TechFest in September
 

Press Release Details

JOIN TOP MATHEMATICIAN ON A JOURNEY THROUGH SYMMETRY

One of the country's leading mathematicians will take a unique look at symmetry when he visits Aberdeen this week to take part in Techfest in September - Aberdeen's annual festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Professor Marcus du Sautoy – a professor of mathematics at the University of Oxford who has recently appeared on TV shows including The One Show, Horizon and Mind Games – will analyse symmetry's significance to the way we interpret the world around us.

He will explain why we are drawn to symmetrical objects, from the sphere to the pyramid.

The name of the lecture, Finding Moonshine, is a direct reference to Professor du Sautoy's latest book, which also focuses on symmetry and mathematics.

The evening lecture will take place at the University of Aberdeen's Fraser Noble Building this Thursday (September 17) at 7.30pm.

Tickets, costing £5 for adults and £3.50 for children and concessions (plus booking fee), are available by calling Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122 or visiting www.boxofficeaberdeen.com 

Liz Hodge, Managing Director of TechFest-SetPoint, which runs the festival, said: "Marcus is very much the mathematician of the moment and it is a great honour to have him lecture at this year's event.

"Symmetry really is everywhere we look and this lecture will try to explain its importance and also try to clarify why humans are so drawn to the phenomenon. Book early to avoid disappointment!"

TechFest In September is once again being supported by joint principal funders Shell and BP, demonstrating their investment in a STEM-literate nation and commitment to the future development of the global oil and gas industry.

The festival is now in its 16th year of engaging young people in the four main STEM subjects and encouraging them to go on to follow a career which utilises these skills, as well as instilling the relevance of STEM in adult life.

The public programme ranges from loud and lively shows aimed at children to thought-provoking lunchtime and evening events for adults, featuring everything from exploding vegetables through to a presentation on the connection between energy, astronomy and cosmology.

Other highlights include a family activity weekend at the Beach Ballroom and Leisure Centre, while the high profile presenters include wildlife expert Saba Douglas-Hamilton, of the BBC's Big Cat Diaries and The Secret Life of Elephants.

With more events, workshops and shows than ever, this year's TechFest opened on Friday and is set to attract a record 20,000 visitors by September 28.

As well as the public programme, thousands of pupils are also attending a host of science and mathematics-themed TechFest events for schools.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of TechFest-SetPoint by The BIG Partnership.  For more information please contact Shona Hendry on 01224 615003 or 07739 314158 or Dave Macdermid on 01224 650406 or 07710 580148.

NOTES TO EDITORS

  • TechFest-SetPoint is a registered charity based at the University of Aberdeen.
  • Through a programme of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities - of which TechFest In September is the main event – the aim is to engage, challenge, inform and inspire young people and encourage them to choose a career which utilises these skills.
  • TechFest 2009 started on the last weekend of Offshore Europe and runs from September 11 to 28.
  • The festival is being supported by joint principal funders BP and Shell, with additional funding from EventScotland, Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Councils, the Scottish Government and the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

 15th Sep 2009

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