of subjects required. There should be an interesting discussion at this one!

Thursday 20th Feb - Aberdeen Skeptics in the Pub 'Why women want fake looking breasts' The Bar Below, Belmont Cinema, 7.45 pm, just turn up!

A straight talking short talk (45mins) followed by a Q&A with alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks available. Suitable for an over 18s audience due to adult themes. Plenty of people come on their own to these events so don't feel uncomfortable about just turning up!

At the weekend.. Why not visit the Aberdeen Maritime Museum for an exhibition on astronomy (FREE), or the Cruickshank Botanic Gardens or Duthie Park (yes, all FREE)! 

Monday 24th Feb - Cafe MED launch event - Men and Cancer

6pm, Suttie Centre Cafe Foresterhill Health Campus

Hear from researchers and clinicians in the same place to discuss the past, future and present of dealing with male cancer and how those affected and their families cope. 

Short, informal talks (15 mins each) followed by a lengthier Q&A with coffee and tea available to buy. No prior knowledge of subjects required. 

Seen any others that I haven't mentioned? Email me!

Location:Aberdeen,United Kingdom