TechFest 2017 gets underway this week (Monday, September 11) as TV wildlife cameraman and presenter Doug Allan shares his experiences with some of the world’s most charismatic and exciting animals.
Doug, who has worked on shows including ‘Blue Planet’, ‘Planet Earth’ and ‘Ocean Giants’, has experienced danger face to face from deep underwater to the high peaks of the Himalayas to capture footage of animals.
Natural Born Thrillers at Aberdeen University on Monday, September 11, promises a unique opportunity to hear personal recollections from Doug including being eye to eye with the biggest whales in the world and avoiding being eaten by polar bears.
Doug will also be selling copies of his book, Freeze Frame – a Wildlife Cameraman’s Adventures on Ice, on the night.
Doug said: “My favourite assignments are with challenging animals in hazardous environments. By talking at TechFest, I want to inspire others to follow their own aspirations.”
TechFest 2017, the North-east’s annual festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), will run from September 11 to September 25.
One of the aims of TechFest 2017, which is supported by joint principal funders Shell and BP, is to engage young people in the four main STEM subjects and encourage them to go on to follow a career which utilises these skills by demonstrating they are fun and relevant in day to day life.
Alies Bartelds, acting managing director of TechFest, said: “We are very proud to open TechFest 2017 with a programme which is jam-packed with workshops, shows and events for people of all ages looking to be inspired, educated and entertained.
“Our opening event with Doug Allan is a must for any wildlife enthusiast and a great opportunity to hear from a man who has experienced the dangers of the natural world first-hand.
“It’s a very exciting start to what we’re sure is going to be another fantastic TechFest, and we look forward to welcoming people from Aberdeen and beyond to see just for themselves how fascinating STEM subjects can be.”
Highlights from this year’s festival include Dr Trina Dinnis introducing the audience to mathematical modelling and how it relates to the real world in ‘The Mathematics of Why I Don’t Have a Boyfriend’ (September 13), author Nick Arnold presents fun for all the family in ‘The Horrible Science Show’ (September 23) and there’s even a social walking event using an app designed by academics at the University of Aberdeen [m]apping Aberdeen (September 24).
The festival will close with a talk from Jamie Woodruff, one of the world’s leading authorities on hacking and cyber security, who has uncovered holes in numerous high-profile operations, including how Kim Kardashian’s website was putting her fans’ data at serious risk.
In ‘Social Engineering – Manipulation for Information’ at University of Aberdeen on Monday, September 25, Jamie will discuss how easy it is to break into a company’s website using social engineering techniques and how to prevent these attacks. He will also show the audience a live hacking demonstration.
Alies added: “None of this would be possible without the help we receive from our sponsors and supporters, in particular our joint principal funders Shell and BP, whose continued backing allows us to engage people of all ages in the fantastic opportunities that STEM can offer.”
TechFest 2017 is expected to attract thousands of visitors from across Aberdeen City and Shire from September 11 to September 25. To view the public programme please visit www.techfest.org.uk
- Natural Born Thrillers starts at 7pm on Monday, September 11, at the Arts Lecture Theatre at Aberdeen University. Tickets are £6 and £4.50 for concessions. Book tickets online at www.boxofficeaberdeen.com or call Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122.
For more information on TechFest 2017, visit www.techfest.org.uk.