BUDDING young scientists are being encouraged to visit their local parks across Aberdeen next week (April 11-15), when TechFest will be delivering its Sociable Science events.
The programme will offer 5 to 11-year-olds the chance to learn new skills and take part in a range of activities, including a rocket balloon experiment, making rainbow rain and a mini-beast hunt.
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The TechFest team will be at Seaton Park (Monday, April 11 and Friday, April 15), Duthie Park (Tuesday, April 12), Victoria Park (Wednesday, April 13) and Hazlehead Park (Thursday, April 14) from 10am to 3pm, with participants able to drop into sessions free of charge.
The programme is designed to show how science is involved in our everyday lives and includes activities which can be easily replicated at home with family and friends.
The sessions are being run in conjunction with Aberdeen City Council’s Easter of Play scheme.
Managing director of TechFest, Sarah Chew said: “We launched our Sociable Science events during summer last year and had a huge response with more than 500 people from across the North-east engaging in the programme.
“This Easter, we are back with more activities and fun experiments for young people to take part in, offering something fun to do over the spring break while also providing learning opportunities.
“The programme encourages young people to use teamwork and creativity and highlights how Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) play a role in everything we do. We look forward to meeting lots of participants at parks across Aberdeen next week.”
TechFest develops programmes which link in with the CREST Award Scheme, run by the British Science Association.
By taking part in Sociable Science, participants have completed several of the eight activities required to be awarded a CREST SuperStar certificate and iron-on badge.
The remaining activities can be completed by working through their TechFest booklet which is available alongside all the other resources on the TechFest website.
Attendees can apply for their CREST Star award by visiting https://apply.crestawards.org/
Alongside a year-round programme of STEM education events, TechFest runs Aberdeen and North-east Scotland’s annual festival of STEM.
For more information on TechFest’s work, visit www.techfestsetpoint.org.uk
