Calendar of Events

A true international man of action, Paul Rose has explored much of the worlds wild spaces, dived the seven seas and spent 10 years as Base commander for Rothera Basestation in the Antarctic. He has been awarded HM The Queen's Polar Medal and for his work with NASA and the Mars Lander project on Mt Erebus, Antarctica, he was awarded the US Polar Medal.

Paul has also been in high demand in the media, making appearances on a variety of radio and TV programmes, from Blue Peter to Child of Our Times and The One Show. Paul has also presented several TV series', including BBC's Oceans and the recent Britain's Secret Seas.

Join Paul Rose for an evening of discovery, as this remarkable man of many talents explores his own experiences and through his passion for exploration and conservation explains his hopes for the future of our planet.

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Blow your mind,
pop your eyeballs,
 poop your pants!

TV's most extreme scientist (from shows including Brainiac and Blue Peter) reveals the "silly, crazy, dirty, dangerous and magnificent side of science" (Daily Telegraph). 
In his latest  "pyrotechnic extravaganza" (Daily Mail) celebrating the International Year of Chemistry,

Dr Bunhead joyrides through a heart-stopping, "multi-themed barrage of hilarious contraptions" (Stage). 

Explaining and exploding as your science teacher never dared.

Recommended for audiences aged 7+.

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Puckish Pop Scientist Doctor Austin is back with cheeky puppy Professor Sparks in a puppet science show for the whole family that's out of this world - literally! Sparks unveils his new faster than light spaceship and sets off on a trip around the solar system to undertake exciting missions.

Aimed at audiences age 8 and under.

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Lin Anderson is at the forefront of the Scottish crime writing scene, thanks to her acclaimed series of novels featuring forensic scientist Dr Rhona Macleod.

For this special event Lin will be teaming up with Andy Rolph from Return To Scene - an Aberdeen-based company who are at the cutting edge of crime scene technology, supplying forensic services across the UK with their unique R2S software. Join them to find out how Lin carries out the research for her books, and see a live demo of the R2S technology.

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Aberdeenshire Museum Service's Discovery Centre is a purpose-built museum storage facility and visitor centre, as well as housing the service's technical workshops. This state of the art facility includes 810 m² of environmentally controlled storage space, housing collections ranging from fine art to botanical specimens.
Join us on a guided tour and find out what goes on behind the scenes. Explore the building, which contains over 40,000 objects, and discover some of the hidden gems in the collections. Find out how science is applied to the conservation of historic objects and works of art.

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 Get ready to take notes on the science behind the undead, featuring live demonstrations and an online exam certified by the Zombie Institute for Theoretical Studies (ZITS).
Theoretical Zombiologist, Doctor Austin, explains how a zombie outbreak could occur, it's potential effect on humans and, most importantly, how to stop it.
Supported by the Wellcome Trust & University of Glasgow.

Suitable for audiences aged 15+.

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 Chaired by Professor Neva Haites, Head of Collegeof Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Aberdeen

Genetic biology has advanced such that a child's gender can be preselected in the test tube. What has made this possible and can we reconcile the ethics with what some parents consider an invaluable right to choose?

Tickets are not required for this free event.

RW Thomson Memorial Lecture

Robert Thomson was the celebrated son of Stonehaven who invented both the pneumatic tyre and the Fountain Pen. To commemorate his legacy, the Institute of Institute of Minerals, Materials and Mining present this memorial Lecture.

Materials play a central role in our lives but to a great extent we take them very much for granted.  How often do you consider the science and engineering that has gone in to producing all of the things you see around you?

Diane Aston explores how materials have helped to change and improve the technology we rely on by looking at their applications and modern uses.

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In a change to the advertised programme for this collaborative presentation we will hear from two researchers from the University of Aberdeen's College of Life Sciences. Mattei Bolborera will discuss how th djungarian Hamster can help us with questions such as Do the stars influence what goes on in our personal relationships and what influences the release of sex hormones in "Brains, sex and Seasons".
 Heather Doran will also outline her research into links between breast cancer and estrogen using immortal breast cancer cells.

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Take a tour around the University of Aberdeen's Oceanlab,the worlds first purpose built ocean lander laboratory, providing state of the art equipment which allows scientists to explore deep ocean. 

Hear from scientists conducting cutting edge research in locations around the world, and take part in an evening celebrating marine science with tours, demonstrations and short presentations including:

Jessica Craig;   Bioluminescence in the deep sea
Dan Mayor; The Open Ocean
Alan Jamieson;  Life in the deepest places on Earth
Will Hunter ; Night of the Living Dead Zones

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How do film makers create startling character effects on their actors? Nimba Creations is a special effects company whose artists have worked on projects as diverse as King Kong, The Chronicles of Narnia, Walking with Dinosaurs, Noddy Live and The Gadget Show.  They'll describe the work of special effect artists  and the technical challenges this involves before demonstrating how to apply prosthetics. The audience will finally have the opportunity to spot where such special effects are used as the cinema screens "Shaun of the Dead".

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Solomon Islands are an archipelago of over 1000 islands in the Pacific Ocean. In recent years the tropical forests have been subject to large amounts of deforestation while coastal fish farms have provided employment opportunities.  How have the islanders and their culture been affected by the recent global financial problems and the advent of wind farms?
Jasper describes his research in this highly visual presentation.

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Human activity is having a big impact on our planet's delicate ecosystem. But what would we stand to lose if, as some suggest, we are heading for extinction of species on a mass scale.

Tickets are not required for this free event

Ever wondered what happens to the food and green waste picked up by the council from homes across the area?

Keenan Recycling Ltd is one of Scotland's leading organic recycling specialists, turning food and garden waste into BSI accredited compost products which are used to enrich the soils with valuable nutrients. Come and tour their award winning recycling facility near New Deer, capable of processing 100,000 tonnes per annum with 30,000 tonnes per annum of In-vessel Composting capacity for food waste recycling.

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TactX is the new state of the art football coaching software from the UEFA Training Ground, developed by Aberdeen based, AVC media.  TactX is designed to help football coaches and teams by giving the user the ability to create their training drills and match preparations using a simple control process before demonstrating these as 3D animations. TactX is being used throughout the UEFA National Associations as well as by a host of top football clubs around the world.
See how it was developed and try the system out for yourself as AVC staff talk you through it.

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In 2009 Richard Noble held the Beach Ballroom spellbound as he outlined a dream project to build a car capable of driving at 1000 mph, as well as using the project to inspire children nationwide.
Two years later Bloodhound is finally in construction, the 'track' is being developed and thousands of schools are involved in the accompanying education project. Richard is returning to Aberdeen to open the Discovery Series and update us on the challenges and successes of this remarkable mission.

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 Medical Genetics is the study of how errors in our DNA can cause disease. Joel, a pre-registration clinical scientist with the NHS will explain how this field has evolved over the past 20 years, what goes on in a modern day genetics laboratory and the innovations that are shaping the future of genetic testing.

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Scotland has an abundance of the world's most valuable liquid asset, water. Much of the Earth is not so fortunate. In 2001 The World Health Organisation reported that 1 billion people were affected by water shortages and contamination. By 2025, it is expected that two-thirds of the world's population will experience water shortages. Today in the Middle East water is more valuable than oil. It is possible that a future world war could be fought over access to water. Water really is a rapidly diminishing liquid asset.

In this thought provoking presentation Peter Robertson will consider some of the issues around global water sustainability and the emerging technologies that may help mitigate some of these challenges.

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Liver disease is still on the increase in Scotland. The media often propose a range of causes but what does the research actually tell us. Muhammad discusses the reasons the liver is so important and examines various hepatic disorders, their causes and prevalence.

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It is generally assumed that the pursuit of happiness is one of the main aims of life. For many decades it was believed that higher incomes would lead to happiness and GDP was therefore able to indicate what makes populations happy, but now experts increasingly disagree.

Neurologists can tell us which parts of the brain are associated with happiness;
Psychologists can tell us how individuals can manage their lives in order to be happy; 
Sociologists can tell us what sort of society we need to ensure happiness.

Professor Wallace has studied wellbeing in European societies and has demonstrated that there are aspects of our social environment that can explain a lot about how happy we are.  These things can be formed by public policy and it is therefore in our own power to create the circumstances that will lead to happier lives.

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We live in an age of great scientific progress, but will fundamental science discoveries one day grind to a halt?

Russell Stannard,Professor Emeritus at the Open University, gives his reasons for suggesting this and explores those lines of scientific research which may already have come up against the boundaries of what can be known.

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What do scientist mean when they talk of genes and the environmental? Jemma and Kirsty discuss the importance of light in the linking of our genetic make-up and the world around us and what happens when the link is lost.

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Applying Forensic Techniques to Wildlife Crime Investigation.
Ross McEwing is the senior scientist at the Wildgenes Laboratory in Edinburgh. His research focuses on the use of DNA techniques to conserve and monitor threatened animal species in the UK and abroad. In addition, Ross is one of only a handful of specialist wildlife forensic scientists in the world and this work takes him to Africa and Asia to assist with training park wardens and prosecuting the illegal traders of animals and their parts.
Introducing the audience to the uses of DNA in wildlife conservation Ross will also demonstrate its use in the detection of crime relating to wildlife including real case examples from the UK and around the world.

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Rob, who has been researching how to improve transport dependent rural accessibility, has produced a short film about community transport and what it means to those involved. By screening this 15 minute film and participating in a question and answer session, Rob will promote discussion about the issues of rural accessibility. 

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The National Hyperbaric Centre in Aberdeen is a world-class facility specialised at working in extreme environments. Best known for its pressure chambers and treatment of diver decompression illnesses and carbon monoxide poisoning, the centre has developed over recent years to provide deepwater testing, subsea training and consulting. It is also involved in diving research projects.

Join the enthusiastic staff as they guide you round the many facets of this fascinating and versatile facility.

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 The classic sci-fi movie Bladerunner has inspired and frustrated in equal measure since its release. However, last year it was lauded by NASA for demonstrating 'good science in media'.  Enjoy a screening of the film, and then participate in a discussion on the future of Artificial Intelligence and its real possibilities with researchers from both the University of Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University.

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New Ways of Exploring the Past
Celebrating Scottish Archaeology Month

We are currently witnessing a revolution in science, specifically in the field of genetics. This revolution is resonating through the fields of medicine, agriculture, evolutionary ecology and even archaeology, where it is providing us with powerful new tools to explore the past. In this talk Professor Dobney will outline how our ability to recover ancient bio-molecules from long-dead organisms  is providing unique information on our own evolutionary and cultural history, ancient migrations and dispersals, the origins and spread of farming, the impact of past climate change, and the history of diet and health.

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George Dodd is an expert in the Science of Smell. While studying as a chemist working under Hans Krebs, George also trained as a perfumer. This combination has led to many advances and discoveries including; the introduction of the Warwick University Olfaction Research Group, the world's first multi-disciplinary research team dedicated to the study of smell; the development of electronic 'noses' as sensors for a range of substances as well as the first `medicinal perfume' "Scentuelle" . Other ongoing projects include further medicinal scents and scent tests to aid the diagnosis of ailments.
George will describe how much we can still gain from using this often overlooked sense and take you on a tour of his favourite smells.

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The internet is widely regarded as bringing us closer together, Leanne, a researcher in the digital economy will look at the digital divide in rural communities and discuss whether broadband can beneficial in addressing some of the issues faced by rural communities and how broadband access can be beneficial in terms of social interaction or for rural businesses.

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Chemical reactions are the lifeblood of chemistry, but once you get away from bangs, flashes, and smells, how do you convey them to the general public? There is a pressing need to achieve this type of communication, to show the intellectual infrastructure of chemistry not just its showy phenomena, especially during this International Year of Chemistry.
They key is visualization; but how do you convey atomic events visually on a printed page?  Explaining the process behind his recent book, Peter explains his thoughts, and gives examples of how he developed visual images to convey not only simple reactions but some of the more complex processes going on in laboratories, industries, and the human body.

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What is internet engineering? Find out its importance and its challenges since it is envisaged that all fixed and wireless terrestrial as well as satellite communication networks become part of the Internet.
Nimbe a researcher and engineer will  look at plans to develop the current internet and look to the future to discuss what may yet be possible.

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 Aliens and Time Machines,
 Cyborgs and Daleks,
 Utopias and Killer Computers. 
Author Mark Brake and science rapper Jon Chase take you on a journey through the fantastic worlds of Dr Who, and asks you to consider the question, 'Do We Live in a Science Fiction World?'

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Author and broadcaster Mark Brake and science rapper Jon Chase are passionate about the creatures of science fiction film. Through short screenings and live rap music, they ask whether the cinematic creations of cyborgs and outer space voyages have contributed to scientific discoveries which are now part of our reality.

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We get told all the time that science is all around us... But what about halfway up a huge cliff, or free falling from 10,000 feet? Jumping from building to building or cycling through an alpine pass? Well the truth of the matter is that science is in even the most extreme of sports, in fact, it is even more important in these high adrenaline, action packed adventures. This 'science of extreme sports' show demonstrates just how risky rock climbing really is and what it's like to fall at terminal velocity through the Earth's thin atmosphere.  Join us on a whistle stop tour of these adventure sports and the science behind them and maybe you too will become a Science Junkie!

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Has a crime been committed in St Andrews Street? Join us for a murder mystery evening with a difference. You'll be collecting the evidence! Under the guidance of forensic experts the 'audience' will be using real techniques and equipment. Search for evidence, piece together clues and see for yourself the reality of scene of crime investigations.

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Millenium Child is an Aberdeen based dancer, dj, rapper, producer and biochemist(yes really). Join him at Tiger Tiger as he uses a hip-hop dance workshop to explore the science and mechanics of dance.

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For more than four decades, Jean-Michel Cousteau has dedicated himself to communicating his love and concern for our water planet to people of all nations and generations. The son of famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, Jean-Michel has investigated the world's oceans aboard the research vessels Calypso and Alcyone for much of his life. Honoring his heritage, Jean-Michel founded Ocean Futures Society in 1999 to carry on this pioneering work.

As Ocean Future's spokesman, Jean-Michel serves as an impassioned diplomat for the environment, reaching out to the public through a variety of media and is dedicated to educating young people, documenting stories of change and hope, and lending his reputation and support to energise alliances for positive change.  Join Jean-Michel for an evening of discovery as he describes his travels and experiences, and outlines his hopes and concerns for the future of our oceans.

The event is this years British Science Association annual Music Hall Lecture.

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PRESENTED BY TOTAL E&P

A visually stunning film in the highest tradition of nature documentaries, Oceans took four years to film, taking in over 50 locations around the world. Exploring all five of Earth’s oceans and nominated for 3 Cesar Awards (Best Documentary, Best Sound, Best Music), Oceans, is a breathtaking voyage of discovery reflecting the need to respect nature. 

Oceans was not released in the UK, so this screening provides an unrivalled opportunity to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature.