Space, digital technology and a science-themed quiz are to combine at Aberdeen Science Centre to create an action-packed programme for the October school holidays.
Thousands of visitors are expected to visit Aberdeen Science Centre’s temporary space at 107 George Street for a series of themed events, workshops and hands-on exhibits.
On Tuesday, October 15, the centre will host a Discover Digital – Self Management and Care session.
This themed day will be dedicated to health and wellbeing, looking at how digital tools such as apps can be used to help us look after ourselves.
Organisations including BCS Health and Care Scotland, NHS Grampian, Nesta, British Heart Foundation, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Robert Gordon University will have stalls, quizzes, talks and hands-on activities.
Limited free tickets – including admission to the centre – are available on Eventbrite.
Later that evening, the centre will host a Science After Dark pub quiz for adults keen to put their science and non-science knowledge to the test.
Supported by Maths Week Scotland, the night will include a guest appearance from Dr Ben Martin from the University of Aberdeen, who will discuss the science of sending secret messages in ancient and modern times.
Entry is free and open to over-16s.
Then on Wednesday, October 16, Aberdeen Science Centre is hosting Restart a Heart Day.
This annual initiative is led by the Resuscitation Council (UK) in partnership with The British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross, St John Ambulance, and Yorkshire Ambulance Service.
The aim is to improve the low numbers of people surviving out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, with organisations all over the world coming together to increase public awareness of cardiac arrests and increase the number of people trained in life saving CPR by organising and facilitating training events.
Final year dental students from Aberdeen Institute of Dentistry and trainers from the University of Aberdeen and the Public Dental Service will be running training sessions for children and adults from 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Booking is not necessary and normal entry prices apply.
Elsewhere in the centre, the New Space Race activities have been created to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, which has sparked renewed interest in moon exploration.
Visitors can join in with a Plan to Land workshop, which will challenge them to work in groups to design and build a lander that will safely deliver astronauts to the moon, where they will sleep, eat and work for up to five years.
Highlights include rockets launching, the technology of spacesuits and satellites, working and living in space and a parachute demonstration to show how astronauts return to Earth.
Little ones under the age of five can enjoy listening to the story of On the Moon, followed by a craft session to design and colour in spacesuits and astronauts.
Aberdeen Science Centre is also hosting an endangered musical instrument exhibition until November 8, as part of this year’s SoundFestival.
Visitors can explore the science behind the oboe in this education and interactive exhibition, which will be supported by an oboe performance on Thursday, October 24 at 11am and 12noon.
The standard entry fees apply as usual.
Elaine Holland, manager of Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We have put together a varied programme of interactive workshops, exhibits and events to keep visitors of all ages entertained throughout the October holidays.
“Visitors to the centre over the next two weeks can also take the opportunity to vote for the items they think should be stored in our commemorative time capsule which will be buried at our permanent home at Constitution Street.”
The centre is undergoing a multi-million-pound redevelopment and is due to reopen in summer 2020, with Bancon Construction carrying out works at The Tramsheds on Constitution Street.
The centre’s redevelopment includes an extension and creation of a new mezzanine floor – almost doubling the exhibition space – and exposing the roof structure to allow natural light to flood into the building.
Ahead of the centre’s reopening, visitors can continue to enjoy interactive exhibits, inspiring activities and topical science events home at 107 George Street, Aberdeen, while the work is being carried out.
The £4.7m redevelopment has been made possible by support and funding from the Inspiring Science Fund – a partnership between the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome.
Additional support has been granted by Opportunity North East (ONE) and Aberdeen City Council.
