What’s On at The Edinburgh Science Festival

From 26 March – 10 April the Edinburgh International Science Festival is venturing forth to explore how science, technology, engineering and design have the potential to improve the world we live in and the way we live within it.

Explore the UK’s largest science festival with over 270 events for families and adults. There’s something for everyone, young and old, at Edinburgh International Science Festival this Easter. With a vast and varied selection of events in and around the city, you’re sure to find the perfect solution for a great scientific day (and night!) out.

The team at the Science Festival spoke to us about the festival and have picked out a selection of their fantastic events for families and adults for us here. Enjoy!

For Families…

City Art Centre

Sat 26 March – Saturday 9 April (not Sundays), 9.30am – 4.30pm

During the Science Festival, the flagship venue City Art Centre transforms into a science playground packed full of workshops, shows and interactive activities. Brand new activities for this year include Bricks and Blocks, where you can build and program your own Lego robot goalkeeper, Mini Mechanics where we take a closer look at what makes an engine tick and Little Giants where Buzzy the giant honeybee will lead you on a journey into the wonderful world of bees. With six floors jam packed full of hands-on workshops and exciting events suitable for ages 3-12 it’s a fantastic day out for all the family.

Sounds of Science

Wed 30 March, 7.00pm – 8.45pm

Launching at the Science Festival, this extraordinary project reveals the awe-inspiring narrative of how humans have changed the world over the last 10,000 years through a timeline of science and engineering played live using nothing more than sound. After a whirlwind introduction by timeline specialist and world history author Christopher Lloyd (and his coat of many pockets!), celebrated percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie will perform the world premier of a groundbreaking 21-minute soundscape written by composer Jill Jarman and conceived by Christopher, and a short discussion about the project will follow.

The Sounds of Science, Edinburgh Science Festival

Updates from Space

Thurs 31 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Meet one of Europe’s most experienced space explorers to get an insight into life as an astronaut. European Space Agency’s (ESA) Jean-François Clervoy will share his experiences of 675 hours of space flight. Learn about training to be an astronaut, what’s involved in a space mission and why Jean-François took a Rubik’s Cube on every space trip.

Jean-François is part of the team working with British ESA astronaut Tim Peake on his Principia Mission. Tim blasted off from Earth to join the ISS on 15 December 2015 and Jean-François with guests from UK Space Agency will share the latest news on Tim’s mission.

Mini Maker Faire

Sun 10 April, 10am – 5.00pm

The Edinburgh Mini Maker Faire is back for it’s fourth year, highlighting the diversity of human creativity by bringing together makers from all sorts of unexpected areas under one big roof. This year we’re better than ever before and you’ll be treated to gadgets, hardware, software, knitwear and food. This is a chance for the whole family to come out and interact with unbelievable technology and discover the hidden gems that are worked away at by creative makers across the country.

Science in the Spotlight

Various Dates

Science in the Spotlight is an ambitious new project by Edinburgh International Science Festival, which aims to bring together the wonder of theatre and the explosive world of science communication. The project has produced two high quality pieces of theatre for families that take a fresh approach to science as a part of the action – Catherine Wheels Theatre Company’s Lost at Sea (http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/event-details/lost-at-sea) and Uncanny Valley (http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/event-details/uncanny-valley), from Borderline Theatre Company and Ayr Gaiety.

Carnival of the Mind, Edinburgh Science Festival

For the Adults…

Science Festival Lates

Thurs 24 March, 7.30pm – 10.30pm

Want to build and program a Lego goalkeeper? Or remove a blood clot from a brain in A&E? Science Festival Lates is the event for you as we turn our flagship children’s venue over to adults for one very special night. Test your taste buds in the Science Festival’s beer tasting experiment; get hands-on decorating an edible chocolate planet; strike a pose with your favourite planet in our Science Festival photobooth; or just dance the night away to a DJ set from The Pictish Trail. We’ve got brains, bees, circuits and slime mixed in with music, drinks and fun. Don’t miss the chance to get hands-on and get your geek on; come join the party!

Big Bang Bash, Edinburgh Science Festival

Big Bang Bash

Fri 1 April, 7.00pm – 10.30pm

Join us for an out-of-this-world space party! Unleash your inner astronaut as you take a spacesuit selfie, help build a Mars colony from LEGO® bricks, send an encrypted message on a genuine Enigma machine and learn about the astrolabe whilst crafting one. Step inside our planetarium to discover the wonders of the solar system or take to the dance floor for the space themed Science Ceilidh. There’ll also be short talks from space experts including Mars One finalist Ryan MacDonald and astrobiologist Dr Lewis Dartnell, joined by award winning comedian Helen Keen. Not to mention the chance to get a space-themed cocktail from the Bar at the End of the Universe and dance the night away to a DJ set from Kid Canaveral. Get ready for an intergalactic night out to remember.

Experimental: The Show That Plays With Your Mind

Mon 28 March, 8.00pm – 8.50pm

Prof Richard Wiseman returns to the Festival with Experimental. An interactive experience like no other as you take part in live mind-blowing psychology experiments that will make you laugh, scream and gasp. There’s no performer. It’s just you and the unknown. Devised and presented by Prof Richard Wiseman.

Survival of the Century with Martin Rees

Tues 29 March, 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Join us for an evening with Lord Martin Rees. A Fellow of Trinity College and Emeritus Professor of Cosmology and Astrophysics at the University of Cambridge and former President of the Royal Society, Lord Rees will be discussing how we can survive the century and exploring risks that threaten our very existence as well as shedding some light on the cutting edge research underway at his new research centre.

The Futurist Meal

Thurs 31 March, 8.00pm – 10.00pm

Throughout history many radical thinkers have attempted to build a better world by overthrowing the conventions of the past and attempting to create brand new cultures. One such movement was Futurism, an artistic and social crusade changed our understanding of cooking through their doctrine of bringing the laboratory into the kitchen. Prof Neil Cox, from Edinburgh College of Art, joins Charlie Harry Francis, culinary inventor and founder of Lick Me I’m Delicious, for an experimental Futurist meal inspired by Marinetti’s 1930 Manifesto of Futurist Cooking, in an event hosted by author and broadcaster Zoe Cormier. Expect a specially created soundscape from sound artist Dave House, Futurist avant-garde poetry from Calum Roger, confrontational canapes and disturbing dishes as we go beyond the beyond at this unique event.

Just Drop-in…

Don’t forget to stop by at our Tiny Homes Village, located on The Mound Precinct, that’s free to enter and gives you an up-close encounter with eco-friendly portable living spaces. As this year is Scotland’s Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, this is a great chance to explore what turns a simple roof over our heads into somewhere we are happy to call home.

Need somewhere lovely to call home in Edinburgh? 

Dickins let special and unique Edinburgh self catering home from home apartments and houses from as little as three nights up to six months.