The family-friendly festival of events returns from 13-18 October with an expanded schedule of activities, workshops and exhibitions taking place across a range of local venues with this year’s theme focusing on health and wellbeing.
Now in its seventh year, the festival, organised by Stirling Council and partners, including the University of Stirling and with funding support from the Scottish Government, also features a new programme of events for adults in addition to a bumper selection of events for families and children of all ages, many of which are free.
Events will take place across a range of local venues including Tolbooth Stirling, The Albert Halls, Codebase, The Thistles Shopping Centre, The Smith Museum & Art Gallery and Stirling Observatory (within the Stirling Highland Hotel), as well as some Stirling Council libraries.
'Inspiring fun and learning'
Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Gerry McGarvey said: “Stirling Science Festival has firmly established itself as a beloved fixture of our events programme that offers so much for families to do during the school holidays.
“This year’s programme is the biggest and best yet since the first instalment in 2019, which is really exciting and shows the growing popularity of the festival. We’ll have fun and fascinating activities, interactive workshops and much more for everyone to enjoy.
“We’re lucky to have top-class venues in Tolbooth Stirling and The Albert Halls but I’m equally proud that the programme continues to go into the hearts of our vibrant communities through venues such as our local libraries.
“Stirling Science Festival aims to inspire fun and learning for children and young people in particular and with our expanded programme this year we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors and adults to engage with the wonderful world of science and nature.”
Highlights of the programme include the University of Stirling’s interactive exhibition on the evolutionary process and how it affects life on earth as we understand it.
'Inspiring the next generation of scientists'
Dr Amina Moss, Lecturer in Aquaculture Nutrition at the University of Stirling said: “The Stirling Science Festival is a brilliant opportunity for us to share the exciting research happening at the University with the wider community. We are delighted to be part of an event that sparks curiosity and inspires the next generation of scientists across Stirling.”
Other highlights of the Festival include:
The Big Dig at Woodend Motte, Balfron
Join Dr Murray Cook in Balfron’s first ever archaeological dig at Woodend Motte, the village’s oldest structure.
Stenlorigma Code Breaking Workshop
Aimed at young people 12+, participants will learn about how code and encryption worked in the past in this popular long-standing festival fixture. They'll then work in teams to play a STEM game to look for 'enemy' submarines using morse code and Enigma-like machines made in Bannockburn Makerspace.
MŮO exhibition
MŮO is an immersive audiovisual installation by Lomond Campbell which makes use of muon detectors, sensing harmless radiation in the atmosphere. This radiation is created by cosmic rays, which in turn are the result of powerful nuclear events such as black holes, stars exploding and galaxies colliding.
Menopausal Voice Change
A workshop for menopausal voice users - singers, public speakers, lecturers, and teachers. The session is suitable for anyone interested in learning more about the voice and hormonal vocal change, and would be of most use to adults experiencing menopause or who will experience this in the future. (Suggested age 16+).
Food waste - The Journey of Your Food
A matching activity for the carbon impact of food waste and its journey from field to fork. Interactive and aimed at children with different levels of comprehension so that younger and older children can join in.
The programme is available at www.stirlingsciencefestival.org and will be updated as further events are confirmed.