TechFest in September
 

Press Release Details

FUN AT TECHFEST FAMILY ACTIVITY WEEKEND

 Build a flying helicopter, design an ultra strength bridge and race a super speedy buggy - these are just some of the challenges in store at the Techfest Family Activity Weekend over September 19 and 20.

Aberdeen's annual festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will stage family-friendly activities, three action-packed shows and a host of fascinating exhibitions at Aberdeen Beach Ballroom and Leisure Centre from 9.30am until 4.30pm each day.

Highlights of the Family Activity Weekend, sponsored by Marathon, include:

·         Dr Woody's Treemendous Tree Trick  - Meet Dr Woody and his marvellous machine and learn how to tackle the effects of climate change

·         Exploding Vegetables and Fuels of the Future - an explosive show, presented by Scientific Sue and her pet dragon, which looks at the fuels of the past and potential fuels of the future

·         The Real Physics of the Circus  - join Guinness World Record holding juggler James Soper discovering the scientific secrets that make circus tricks possible, using spectacular juggling and balancing tricks

In addition, there are 30 workshops presented in a fun and accessible way which cover a range of science, technology, maths and engineering topics, including the chance to build your own lighthouse, produce a weather forecast, measure your carbon footprint or hold a real rock from the moon at TechFest's own NASA moon rock station.

The shows run throughout the day and the majority of events at the festival are drop-in, although a small number of activities, indicated in the programme, need to be booked on arrival at the event.

Liz Hodge, Managing Director of TechFest-Setpoint, the charity which runs TechFest In September, said: "Our Family Activity Weekend is always great fun and very popular, giving mums, dads, grannies and grandads the chance to learn and explore along with the youngsters, and help them understand how science and technology has an effect on our day to day lives."

Prices start at £4 for an individual day pass, while a day pass for four is £15 and a group weekend pass is £25. Under 3s are free. Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122 or by visiting www.boxofficeaberdeen.com

This month's TechFest In September 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.

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.

The two-week festival 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 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.

Among the high profile presenters is wildlife expert Saba Douglas-Hamilton, of the BBC's Big Cat Diaries and The Secret Life of Elephants.

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.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITY - Members of the media are welcome to attend the Family Activity Weekend at the Beach Ballroom this Saturday or Sunday (September 19 and 20) from 9.30am to 4.30pm daily.

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.

 21st Sep 2009

« Go back