The Edinburgh International Science Festival was founded in 1989. It is organized by an educational charity whose main goal is to encourage people of all ages and background to explore the exciting world around them. Edinburgh’s science festival is the first public celebration of science and technology in the world. Its main sponsors are the Edinburgh City Council and the Scottish Government.
The festival is held over the Easter break, running for two weeks filled with exciting events. The diverse program of the Edinburgh International Science Festival features over 250 events and activities held in different venues in and around the city of Edinburgh. It includes exhibitions, seminars, workshops and masterclasses, discussions and debates, performances and shows, talks, interactive activities for attendees of all ages including children and families, teenagers and adults.
The Science Festival has many partners among leading scientific and educational organizations. Its partners include the University of Edinburgh, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, the Medical Research Council (MRC), Our Dynamic Earth, the Scottish Science and Technology Roadshow (SCI-FUN), television science magazine series Bang Goes the Theory, and many more.
Past speakers include renowned scientists and science popularizers such as Richard Dawkins, Ian Wilmut, Brian Cox, Martin Rees, Robert Winston, Carl Djerassi, Kevin Warwick, Richard Wiseman, and others.
Alongside the main festival held every spring, the team of the Science Festival organizes year-round educational events and programs. They include Generation Science, Careers Hive, Live for It! and Fuselab Go.
The Generation Science program features shows and workshops held in primary schools across Scotland. The Careers Hive program is aimed at students who have studied STEM subjects. Live for It! is a health education program designed to raise childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes awareness. Finally, Fuselab Go is a creativity and innovation boot camp for teenagers dedicated to sustainable way of life.
Photo: sciencefestival.co.uk
