Members of the public are being invited to vote for items to be buried in a time capsule within the redeveloped Aberdeen Science Centre, choosing from a list compiled by school children in the city.
Pupils from three local schools were asked to pick items that reflect life in Aberdeen in 2019 as part of a competition organised by Aberdeen Science Centre and Bancon Construction, with all entries completed by St Peter’s Primary School.
The centre is undergoing a multi-million-pound redevelopment and due to reopen in summer 2020, with Bancon Construction currently carrying out works at The Tramsheds on Constitution Street.
Technology, smartphones, currency and toys were some of the most popular suggestions, with pupils also penning letters about their lives in the city to be read by children of the future in years to come.
Members of the public can vote for the items they want to be stored and have a look at a selection of the submissions for free from Saturday, October 12 until Saturday, October 26 at Aberdeen Science Centre’s temporary space at 107 George Street, Aberdeen.
Liz Hodge, chief executive of Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We want to bury a time capsule for the children of the future in Aberdeen created by the children of today, so we are very pleased to have the input of local pupils on this project.
“We knew technology would be a popular choice, but some of the other suggestions took us completely by surprise – we didn’t expect a hoover! Now we’ve compiled and shortlisted the entries, it’s up to the public to vote on what the contents should be.”
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.
Bancon Construction’s managing director, Gavin Currie said: “Aberdeen Science Centre’s redevelopment is a really exciting and important project for the city and it’s fitting we mark it with a time capsule representing life today.
“We look forward to finalising the items and burying the capsule within the structure at a ceremony in the coming months ahead of the centre reopening in summer 2020.”
As well as being able to place a vote in the centre, people can also make their selection on Aberdeen Science Centre’s social media channels.
Voting will close on Saturday, October 26, with the winning items placed into a secure capsule then buried in the structure of the centre at a ceremony later this year.
The school pupils who submitted entries to the competition will receive a visit to the science centre in 2020.
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.
Fundraising is ongoing to secure a further £1.25m to ensure quality of programmes and delivery to enhance the overall visitor experience at the venue.
The centre’s vision and mission are to inspire a lifelong interest in science by creating engaging experiences, with an ambition to be recognised as the Regional STEM Hub that connects, engages and works with members of the public, industry, academia and government to highlight and promote STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths).
For more information on Aberdeen Science Centre, visit www.aberdeensciencecentre.org
Aberdeen Science Centre