Edinburgh International Science Festival Programme 2011 by Festivals Edinburgh

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL 9-22 April 2011

Programme Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR PARTNERS Funding partners contribute two-thirds of the costs of our activities. They allow us to engage with more than 125,000 children and adults at the Science Festival, and through our schools outreach programme, Generation Science. PRINCIPAL FUNDING PARTNERS

MAJOR FUNDING PARTNERS

FUNDING PARTNERS

Digital partner

MAJOR VENUE AND PROGRAMME PARTNERS

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

Design partner

WELCOME Welcome to the 2011 Science Festival – and another exciting programme of events for all ages. 2011 is the International Year of Chemistry and we’re celebrating with Atomise at the Botanics, featuring out of this world workshops and demonstrations of chemical wizardry... Not forgetting TV’s most extreme scientist in Dr Bunhead in Pyromania at the Usher Hall. As always, all seven floors of the City Art Centre will be jam-packed with family activities. Why not join our brand new World of Bubbles workshops, where ‘bubbleologists’ will amaze you with jaw-dropping tricks? Or visit the BBC’s Bang Goes The Theory Roadshow as it returns to The Mound and brings more live shows to the Assembly Hall. This year, we’ve changed our brochure layout to make it easier to plan your visit – family events are now all listed by venue. In the past, many of our customers requested a festival diary, so we’ve also included a family events planner, allowing you to see what’s available at a glance.

CONTENTS VISITOR INFORMATION

HIGHLIGHTS

CITY ART CENTRE SCOTTISH STORYTELLING CENTRE BOTANICS

EDINBURGH ZOO NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND & ADAM HOUSE SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILIES AT A GLANCE

12 14 17 18 20 24

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS 26 INFORMATION

INDEX

The 2011 events programme for adults is even more diverse than ever, giving you the chance to rediscover your youth at Science Festival Later – a programme of adult-only evenings at our most popular family venues. There are films and comedy to keep you entertained, along with appearances by Robin Ince and Marc Abrahams. This year’s talks cover a massive spectrum of issues, and include appearances by Richard Dawkins, Lord Rees and Prof Lord Robert Winston, and Edinburgh Medal recipient Carl Djerassi, inventor of the contraceptive pill. We are also thrilled to welcome Richard Wiseman as our guest director (see opposite).

RICHARD WISEMAN, Guest Director Following the overwhelming success of 2010’s Spirit of the Wild, we’re back in St Andrew Square with Into the Deep, a stunning display of underwater images by renowned photographers. These images have been specially selected for the Science Festival by photographer Steve Bloom. Into the Deep will be open to everyone from 25 February to1 May. Since last year’s Science Festival, we’ve also launched a brand new website at www.sciencefestival.co.uk. You’ll find online booking for all our events, all the latest news and information, plus photo galleries, videos and a library of scientific facts. We look forward to seeing you.

We are delighted to welcome Richard as our first ever Science Festival Guest Director. He has programmed some top-quality scientific entertainment, and a fascinating series of talks that explore the issues and phenomena affecting our everyday lives. Discover how we really tell the difference between vintage wine and everyday plonk, find out the science behind the contents of your make-up bag and pick up some tips on how to keep your canine companions under control. You can also revisit a Victorian variety performance to see some death-defying demonstrations and experiments, and laugh along with the science of comedy. Richard is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire and specialises in communicating psychological and scientific developments to the public. He has made regular appearances on TV and radio, and is the author of the scientific self-help bestseller The Luck Factor and 59 Seconds. Look out for Richard’s events on pages 32-39.

Simon Gage, Festival Director

Cover image © Nick Garbutt/stevebloom.com

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

VISITOR INFORMATION HOW TO BOOK Beat the queues and save money by booking in advance.

ONLINE

OTHER BOOKING INFORMATION

www.sciencefestival.co.uk

Concessions For pensioners, the unemployed, disabled persons and their carers (please see below for access information) and students, where available.

BY PHONE 0131 553 0322 (9am-5pm)

Group discounts Please call the Box Office on 0131 553 0322 to arrange group bookings.

IN PERSON Edinburgh Festival Fringe Shop 180 High Street, Edinburgh 25 February-22 April (10.30am-5.30pm Mon-Fri, 11am-5.30pm Sat) Some events need to be booked through the venue – see details in the programme listing. If available, tickets can be purchased at the venue up to 30 minutes prior to the event.

Refunds All Science Festival tickets are nonrefundable, except in the case of a cancellation.

A handling charge of £1.50 per transaction will apply to all credit card and debit card bookings.

EARLY BIRD OFFERS Book before Saturday 2 April and take advantage of the following offers. All offers must be booked by phone or in person. City Art Centre Weekends £1 off all children’s day passes on Saturday 9, Saturday 16 and Friday 22 April (children must be accompanied by an adult). See pages 8-11. Atomise Book 5 workshop or show tickets for £10 (usual price £2.50 each). Includes multiple tickets for one event. See page 15 for programme listings. Science Festival Events Buy 4 tickets to events in our Science Festival Events programme (p26-40) and receive a 5th ticket free (cheapest ticket free, only valid for 5 separate events).

ACCESS INFORMATION Edinburgh International Science Festival aims to provide a friendly and efficient experience and the best possible access for all its visitors. Please visit www.sciencefestival.co.uk for our full access guide or contact the Box Office on 0131 553 0322 for more detailed access information for specific venues and events. This brochure is also available in large print, Braille and audio formats. Please contact the Box Office to request a copy.

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

HOW TO USE THIS BROCHURE SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILIES

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS Science Festival Events is our programme of discussion, debates, screenings, workshopss and nights out. Listings are arranged in date ble order and, unless otherwise stated, are suitable for ages 14+.

AGE RANGES

Y IL S M T FA VEN E

Science Festival Families is our programme of days out and events suitable for families – see the tag in the top right corner. Listings are arranged by venue. To make it easier to organise your visit and avoid clashes, we have included a festival planner showing events by date.

EDINBURGH EDINBURGH IINTERNATIONAL NTERNATIONAL SCIENCE S CIENCE FESTIVAL F ESTIVAL

Every Science Festival Families event carries a minimum age recommendation to ensure the best sk possible experience for all our visitors. We ask parents to bear the recommendation in mind when choosing activities for their children. nts Unless otherwise stated, Science Festival Events listings carry an age recommendation of 14+.. Where alcohol is served, tickets will be restricted to those aged 18+ (proof of age may be required).

AGES 3+

HAVE YOU SEEN OUR NEW WEBSITE? Our website at www.sciencefestival.co.uk is now better than ever. As well as booking tickets and finding information about our events, you’ll also be able to discover a whole host of brand new features to enhance your Science Festival experience. Why not ask one of our experts a question, or explore our library of scientific facts in the Did You Know section? You can even personalise the site by registering for a My Science account. Log in and you’ll be able to save articles, videos and facts, as well as create an events calendar. There’s also a blog where you’ll find updates from Science Festival insiders, plus plenty of talking points and ideas. If you’d like to receive regular news and offers, why not sign up for our newsletter? And don’t forget to ‘like us’ on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

HIGHLIGHTS

ATOMISE Do you feel a reaction coming on? Welcome to Atomise, a place that’s alive with experiments, explosive gadgets and hands-on workshops to give you a day out full of fizz and fascination. Play with magnetic ‘nanosludge’ and party with dancing custard at the cornflour disco. Mix up a gooey gunge and gaze at our incredible crystalline creations. Atomise is not to be missed. 9-25 April, then weekends until 5 June (10am-5pm) • Botanics Find out more on page 14

ALL AGES

SCIENCE FESTIVAL LATER…

STORYTELLING CENTRE

Unleash your inner child and take part in a wide range of workshops and demonstrations at the Botanics, Camera Obscura and City Art Centre with a glass of wine. Fancy an all-nighter? This year, Edinburgh Zoo has extended its popular sleepover event for adults too. Take in the animals by night and enjoy dinner, drinks and entertainment. AGES 18+ Find out more on pages 26-40

This year, the Science Festival has formed a new partnership with the Scottish Storytelling Centre. Together, we will be presenting a series of events for young people, showcasing children’s science authors and hosting interactive storytelling sessions.

9-13 April (times vary) Find out more on pages 12-13

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

AGES 3+

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DR BUNHEAD IN PYROMANIA

Blow your mind, pop your eyeballs, poop your pants! Join TV’s most extreme scientist to celebrate the International Year of Chemistry and have a chance to take part in a Guinness World Record attempt. 9 April (2pm, 7.30pm) • Usher Hall Find out more on page 23

BANG GOES THE THEORY LIVE BBC One’s Bang Goes the Theory LIVE is back at the Science Festival, giving everyone the chance to get hands-on with science! 15-17 April • Live shows: 12.30pm and 3.30pm, Meet the Team: 5pm • Free (ticket required) Assembly Hall Interactive Area: 11am-6pm • The Mound Precinct ALL AGES Find out more on page 20t

AGES 7+

INTO THE DEEP Presented by Steve Bloom Images and Edinburgh International Science Festival, Into the Deep is a free outdoor exhibition of giant photographs, starting at the surface of the ocean and travelling right down to the creatures of the deep. 25 February-1 May (8am-6pm) St Andrew Square Find out more on page 21

ALL AGES

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

CITY ART CENTRE Running daily from Saturday 9 to Friday 22 April (not 10 or 17 April) from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Science Festival at the City Art Centre brings you seven jam-packed floors of family activities. Whatever the age group, you’ll find events to suit – from our youngest explorers in Wee Wonder World to the computer programs of the future in our Robosports Arena. Look inside the human body, discover new technologies and marvel at the wonders of the natural world, without even leaving the building! HOW TO BOOK A Day Pass gets you into the City Art Centre to explore as many events as you like. Pre-booking your Day Pass is strongly advised to avoid queues – and to avoid disappointment. Some events have a limited capacity, marked with PRE-BOOKING ADVISED . You can reserve up to three of these events in advance. See page 11 for full details of how to plan your day.

VENUE SPONSOR Wolfson Microelectronics is passionate about science and technology, and is thrilled to continue its support of the Science Festival at City Art Centre. Edinburgh-based Wolfson provides groundbreaking HD audio and ultra low-power solutions for some of the world’s highest profile consumer electronic products, with customers including Samsung, Microsoft and LG. For more information, visit www.wolfsonmicro.com

LOWER GROUND FLOOR All activities on the Lower Ground Floor were developed with support from the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund.

WEE WONDER WORLD Step down the magical staircase into Auntie Agnes’s house – a wonderful world full of stories and adventure. All will be revealed when you enter this world of imagination and start investigating the curious goings on inside. Science playworkers will inspire and help you investigate the unusual delights of Wee Wonder World.

GROUND FLOOR MANIC MONSTER HUNT Get your hands on the world’s best video technology used in surveillance operations, control the equipment yourself and hunt monsters hiding around the building. Watch where you step, though – you are being watched! AGES 8+

Supported by:

FIRST FLOOR NINA AND THE NEURONS: IN THE LAB Inspired by experiments from the popular CBeebies show Nina and the Neurons: In the Lab, prepare to have lots of fun while you find out more about the science that is all around us. NB Nina will not be present at the workshops.

AGES 0-6 Wee Wonder World is a whole floor of events. The next two events are particularly popular but can be pre-booked:

IMAGINATION GARDEN

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Visit our secret garden and create your own creature! Explore and discover this new and fascinating world. 10am-4pm (half-hourly) • 20 minutes

STORYTIME TENT

AGES 3+

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Enter a world where the music takes you on a journey! Feel the vibrations as you step into the story and discover amazing things. 10am-4pm (half-hourly) • 20 minutes

AGES 3+

In association with:

AGES 3+

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

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MADLAB AND MADBOT ROBOT

RAMPAGING CHARIOTS

Learn the secrets of soldering, then make your very own working electronic gadget. There are lots of classic and favourite MadLab kits to choose from, as well as some surprise new ones. Assemble a wind turbine and generator, and test it in the wind tunnel on the Fifth Floor. Or, for expert MadLabbers, come and build a robot that can find its way around a maze without bumping into the walls.

Race a powerful robot round a challenging obstacle course, and then pitch your skills against your opponent in our Robot Football Champions League. Once you’ve seen what your robot is capable of, why not build your own in our special workshop where you will learn how to construct, design and build a Rampaging Chariot from scratch? Once driven, never forgotten!

Just drop in 45-75 minutes (MADBOT 2+ hours) Kits cost from £3, MADBOT £24 Circuit boards supplied by Zot Engineering.

AGES 7+

10am-4pm (hourly) • Racing Arena Workshop: Build your own robot

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Supported by:

10am-3pm (hourly) • 45 minutes

SCIENCE MINI CINEMA

Presented and supported by:

Discover a series of short films and documentaries from throughout the world. Sit down, relax and enjoy.

THIRD FLOOR

ALL AGES Supported by:

WORLD OF BUBBLES Step into our wonderful world of bubble magic and prepare to be amazed! Meet our ‘bubbleologists’ and marvel at their jaw-dropping bubble mastery. Find out how to make a round bubble square and disappear into your own bubble. Bubbles have never been so much fun! ALL AGES

JUNGLE SAFARI

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

We need an archaeologist – can you help? An Egyptian mummy has been discovered and we need you to enter the ceremonial chamber, unwrap its bandages and find out how the mummy died. 10am-4pm (half-hourly) • 45 minutes

AGES 7+

AGES 8+

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Let us take you on an incredible and memorable journey through the deepest, darkest region of the jungle to learn about the world of animal sounds and noises! Put on your safari gear and join our research scientists to discover some of the amazing ways animals communicate. 10am-4pm (half-hourly) • 40 minutes

AGES 6+

Supported by:

LEGO ROBOSPORTS

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Using the latest NXT generation of fantastic LEGO MINDSTORM robots, we set you some challenging problems to solve. Programme your robot to negotiate a pathway then carry out a special mission. This is a workshop for those with some experience of LEGO MINDSTORM. If you’re a beginner, try Adventure-Bots and the Temple God on the Fifth Floor. 10am-4pm (half-hourly) • 45 minutes

SECOND FLOOR UNWRAPPING THE MUMMY

AGES 5+

AGES 8+

Supported by:

SCIENCE OF THE FUTURE Edinburgh Science Triangle will showcase some of the outstanding science used by the region’s businesses in a series of hands-on, exciting workshops and demos. The programme will vary each day and will include activities such as strawberry DNA extraction, a helicopter egg-lift challenge and CSI-style forensics. Check out the daily programme on arrival and book directly with the team. Supported by:

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

CITY ART CENTRE FOURTH FLOOR

FIFTH FLOOR PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

THE FUTURE’S BRIGHT TRAIL AND EXHIBITION

Emergency, emergency – there’s been an accident! Here’s your chance to scrub up and save some lives in the ER surgery. Nurse! 10am-4pm (hourly) 40 minutes AGES 8+

Climate change is real and beyond reasonable doubt, and we need to speedily reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere. Crack the clues and follow the trail to learn new and easy ways to be greener. Finish at the Fifth Floor exhibition, where you’ll see how our lives will change – for the better – once we’ve become truly green.

Supported by:

INTRODUCTORY WIND TURBINE WORKSHOP

MINI SCIENTISTS

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Transform into a scientist as you step into the Medical Research Council lab and put on a white coat and safety specs to try our activities. There is lots to choose from: build your own healthy cell, make a test-tube baby and examine its DNA, create a virus then figure out what disease it causes, help to send signals between cells, or make a DNA bracelet to match your eye and hair colour. You’ll get to meet some real-life medical research scientists too! 10am-4pm (every 45 minutes) • 30 minutes AGES 7+ Presented and supported by:

DR CLOT’S BLOODCURDLING ADVENTURE

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Do you pick your scabs? Ever wondered how they’re made? Clamber into an artery and crawl through a capillary as you follow Dr Clot on his incredible adventure through the blood stream. Help him carry oxygen, battle bacteria and create a blood-curdling blood clot. 10am-4pm (every 45 minutes) • 25 minutes AGES 8+ Supported by:

THE BLOOD BAR

WAVE POWER WORKSHOP Build a simple wave power device and test it in our massive wave tank. See how Scottish companies are making use of wave power to generate electricity. AGES 7+

COSY COSY GAMESHOW Parents and children team up in this interactive gameshow. Stop heat leaking from model houses as you play against the clock, and try to beat those around you by saving the most energy – and money! AGES 5+ Supported by:

ADVENTURE-BOTS AND THE TEMPLE GODS

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Using a specially designed version of LEGO MINSTORMS NXT technology, build and programme smart robots and outsmart temple gods, battle deadly snakes and seach for hidden treasure! Take part in a robotics adventure like no other. A variety of challenging and exciting missions await you. 10am-4pm (hourly) • 45 minutes

Prepare to be grossed out at the Blood Bar as you make your own blood-curdling scabs, mix up a gooey blood milkshake and even touch a real heart (if you’re feeling brave!). Explore the science of blood and see how we can diagnose disease with some cutting edge technology in two different workshops. Take a closer look at the heart, lungs and oxygen in Don’t Hold Your Breath, and find out what really happens when we get cuts and bruises in the Scab Lab. AGES 8+ Supported by:

Make a simple wind turbine and test it in the wind tunnel. Choose the best spot on the hillside to get your turbine to turn as fast as possible. AGES 5+

AGES 9+

SHADOWGRAMS PHOTOLAB Create and develop your own beautiful picture to take home by arranging unsual objects on a glass plate and exposing the pattern on to a piece of photographic paper in the dark room. Chemistry has never been so cool. AGES 7+

OUTSIDE CITY ART CENTRE DIG UP A DINOSAUR

PRE-BOOKING ADVISED

Millions of years ago, dinosaurs ruled the earth. Help us dig for bones and use your skills to brush away the sand to see what you can find. One of our most popular events! 10am-4pm (every 45 minutes) 40 minutes

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

AGES 8+

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OPENING HOURS

DAY PASSES

Saturday 9-Friday 22 April (9.30am-4.30pm) (not 10 or 17 April) Allow 4-5 hours

Adult Adult concession Child aged 7+

£6.75 £5.25 £8.75

Child aged 3-6 Child under 3

£6.25 FREE

FACILITIES There is a packed lunch area, secure buggy park, cloakroom, café and shop within the City Art Centre.

EARLY BIRD BOOKING City Art Centre Weekends Book before 2 April and get £1 off all children’s day passes on Saturday 9, Saturday 16 and Friday 22 April (offer must be booked by phone or in person). You are strongly advised to purchase your day pass in advance as the City Art Centre is extremely busy during the Science Festival. Some events have limited capacity but you can reserve up to three in advance with the purchase of a Day Pass. Use the grid below to plan your day.

SECOND

LWR GD

START TIMES

10:00 10:30 11:00 11:30 12:00 12:30 1:00

1:30

2:00

2:30

3:00

3:30

4:00

4:30

Imagination Garden (20 mins) Storytime Tent (20 mins)

Unwrapping the Mummy (45 mins)

THIRD

Rampaging Chariots (45 mins)

Jungle Safari (40 mins)

LEGO Robosports (45 mins)

FOURTH

ER (40 mins) Mini Scientists (30 mins)

OUTSIDE FIFTH

Dr Clot’s Blood-curdling Adventure (25 mins) Adventure-bots and the Temple God (45 mins) Dig up a Dinosaur (40 mins)

GIFT AID SCHEME The Edinburgh Science Foundation, which runs the Edinburgh International Science Festival, is a charity and all ticket prices for City Art Centre events include a 10% donation. This allows us to reclaim the tax you pay to visit through the Gift Aid Scheme – every pound you pay is worth £1.25 to us. These donations help make the Science Festival accessible to those on lower incomes. If you are not a UK taxpayer or do not wish to make a charitable donation, the admission prices for the City Art Centre are as follows: adults (£6.13), adult concessions (£4.77), child aged 7+ (£7.95), child aged 2-6 (£5.68).

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCOTTISH STORYTELLING CENTRE This year, the Science Festival has formed a new partnership with the Scottish Storytelling Centre. This purpose-built storytelling venue includes the historic John Knox House on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. Here we will be presenting a series of events for young people that showcase children’s science authors and provide interactive storytelling sessions.

ROBOT CITY Paul Collicutt Welcome to Robot City – the city that never rusts! In this vibrant metal metropolis, highly developed robots are part of everyday life; living and working in harmony with mankind. Meet some of the Robot City personalities and draw your own robot. 12 April (2pm)

AGES 7+

All tickets for Storytelling Centre events are £4.

Organised by Templar Publishing

CHILDREN’S AUTHOR EVENTS

THE SCIENCE OF DOCTOR WHO

Chaired by Sara Grady, Children’s and Education Director, Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Mark Brake and Jon Chase Aliens and time machines, cyborgs and Daleks, utopias and killer computers... This event takes 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?’.

HORRIBLE SCIENCE Nick Arnold and Tony de Saulles Discover science with the squishy bits left in. Most people think science is seriously dreary but most people are wrong. Science isn’t boring – it’s horrible! And when science is horrible, it’s exciting! 9 April (2pm) Organised by Scholastic Children’s Books

AGES 7+

MURDEROUS MATHS Kjartan Poskitt Find out how to count your way out of a death-trap, why multiplication can stop a hairy green spot epidemic, and meet the barmy pure mathematicians who spent years proving 5 + 0 = 5. Meanwhile, Chainsaw Charlie, Halfsmile and their gang discover that even the simplest maths can be murderous. 10 April (2pm) Organised by Scholastic Children’s Books

AGES 7+

GET YOUR BRAIN BUZZING Prof Lord Robert Winston Meet one of TV’s most famous scientists and find out how to get those brain cells buzzing as Robert Winston takes you through his daring experiments. From learning how to make a balloon rocket or glow-in-the-dark jelly – science will never be boring again!

12-13 April (11am) Organised by Macmillan Children’s Books

HOW THE WEATHER WORKS Christiane Dorion Why do hurricanes happen? What is a tornado? Why does it snow? If you’ve ever wondered about the weather, this is the event for you! 13 April (2pm) Organised by Templar Publishing

AGES 7+

WHY IS SNOT GREEN? Glenn Murphy How loud can you burp? Do rabbits fart? What is space made of? What are scabs for and is it okay to pick them? Discover the answer to these and an awful lot of other important questions! 18 April (Ages 3+ 11am, Ages 7+ 2pm) Organised by Macmillan Children’s Books

11 April (2pm) AGES 10+ Organised by Dorling Kindersley

AGES 7+

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

AGES 7+

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STORYTELLER EVENTS ARCHIMEDES, WATER DISPLACEMENT AND THE GOLDEN CROWN

HOW DO YOU DO IT, FAST CHARLIE?

Mara Menzies Discover the story of Archimedes’ brilliant watery discovery and how it helps us today. Get involved in eye-popping experiments – find out what is heavier than water and what that old bath has to do with it all. 9 April (Ages 3+ 10.30am, Ages 7+ 12noon) • 1 hour AGES 3+

BATTY’S SPHERE Ron Fairweather Come on a wacky journey with Batty the Professor, travelling over land and under sea. Join him on his incredible adventures in his search for wondrous stories. 10 April (Ages 3+ 10.30am, Ages 7+ 12noon) • 1 hour

AGES 3+

Alan Steel The far-flying pigeon they call Fast Charlie Feathers spills the secrets of his aerobatic feats. Wear a hat and don’t bring a cat. 11 April (Ages 3+ 10.30am, Ages 7+ 12noon) 1 hour

AGES 3+

FOOD CHEMISTRY FUN Marie Louise Cochrane For Mrs Mash, the storytelling cook, the kitchen is a wondrous science lab. Join her as she shares some stories that explore the chemistry of food – and cooks up an experiment or two. 12 April (Ages 3+ 10.30am, Ages 7+ 12noon) • 1 hour

AGES 3+

DIVE! DIVE! DIVE! Fergus McNicol All aboard the submarine! Join up with Captain Zeppo, the scientific seafaring explorer, and his crew to Dive! Dive! Dive! down to the depths of the ocean. Find some biodiverse underwater stories with a twist in the tale, and mix up some creepy chemicals to create corrosive concoctions and magical potions. Surprises galore. 13 April (Ages 3+ 10.30am, Ages 7+ 12noon) • 1 hour

AGES 3+

FOR S

AT VE HOOLS AND NUES F ACROOR FAMILIES SS ED INBURALL AGES AND S GH AN D BEYTAGES OND to AY

SUND

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9 15 MAY 2011

SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO RECEIVE A FESTIVAL BROCHURE BY VISITING WWW.IMAGINATE.ORG.UK OR BY TELEPHONE ON 0131 225 8050.

The Festival is produced by promoting and developing performing arts for children and young people across Scotland. Imaginate is a company limited by guarantee. Company No. SC115855 Charity No. SC016437

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

BOTANICS This year, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is home to one of the Science Festival’s biggest events – Atomise. Open from 9 April, Atomise is our celebration of the International Year of Chemistry 2011, with exhibitions and workshops encouraging the whole family to get hands-on with chemistry. Alongside Atomise, the Botanics will also be presenting a varied programme of walks, activities and exhibitions for all ages.

Book before Saturday 2 April and take advantage of our early bird offer (must be booked by phone or in person). Book any 5 workshop and show tickets for £10 (usual price £2.50 each). 9-25 April then weekends until 5 June (10am-5pm) • John Hope Gateway

ALL AGES

Do you feel a reaction coming on? Welcome to Atomise, a place that’s alive with experiments, intriguing gadgets and hands-on workshops to bring you a day out full of fizz and fascination. Play with a magnetic ‘nanosludge’ that can ooze up the side of a jar, make your own slimy ‘splat-test-dummy’, and party with dancing custard at the cornflour disco. Mix up a gooey gunge, produce a pongy potion, and gaze at our incredible crystalline creations. Our in-house science geeks will help you get your hands messy and your brain buzzing as you explore our interactive world of chemistry. Atomise was developed with support from the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund. Supported by The University of Edinburgh School of Chemistry and East Chem.

THE CHAIN REACTOR

THE MAGNETOSCOPE BY MICHAEL FLYNN

From the moment we spark off the Chain Reactor, this elaborate machine will start a procession of chemical reactions – each one triggering the next in a dynamic display of scientific ingenuity.

CRYSTALLINE CREATIONS As you stroll around our enchanting crystal sculptures, you might just get hooked. Look closer at these strange translucent forms and investigate a world of geometric beauty.

OUR CHEMISTRY: CELEBRATING GREAT SCOTTISH INNOVATORS Throughout history, Scotland has played a leading role in cutting edge, international chemistry research. This exhibition will introduce some of our very own innovators and explore the global significance of Scotland’s chemical innovations.

Wonder at this unique installation, created by American inventor Michael Flynn. Discover the magic of ferrofluids, and interact with the bizarre and beautiful behaviour of this amazing display.

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

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SCENTS AND SENSITIVITY

PONGY POTIONS

A chemical quiz through the magnificent glasshouses of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. From aphrodisiacs to zest, follow a new trail that explores a multitude of hidden chemicals used by plants to attract and repel, seduce or poison their neighbours. Prepare to be delighted and disgusted in equal measure.

Cook up the stinkiest smells imaginable and design your own personal perfume. (But please leave your natural stinks at home!)

9-22 April (10am-5pm) • 1 hour 30 mins Pick up the self-guided trail at the Palm House (free with Glasshouse admission: adults £4, consessions £3, children £1, members free) ALL AGES

Turn a copper coin from your pocket silver. Frazzle it in an electrochemical bath and put a personalised pattern on your penny.

£2.50

AGES 8+

THE ELECTROPLATION STATION

£2.50

AGES 10+

FURRY CRYSTAL MONSTERS MAKE AND TAKE WORKSHOPS Get creative in our hands-on workshops and take home the results. Daily (10am-5pm) • Every 45 minutes £2.50 per workshop (purchase in advance through the Science Festival)

SPLAT-TASTIC! Mix up your own slime and test out its squishiness on our amazing ‘Splat-o-Meter’. Create a ‘splat-test-dummy’ to try out your goo in extreme conditions. £2.50

ALL AGES

Concoct crazy crystal solutions to create the scariest monster you can imagine. Take your monster home, look after it carefully and watch it get all furry and cute. £2.50

AGES 7+

POTIONS, EXPLOSIONS AND THE SCIENCE OF THE SUPERCOOL Full of pops, bangs and fizzing craziness, this high octane chemistry show will shock your socks off and give your brain a workout. Our sparkling presenters will demonstrate some of the coolest chemistry experiments around – quantum levitation, pocket explosions and instant foam. 11am-4pm • Hourly • £2.50

ALL AGES

OTHER EVENTS AT THE BOTANICS Unless otherwise stated, these events take place in the Real Life Science Studio (on the ground floor of the John Hope Gateway). Daily (10am-5pm) • Just drop in

TAKING A CLOSER VIEW: PAINTINGS, PRINTS AND MICROGRAPHS BY PAULINE AITKEN

NATURAL CHEMISTS

Artist Pauline Aitken explores one of our most precious and captivating plants, fritillaria meleagris, with the help of a scanning electron microscope. Through a variety of media she reveals the fragile and intricate forms of this plant, together with its strange and beautiful structures. 12 March-30 May (10am-6pm) Free, no ticket required Gateway Gallery, upstairs in the John Hope Gateway

ALL AGES

Plants and fungi produce chemicals to defend themselves against attack and to attract animals that will aid their reproduction and dispersal. They can even communicate using chemistry! Explore the chemistry of nature with hands-on activities. And don’t miss the short talks at noon and 2pm. With RBGE and the University of Edinburgh. 9 April View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

AGES 5+

BOTANICS THE POWER OF N

FANTASTIC FORESTS

Air is 78% nitrogen but, for plants, getting the right amount of nitrogen is a matter of life and death. We have harnessed nitrogen to grow crops, but too much nitrogen can damage the environment. Discover the power of N with hands-on activities. And don’t miss the short talks at noon and 2pm. With RBGE and the University of Dundee.

Trees, woods and forests are important to Scotland’s economy, our communities and the environment. Find out about the key role they play and how forest research scientists are involved. With Forestry Commission Scotland and Forest Research.

10-11 April

14-15 April

AGES 5+

HEALING HERBS TALKING TREES STORYTELLING Meet the Talking Trees Storytellers and enjoy tales of trees and travellers, magic and marvels. 10, 17 April (2pm) • 1 hour • Free (no ticket required) • Patrick Geddes Room, Gateway AGES 5+

BUGS VS DRUGS

Traditional medicine is heavily based on plant remedies. See if you can match the plant to the ailment in the Healing Herbs game, make a bracelet with seeds from the Colombian rainforest and learn about Scottish and Colombian medicinal plants. Don’t miss the live link-up to botanists and traditional healers in Colombia at noon and 2pm. With RBGE, the University of Edinburgh, the University of Strathclyde and Sabedores-Sabedores. 16-17 April

AGES 5+

MORE THAN A SMELL ‘Scratch and sniff’ to discover what lies behind the smell of trees such as Scots Pines – special chemicals that defend against herbivores and diseases. Come and see the ‘bio-mimicry’ used in a raspberry beetle trap, based on the colour and smell of raspberry flowers. And don’t miss the short talks at noon and 2pm. With the James Hutton Institute. 18 April

AGES 5+

A BREATH OF FRESH AIR

A small army of bugs are fighting back! How can some bugs outsmart the drugs that are supposed to kill them? Join us and have fun discovering how drugs tackle disease and why it is important to use them wisely. With Moredun Research Institute. 12-13 April

AGES 5+

SONGS AT SUNRISE Enjoy an early morning tour of the Garden, honing your bird identification skills and taking a closer look at some interesting plants with an expert from the RSPB and an experienced RBGE Garden Guide. Bring your binoculars! 12, 19 April (7am) • 1 hour 30 mins Free (ticket required, limited spaces, email events@rbge.org.uk to book) Meet at West Gate, Arboretum Place

Lichens are good indicators of air quality as many of them are sensitive to atmospheric pollution. Play the ‘Colonise’ game to find out what influences lichen survival, and assess air quality for yourself using lichens as your guide. Don’t miss the short talks at noon and 2pm. With RBGE and the James Hutton Institute. 19 April

GROWING CARS AND THEIR FUEL Will cars of the future be made from and fuelled by plants? How could algae and microbes replace fossil fuels? Join scientists from the BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre to investigate biofuels and learn about the research into these and other plant products. Don’t miss the short talks at noon and 2pm. 20 April

FOOD LAB AGES 12+

Analytical, interactive and fun! Come and analyse our menu for the day. Find out what’s so special about liver, and which drinks have lots of glucose in them. Can you spot the healthy meal, and what colours are there in Smarties? With University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health. 21-22 April

AGES 5+

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

AGES 5+

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EDINBURGH ZOO As part of the 2011 Science Festival, Edinburgh Zoo is offering you the chance to get involved with one of Europe’s leading centres of conservation, education and research. DNA WORKSHOP Explore the scientific techniques used in television programmes like CSI from Edinburgh Zoo’s very own DNA experts. Get hands-on with genetics and find out about animal forensic science in this interactive workshop.

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT EDINBURGH ZOO

12 April (11am-4.30pm) • Free with admission to Edinburgh Zoo (adults £15.50, concessions £13, children £11) • Budongo Trail ALL AGES

This is your chance to get up close and personal with the zoo’s animals and learn how to take amazing photographs with the help of our knowledgeable guide. A must for snap-happy youngsters and animal enthusiasts. Packed lunches will be provided.

SLEEPOVER AT EDINBURGH ZOO

13 April (11am-3pm) • £22

When the sun goes down, the zoo comes alive… Stay overnight at Edinburgh Zoo and learn about animals’ after-dark behaviour. Take our torch-lit trails, enjoy a barbecue with new friends and take part in a programme of craft activities. Barbecue dinner and breakfast included. 12-13 April (6.30pm-9am) • £65

AGES 9+

Edinburgh Zoo is also offering a fantastic programme of adult events see pages 27, 34, 35, 38 and 40.

AGES 9+

SCIENCE SUMMER SCHOOL IS BACK! The Edinburgh International Science Festival is once again teaming up with Excel Sports Academy to present two fun-packed Science Summer Schools. They’re specially designed to encourage children aged from 8 to12 years to get creative, inventive and technical with science. Led by our experienced science communicators, Science Summer School is a chance to get really involved with hands-on workshops, experiments and mind-blowing demonstrations. Each day focuses on a different aspect of science and technology, including light and sound, chemistry, electricity and space.

Week One Week Two

11-15 July 2011 19-22 July 2011

Visit www.sciencefestival.co.uk for details.

Full programme and details of all Excel’s summer-camps are available at www.excel-sports.co.uk

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND & ADAM HOUSE There’s something to do for free every day at the National Museum of Scotland. It’s an experience the whole family will enjoy with plenty of gadgets, cosmic rays and science secrets. Open daily from 10am to 5pm. Discover Science is a fun, family-friendly event created by the University of Edinburgh. It runs from 9 to 22 April in the Museum and in Adam House across the road. These events are presented by real life scientists (University staff and students). Come to the ticket desks in the Museum and Adam House to find out more. Unless otherwise stated, events on this page are free and no ticket is required. Just drop in! NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND TALES OF THINGS AT THE MUSEUM Use a smartphone and the latest ‘tagging’ technology to attach your own stories to objects in the museum. View them online at www.talesofthings.com 9-11 April • Free

ALL AGES

SCIENCE SECRETS Get hands-on with museum scientists and curators as they reveal the secrets behind their work and how they care for our collections. A different themed investigation station each day!

Discover Science

CHEMISTRY WORKS Make a solar cell from straws, design a cancer therapy and investigate the properties of new materials. 13-17 April • Free

ALL AGES Discover Science

ARE WE COMPUTERS? How does the human mind work? Are we just sophisticated computers? Find out with experiments and robots. 13-17 April • Free

ALL AGES Discover Science

WINNING WAYS Discover how the mathematics of games can give you winning strategies for life. 13-17 April • Free

HUNTING THE HIGGS BOSON!

ALL AGES Discover Science

12-16 April (12noon4pm) • Free ALL AGES

GO GO GADGETS Release your inner inventor and make some cool contraptions and great gizmos from everyday stuff you find at home. Developed in memory of Jen Simpson, National Museums Scotland Learning Manager. 11-15, 18-22 April (11am, 3pm) • 1 hour Free

AGES 6+

WORKSHOPS GM’LL FIX IT?

Discover Science

In this hands-on workshop, join the Gene Jury team to explore genetic modification – where would you draw the line? 13-15 April (Ages 10+ 10.30am, 12noon) 16 April (Ages 14+ 10.30am, 12noon) 50 minutes • Free (ticket required)

AGES 10+

Drive your own particle accelerator, catch cosmic rays and understand the Higgs Boson! 13-22 April • Free

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

ALL AGES

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Discover Science

MEDICAL DETECTIVES

ADAM HOUSE Discover Science

Find out what Med and Vet scientists at the University are doing to keep people and animals healthy.

SCI-FUN AT DISCOVER SCIENCE

17-22 April • Free

A wide range of hands-on science exhibits for a wide range of people. Drop in any time!

ALL AGES Discover Science

EARTH MATTERS

9-15 April (9.30am-5pm) • Free

ALL AGES

WORKSHOPS Discover Science

I’M A NITROGEN MOLECULE – GET ME OUT OF HERE!

An interactive game to find out what cow poo, cars and food have in common! 9-10 April (12.15pm) • 1 hour £2.50 (ticket required) Our Earth’s environment is important to all of us. With our geoscientists, find out what is being done to preserve it. 18-22 April • Free

Discover Science

ROBOFUN

ALL AGES

Working in small groups, you will build and program LEGO robots using sensors and motors. All abilities welcome. 11-12 April (10am, 12.30pm, 3pm) 13-15 April (10am, 2pm) 2 hours • £3.50 (ticket required) AGES 9+

Discover Science

BIO-DISCOVERIES Find out what biology research is going on at the University, and do some hands-on stuff yourself! 18-22 April • Free

ALL AGES Discover Science

POP-UP ENGINEERING Make pop-ups – ingenious engineering mechanisms where flat cardboard shapes are specially designed to spring into exciting 3D models. 18-22 April • Free

ALL AGES

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FLIGHT FLYING START Follow the trail around our aircraft to discover how they fly before having a go at building your own. Will your model fly the furthest or flop the fastest? 22-25 April (12noon-3pm) Drop-in • Free with admission to the museum (adults £9.50, concessions £7.50, children 5-15 £4, under 5s and members free) AGES 3+

AGES 8+

Discover Science

NITROGEN AND YOU Do you think YOU could sort out a global environmental problem? Find out for real with this interactive computer game. 15 April (12.15pm) • 1 hour £2.50

AGES 10+

SHOWS THE SENSES SHOW

Discover Science

The 2009 show returns with new demonstrations of how our brain interacts with our senses, and how things are not always as they seem. 9-15 April (2.30pm) • 40 minutes Free (ticket required) AGES 7+

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILIES BANG GOES THE THEORY LIVE

ALL AGES

In the past two years, nearly a quarter of a million people have put science and technology to the test at BBC One’s Bang Goes the Theory LIVE. Following this success, Bang is back in 2011 and promises to be bigger and better than ever! Join the presenters for a brand new, action-packed show as they recreate some of the best stunts from the TV series and test, stretch and explode science live on stage. Then it’s your chance to get experimenting in the Bang Goes the Theory Interactive Area. Pick up some science tricks to impress your friends as Dr Yan demonstrates the best of his Street Science, and get hands-on with our interactive exhibits. You can also ask the presenters your burning questions in the special Meet the Team session at 5pm each day. Check out bbc.co.uk/bang for more details, exclusive videos and science demos you can try at home. 15-17 April • Live shows: 12.30pm and 3.30pm, Meet the Team: 5pm • Free (ticket required) • Assembly Hall Interactive Area: 11am-6pm • Free (no ticket required) • The Mound Precinct

VOLCANIC CITY WALK

AGES 7+

More than 300 million years ago, a volcano punched its way to the surface of what is now the city of Edinburgh. Take a stroll through streets and parks and find out how geology helped shaped the city’s development. 9, 11, 13, 15 April (2pm) • 1 hour 30 mins • Adults £10, concessions £8, under 16s £4 Meet at the bottom of The Mound Organised by Geowalks

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

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INTO THE DEEP

ALL AGES

Presented by Steve Bloom Images and Edinburgh International Science Festival Featuring spectacular images from Scottish seas and beyond, Into the Deep is a free outdoor exhibition of giant photographs, by renowned photographers, that start at the surface of the ocean and travel downwards to look at sharks, coral reefs and the creatures of the deep. At once, informative and entertaining, it’s a unique opportunity to see one of the most beautiful collections of underwater photographs available. 25 February-1 May (8am-6pm) • Free (no ticket required) • St Andrew Square

Lead supporter:

Supported by:

STREET SCIENCE

ALL AGES

With mind-boggling experiments and dazzling science demos, our tricycles of tricks take street performance to a whole new level. We don’t just make balloon animals, we dip them in liquid nitrogen! Find out the latest developments in Scottish science and witness explosions, weirdness and plenty of mess. Look out for our Street Science team in March and April at Science Festival events and locations across the city. Find out where we’ll be at www.sciencefestival.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @EdSciFest for real time Street Science updates. Edinburgh International Science Festival’s Tricycle of Tricks has been developed with support from a Scottish Government Science Engagement Grant. Many of the photographs throughout our brochure, including this one, were taken during the 2010 Science Festival by the talented young photographer, Jill Todd, who sadly passed away last year. We would like to express our gratitude for her contribution to the festival.

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL FAMILIES BLACKNESS CASTLE MEDIEVAL CONSTRUCTION SHOW Have you ever visited a castle and wondered how people built something so huge? Historic Scotland’s interactive show will help you find out. Discover how builders from the Middle Ages overcame forces of gravity and friction as you follow a block of stone’s journey from the bottom of a quarry to the top of a medieval arch.

EDINBURGH PRINTMAKERS CREATIVE CHEMISTRY: BLUEPRINT The blueprint, also known as a cyanotype, is one of photography’s oldest printing methods. Reminiscent of the alchemists of yesteryear, blueprinting creates photographs without the use of a camera. In this fascinating workshop, use negative images on acetate, tracing paper drawings and even real objects, to create a series of stunning, blueprinted images for you to take home.

8-9 April (11am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm) 40 minutes • Free with admission to the castle (adults £4.20, concessions £3.40, children 5-15 years £2.50) AGES 8+

CAMERA OBSCURA AND WORLD OF ILLUSIONS

13 April (10.30am) • 3 hours • £20

AGES 10+

OUR DYNAMIC EARTH OUR DYNAMIC NEWS For all you aspiring news reporters and TV presenters out there. Visit Our Dynamic Earth and become the producer of your very own podcast for the Dynamic Broadcasting Corporation, DBC. We’ll help you edit your podcast with sound bites and voice dynamics to create dramatic effects. And you’ll be able to access your work on our website.

SECRET SCIENCE MISSION Will you find your way out of the magical mirror maze? Can you shrink yourself like Alice in Wonderland in the amazing Ames room? Will you manage to stay on your feet in the vortex tunnel? 9-22 April (9.30am-6pm) • Allow 1 hour 30 mins Free with admission to Camera Obscura (adults £9.95, concessions £7.95, children 5-15 years £6.95. 10% admission discount with a Science Festival brochure) AGES 5+

EDINBURGH BUTTERFLY AND INSECT WORLD TROPICAL PARADISE An unforgettable experience handling exotic animals and insects at Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World. As well as your visit to the world’s longest running butterfly house, your ticket is also a pass for the Reptile, Nocturnal and Bugs ’n’ Beasties zones. 9-22 April • 12noon, 3pm • 1 hour Free with admission to Butterfly and Insect World (adults £6.95, concessions £5.95, children 3-15 years £4.95) ALL AGES

11-15, 18-22 April (10.30am, 2pm) • 1 hour 30 mins £2.95 or free with admission to Our Dynamic Earth (adults £10.80, concessions £9.50, children 3-15 years £7.20) AGES 9+

STARS R US The atoms from which we are constructed were forged in the nuclear furnaces of long dead stars. From those, chemical processes occurring in the cold and dark depths of space made molecules with the potential for life. Join us for a fascinating tour of the new science of astrochemistry. 8-10 April (10am-5.50pm) • Free (no ticket required). Admission to Our Dynamic Earth is charged (adults £10.80, concessions £9.50, children 3-15 years £7.20) Presented by Heriot-Watt University

ST JAMES CENTRE INTERACTION IN ACTION Drop in to the St James Centre and sample a selection of handson science activities. Don’t forget to take a look in the Start Living Climate Change Shop, where you can buy ecologicallyminded products and ethically-produced local food, and receive impartial advice on making your lifestyle more sustainable. 9-22 April (10am-5pm) • Free Supported by St James Centre

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

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ROYAL OBSERVATORY EDINBURGH SO, YOU WANT TO BE AN ASTRONOMER?

ST GILES’ CATHEDRAL INSIDE THE ORGAN

Are you looking to find your way around the night sky? This workshop can help. Join us to explore some of the powerful equipment astronomers use in their work and find out how they are able to see invisible objects in space.

Jeremy Sampson, animateur, leads a workshop in which he introduces the basic science behind the ‘king of instruments’. Participants form a team to build and play this working model, and discover the connection between the kitchen sink and the organ.

12, 14, 19 April (3pm) • 1 hour 30 mins £5 (accompanying adults £4) Royal Observatory Edinburgh

AGES 8+

UNIVERSE CHALLENGE Watch professional astronomers take on the amateurs as they test their knowledge of the universe in our panel quiz. Join in with your very own buzzer and see how the rest of the audience answered. And, if they get stuck, the teams may even ask you for a lifeline. 21 April (7pm) • 1 hour 30 mins Adults £5, concessions £4

AGES 10+

SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE PROFESSOR EGGHEAD’S TERN AROUND THE WORLD How far would you be prepared to go in search of a good meal? Could you make it all the way across the globe? Professor Egghead needs your help as he embarks on an epic journey of stamina, skill and survival in a new live show. Have you got what it takes to take a tern around the world?

16 April (10.30am) • 45 minutes Free (ticket required)

AGES 9+

STEVENSON COLLEGE EDINBURGH VIDEO GAME STUDIO Could you develop the next Mario? If you dream of a career in games development, this workshop – run by Abertay University’s renowned games design competition Dare to be Digital – is the one for you! You will learn about the games industry, work in a team to try out some of the current technology and find out more about the different roles involved in video game creation. Best of all – you’ll create a small piece of animated video game to take home with you. 11-12 April, 13-14 April (9am-4pm) £70 for 2 day workshop

AGES 12-16

Presented in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Computer Games Education at Abertay University and Stevenson College Edinburgh.

Supported by:

9-22 April (2pm) • 45 minutes • Free with admission to the Discovery Centre (adults £7.95, concessions £5.95, children 4-15 years £4.50) AGES 4+

USHER HALL

DR BUNHEAD IN PYROMANIA Blow your mind, pop your eyeballs, poop your pants! Celebrate the International Year of Chemistry with TV’s most extreme scientist (Brainiac, Blue Peter, The Slammer). Dr Bunhead joyrides through a heart-stopping ‘multi-themed barrage of hilarious contraptions’ (Stage) in his latest ‘pyrotechnic extravaganza’ (Daily Mail), explaining and exploding as your science teacher never did. Book early to become part of the live Guinness World Record attempt to create the longest glow-in-the-dark necklace ever made. 9 April (2pm, 7.30pm) • £9/£6 (families 2 adults, 2 children £28)

AGES 7+

Guinness World Record attempt supported by:

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

AT A GLANCE APRIL 9 CITY ART CENTRE (9.30am-4.30pm)

p8-11

SCOTTISH STORYTELLING: AUTHORS

p12

SCOTTISH STORYTELLING: EVENTS

p13

ATOMISE AT THE BOTANICS (10am-5pm)

p14-15

BOTANICS (10am-6pm)

p16

APRIL 10

APRIL 11

APRIL 12

APRIL 13

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL Horrible 2pm

Murderous 2pm

Buzzing 2pm

Robot 2pm

Weather 2pm

Dr Who 11am

Batty Fast Charlie Food Dive! Archimedes 10.30am, 12noon 10.30am, 12noon 10.30am, 12noon 10.30am, 12noon 10.30am, 12noon

Songs 7am

EDINBURGH ZOO

DNA 11am-4.30pm

p17

Photography 11am-3pm

Sleepover 6.30pm-9am

NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTLAND (10am-5pm) p18-19 GM’ll Fix It 10.30am-12noon

ADAM HOUSE (9.30am-5.30pm)

p19

Molecule 12.15pm

Time 2.30pm

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FLIGHT (10am-5pm)

p19

ASSEMBLY HALL

p20

THE MOUND PRECINCT

p20

BOTTOM OF THE MOUND

p20

ST ANDREW SQUARE (8am-6pm)

p21

BLACKNESS CASTLE

p22

CAMERA OBSCURA (9.30am-6pm)

p22

BUTTERFLY WORLD (10am-5pm)

p22

EDINBURGH PRINTMAKERS

p22

OUR DYNAMIC EARTH

p22

ROYAL OBSERVATORY

p23

SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE (10am-5pm)

p23

ST GILES’ CATHEDRAL

p23

STEVENSON COLLEGE

p23

Video Game 9am-4pm

USHER HALL

p23

Dr Bunhead 2pm, 7.30pm

Volcanic Walk 2pm

Robofun 10am, Robofun 10am, 12.30pm, 3pm 12.30pm, 3pm

Time 2.30pm

Robofun 10am, 2pm

Time 2.30pm

Volcanic Walk 2pm

Medieval 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 2.30pm

Blueprint 10.30am-1.30pm Stars 10am-5pm

Stars 10am-5pm

News 10.30am, 2pm

News 10.30am, 2pm Astronomer 3pm

Video Game 9am-4pm

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

News 10.30am, 2pm

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APRIL 14

APRIL 15

APRIL 16

APRIL 17

APRIL 18

APRIL 19

APRIL 20

APRIL 21

APRIL 22

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL Snot 11am, 2pm

WORKSHOPS AND SHOWS EVERY 45 MINUTES EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL Songs 7am

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL GM’ll Fix It GM’ll Fix It GM’ll Fix It 10.30am-12noon 10.30am-12noon 10.30am-12noon Robofun 10am, 2pm

Robofun 10am, 2pm Nitrogen 12.15pm

Time 2.30pm

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL Bang Show Bang Show Bang Show 12.30pm, 3.30pm 12.30pm, 3.30pm 12.30pm, 3.30pm Bang Live 11am-6pm

Bang Live 11am-6pm

Volcanic Walk 2pm INTO THE DEEP

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL

bloom.com © Alex Mustard/steve

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL

News News News News 10.30am, 2pm 10.30am, 2pm 10.30am, 2pm 10.30am, 2pm

News News 10.30am, 2pm 10.30am, 2pm Astronomer 3pm

Astronomer 3pm

News 10.30am, 2pm

Universe 7pm

EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL Organ 10.30am Video Game 9am-4pm

Video Game 9am-4pm

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS Join us for the unexpected, the controversial and, the entertaining. There are international guests, world thinkers and award-winning writers – all appearing in some of Edinburgh’s most inspiring venues. The Science Festival Events programme is designed for visitors aged 14+. Other age recommendations may apply and tickets for events where alcohol is served will only be available to those aged 18+ (proof of age may be required). This year, we have extended our programme of debate and discussion to even more venues across the city. Look out for events at new venues, such as the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Camera Obscura. And don’t forget to look up our series of evening events for adults only. The University of Edinburgh’s Informatics Forum provides the central hub for Science Festival Events. Make the most of your visit by arriving with enough time to have a drink in our licensed café and browse our on-site bookshop (presented by Blackwells). It’s a unique opportunity to visit this stateof-the-art building and meet some of the Forum’s robot ambassadors.

EARLY BIRD OFFERS Buy 4 tickets to events in our Science Festival Events programme (pages 26-40) and receive a 5th ticket free (cheapest ticket free, only valid for 5 separate events). Book by phone or in person before Saturday 2 April.

THROUGHOUT THE SCIENCE FESTIVAL CLAUDE CAHUN AND SUE TOMPKINS This Inverleith House exhibition is the first solo UK museum exhibition of photographs by the celebrated surrealist photographer, Claude Cahun (1894-1954), and the first major solo exhibition in Scotland by Sue Tompkins (b.1971). 26 Feb-17 April (10am-5.30pm) • Free (no ticket required) • Inverleith House

THE CUBE PROJECT How can one person live in a way that minimises their impact on the environment? The University of Hertfordshire’s CUBE Project envisages the design of a compact home, no bigger on the inside than 3x3x3 metres. Prototype QB1 is visiting Edinburgh during the Science Festival, bringing environmental issues to the fore and showcasing ideas that can be applied more widely. 9-22 April (9am-6pm) • Free (no ticket required) On top of Princes Mall Organised by the University of Hertfordshire

THE EDINBURGH MEDAL: PROFESSOR CARL DJERASSI The Edinburgh Medal is awarded each year to men and women of Science and Technology whose professional achievements are judged to have made a significant contribution to the understanding and wellbeing of humanity. In 2011, it is awarded to Professor Carl Djerassi, an American chemist, novelist and playwright, and Emeritus Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University. He is best known for his contribution to the development of the first oral contraceptive pill in 1951 for which he won the National Medal of Science in the USA. Following a ceremony on 12 April to receive the award, Professor Djerassi will deliver the Edinburgh Medal address, Science, Sex and Theatre: A Potent Brew (see page 31).

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS 1989 Professor Abdus Salam 1990 Professor Stephen J Gould 1991 Professor Jane Goodall 1992 Professor Heinz Wolff 1993 Professor Wangari Maathai 1994 Professor Manuel Pattarroyo

1995 Sir John Crofton 1996 Professor Richard Levins 1997 Professor Amartya Sen 1998 Sir David Attenborough 1999 Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell 2000 Professor Lynn Margulis

1989 Professor Abdus Salam 1990 Professor Stephen J Gould 1991 Professor Jane Goodall 1992 Professor Heinz Wolff 1993 Professor Wangari Maathai 1994 Professor Manuel Pattarroyo 2001 Sir John Sulston 1995 Sir John Crofton 2002 Dr Lise Kingo 1996 Professor Richard Levins 2003 Professor Wang Sung 1997 Professor Amartya Sen 2004 Professor Steven Rose 1998 Sir David Attenborough 2005 Professor Colin Blakemore 1999 Professor Jocelyn Bell Burnell 2006 Professor James Lovelock

2000 Professor Lynn Margulis 2001 Sir John Sulston 2002 Lise Kingo 2003 Professor Wang Sung 2004 Professor Steven Rose 2005 Professor Colin Blakemore 2007 Dr Richard Horton 2006 Professor James Lovelock 2008 Professor Chris Rapley 2007 Dr Richard Horton 2009 Professor Jonathan Beckwith 2008 Professor Chris Rapley 2010 Sir Alex Jefferies 2009 Professor Jonathan Beckwith

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

T UL TS ADVEN E

SATURDAY 9 APRIL

STARDUST PIN-UPS

PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP AT EDINBURGH ZOO

A highly charged exhibition of paintings and prints by Michael Ward, looking at energy, mass, matter, flux and molecular structure –exploring our understanding of the universe and our place in it. 4 April-14 May (Mon-Tue, Thu-Sat 11am-5pm)• Free (no ticket required)• Di Rollo Gallery

ENLIGHTENMENT: THE ART OF SCIENCE This exhibition by David McIntyre uses photography to create abstract and beautiful images that interpret research currently being conducted within six of the top research institutes in Scotland, and looks at innovative ways to deal with a changing climate, alternative energy sources, conserving biodiversity and combating infectious disease. 9-22 April • Free (no ticket required) Outdoor exhibition on top of Princes Mall Supported by Moredun Research Institute

Presented by Steve Bloom Images and Edinburgh International Science Festival, Into the Deep is a free outdoor exhibition of giant photographs that start at the surface of the ocean and travel downwards to look at sharks, coral reefs and the creatures of the deep.

25 February-1 May (8am-6pm) St Andrew Square

11am-3pm • £28 • Edinburgh Zoo

AGES 16+

THE ANCIENT ART OF NATURAL GUT STRING MANUFACTURE Natural gut has been used for making musical instruments for hundreds of years. Frances Davies from Bow Brand demonstrates its natural qualities and behaviour, the reasons for its continued use, and the distinctive and beautiful sounds the material can produce.

INTO THE DEEP

The perfect opportunity for amateurs and professionals to capture images of Edinburgh Zoo’s inspiring animal collection, and to meet and chat to fellow photographers. The workshop will take place with a guide, who will be able to provide tips and advice. Lunch is included.

ALL AGES

11.15am • 1 hour • £7 (tickets available from Hub Tickets, 0131 473 2000 or www.hubtickets.co.uk) Merchiston Castle School Part of the Edinburgh International Harp Festival workshop series

THE END OF THE AGE OF DISCOVERY Science, by its very nature, is always progressive. Or is it? Join physics professor Russell Stannard as he discusses whether the advances made through scientific discovery may one day come to an end. Will we, or more likely our descendants, discover everything? Or are there areas of science that are just too large for the human brain to comprehend? 12noon • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Oxford University Press

SCIENCE AND SEA MONSTERS Lead supporter:

Is there really a chance that undiscovered giant marine life might exist? Ignore all the clichés and what you see on TV and join Dr Charles Paxton from the University of St Andrews as he delves into the deep and attempts to discover the truth about sea monsters.

Supported by:

2pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum

THIS PERVASIVE DAY Soon, wearable technology will mean that everyday items we carry on our bodies – phones, clothing and laptops – will be able to sense and alter our moods and make changes to our environments, with or without our knowledge. This interactive exhibition explores the exciting possibilities and potential dangers. 9-19 April (12noon-8pm) • Free (no ticket required) Inspace

‘AH KENT YER FAITHER’: FACTS AND FICTIONS IN SOCIAL MOBILITY Social mobility is both fascinating and controversial. Join professors Ian Deary and Lindsay Paterson as they present findings from their recent research exploring issues of social inequality versus personal opportunity, and ask whether education can transcend the class divide. 4pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum

Organised by School of Computing, Edinburgh Napier University View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS ATLANTIS: A WORLD BEYOND WORDS

SCREENING

Luc Besson’s awe-inspiring celebration of the beauty and wonder of the world beneath the sea. Explore the thrilling and mysterious world of ocean life as you’ve never seen it before. Atlantis’s graceful images of mantas, whales, dolphins and sharks at play will stay with you long after the film ends. Introduction and postscreening Q&A. 6.15pm (also 16 April) • 78 mins • £7.50/£5.50 Filmhouse

QUANTUM: EINSTEIN, BOHR AND THE GREAT REALITY DEBATE

ROAD TO ROBOCUP: A QUESTION OF STRATEGY What’s on the minds of football players when they charge down the pitch? What do they need to know about what the other players are thinking? Dr Subramanian Ramamoorthy and Professor Sethu Vijayakumar, from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics, explore the principles of decision-making and how they can be used to create nimble robots to match us on the football pitch and beyond. 4pm (also 10, 11 April) • 1 hour Free (ticket required) • Inspace Organised by:

6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Icon Books

SLEEPOVER AT EDINBURGH ZOO Join us for a night out with a difference. Find out what the animals get up to after dark by spending a night at Edinburgh Zoo. Including plenty of after-hours entertainment, dinner and drinks, the sleepover promises to be a night to remember. 6.30pm-9am (also 16, 22 April) • £80 Edinburgh Zoo

ZOMBIE SCIENCE IZ: A SPOOF LECTURE ON THE UNDEAD 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, its potential effect on humans and, most importantly, how to stop it. 4pm (also 10 April) • 1 hour • £4 Storytelling Centre

Most of us see quantum theory as a mysterious, impenetrable science, but did you know that for many years it was equally baffling to scientists? Manjit Kumar explores the history and the impact of this fundamental scientific revolution, its main protagonists and the ongoing divisive debates at its core.

AGES 15+

AGES 18+

SCIENCE HERO: DR BONNIE DUNBAR, ASTRONAUT Dr Bonnie Dunbar has achieved more in her life than most. She has pursued and accomplished her dreams, as well as the dreams of NASA. She has spent more than 50 days in space, as well as flying more than 1,300 hours as a pilot and co-pilot. Come along for your chance to meet an inspirational woman. 7pm • 1 hour • £4 Storytelling Centre

AGES 16+

Supported by

THE BIG BANG MACHINE: ENGINEERING THE LARGE HADRON COLLIDER It’s the world’s biggest scientific experiment: a 27km machine that recreates the beginnings of the universe. But how does it work? Join comedian Robin Ince, Professor Jon Butterworth and Dr Lyn Evans to discuss the engineering challenges of the project. 8pm • 1 hour • £10/£8 • Informatics Forum

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

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SUNDAY 10 APRIL SCIENCE FESTIVAL CHURCH SERVICE

FLIPNOSIS: THE ART OF SPLIT SECOND PERSUASION

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and the Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral invite you to the annual church service celebrating the opening of the Edinburgh International Science Festival. 11.30am • 1 hour • Free (no ticket required) St Giles’ Cathedral

DISSECTIONS UNCUT On Channel 4’s Inside Natures Giants, scientists went under the skin of four massive animals to figure out what made them tick. Join presenter Simon Watt as we look at some of the fascinating science that didn’t make the final cut. 12noon • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum SCREENING

20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA Climb aboard the Nautilus and enter a strange underwater world of spellbinding adventure in Disney’s adaptation of the Jules Verne novel. Kirk Douglas, Paul Lukas and Peter Lorre star as shipwrecked survivors kidnapped by the mysterious Captain Nemo, portrayed by James Mason. He has launched a deadly crusade across the seven seas but can the crew of captives expose him before he destroys the world? Introduction and postscreening Q&A.

A fascinating exploration of the techniques of persuasion; how we convince, influence and lead others in the tradition of Emotional Intelligence. Why are some people natural leaders? How do they influence, persuade and sometimes manipulate others. From the political genius of someone like Nelson Mandela to the malign influence of sociopaths and conmen, Kevin Dutton explores what psychology can teach us of the techniques of persuasion. 4pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Random House

ROAD TO ROBOCUP: A QUESTION OF STRATEGY See 9 April for full listing. 4pm • 1 hour • Free (ticket required) • Inspace

Organised by:

ZOMBIE SCIENCE IZ: A SPOOF LECTURE ON THE UNDEAD See 9 April for full listing. 4pm • 1 hour • £4 • Storytelling Centre

AGES 15+

1pm • 127 minutes • £7.50/£5.50 • Filmhouse

MASSIVE: THE HUNT FOR THE GOD PARTICLE

A ZEPTOSPACE ODYSSEY TO THE HEART OF MATTER

In the early 1960s, three groups of physicists, working independently in different countries, stumbled upon an idea that would change physics forever. Ian Sample tells the story of a competitive, ambitious and imaginative race to discover the Higgs Boson, the ‘God particle’ – the explanation of the origin of mass – and discusses its massive impact.

Two authors come together to demonstrate the inner workings of the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider, CERN’s experiment examining the birth of the universe. Emma Sanders has created a pop-up book for adults to demonstrate the inner workings of the LHC, while Gian Giudice’s work explores physics of extra dimensions.

2pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Ebury Publishing

6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum

SCREENING

THE BIG BLUE A rare screening of Luc Besson’s cult classic with a memorable soundtrack by Eric Serra. This beautiful and contemplative love story, starring Jean-Marc Barr, Rosanna Arquette and Jean Reno, tells the story of a man torn between life on land and the intense and perilous underwater world of free diving. Will he choose his earthly love, or will the aquatic paradise of his dreams call him to the sea? Introduction and post-screening Q&A. 3.45pm • 10 April (also 17 April)• 168 minutes £7.50/£5.50 • Filmhouse

CYSTIC FIBROSIS: BETTER UNDERSTANDING, BETTER LIVES Cystic fibrosis is the UK’s most common inherited disease. Only a few decades ago, most affected individuals were not expected to live much beyond infancy. However, early identification and specialist patient care, along with continuing research in physiology and the development of new drug therapies, are making a real difference. Physiologist Dr David Sheppard, University of Bristol, and Vicky Cowell, the mother of a cystic fibrosis patient, will provide insight into cutting edge research that has the potential to change lives. 8pm • 1 hour • £7/£5 • Informatics Forum Organised by the Physiological Society

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS SCREENING

SCIENCE THEATRE

WONDERS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM

At its best, theatre can be an accessible and provocative way of telling stories of science to a wide audience. 2011 Edinburgh Medal recipient Carl Djerassi, co-inventor of the contraceptive pill and playwright, joins Nigel Townsend, artistic director of the renowned Y Touring theatre company, who produce work addressing tough ethical issues, to discuss science theatre and share clips and readings. 8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Traverse Theatre

MONDAY 11 APRIL THE PHYSICS OF MUSIC AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS Making music is essentially an artistic activity, but it is also a practical craft. Musicians can benefit from understanding the ways in which sound is created by instruments and perceived by listeners. Join Murray Campbell to explore the physics and acoustics of musical sound and how it is processed by the human brain. 11.15am • 1 hour • £7 (tickets from Hub Tickets, 0131 473 2000 or www.hubtickets.co.uk) Merchiston Castle School Part of the Edinburgh International Harp Festival workshop series

DR DEATH AND THE MEDI-EVIL MEDICINE SHOW A scientifically and historically accurate pantomime for young people and the young at heart. Sneezes, wheezes and diseases are never welcome but, in the past, the illness could sometimes seem better than the cure. Join the time-travelling Dr Death, aka Simon Watt, to see if he can cure you. Warning: this show promises blood, guts and gore. 4pm (also 12 April) • 1 hour • £4 Storytelling Centre

See a special one-off screening from this fascinating series and listen to Professor Brian Cox describe how the laws of nature, freed from earthbound constraints, carve spectacular sights through the solar system. Introduction and post-screening Q&A. 6.15pm • 90 minutes • £10/£8 • Filmhouse

CAN NEUROSCIENCE EXPLAIN IRRATIONALITY IN HUMAN DECISION-MAKING? Rationally speaking, decisions are made on the basis of receiving either punishment or reward. However, recent research suggests that, in reality, this may not be the case. Join Professor Ray Dolan from University College London to explore human decision-making strategies and how they can be corrupted. 6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by the Royal Society

AGES 15+

ROAD TO ROBOCUP: A QUESTION OF STRATEGY BAD IDEAS: AN ARRESTING HISTORY OF OUR INVENTIONS Human beings are clever. Our intellect and ability to design and use tools have allowed us to dominate the planet on which we live. But have our ideas and their impact left us vulnerable? Professor Lord Robert Winston outlines the threats now faced by humanity as a result of our inventions and explores how a healthier relationship between science and society could secure mankind’s future on Earth. 6pm • 1 hour • £10/£8 • George Square Theatre Organised by Transworld

See 9 April for full listing. 6pm • 1 hour • Free (ticket required) • Inspace

Organised by:

SHINING LIGHT ON THE HUMAN BODY Professor Chris Cooper examines how light can be used to measure the body’s functions. Studies by his laboratory include measuring the development of brain function in children, exploring the movements of the brain during brain damage and brain training computer games, and measuring muscle activity in athletes. 8pm • 1 hour • £7/£5 • Informatics Forum

Supported by: Supported by:

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

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TOO MANY PEOPLE! CONFRONTING THE POPULATION DILEMMA Can this planet sustain the number of people our population is heading for? Almost certainly not, but rarely do we hear calls to reduce our numbers. 2011 Edinburgh Medal recipient Carl Djerassi, co-inventor of the contraceptive pill, Sara Parkin, founding director of Forum for the Future, and Aubrey Manning, zoologist and broadcaster, discuss the thorny issues of religion, contraception, economics and women’s right to choose, as they take on the population taboo. Chaired by Richard Holloway, former Bishop of Edinburgh. 8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • George Square Theatre

TUESDAY 12 APRIL BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS COLLECTIONS CENTRE An opportunity to get behind the scenes to see where National Museums Scotland store and conserve many of their amazing objects and specimens. 2pm (also 19 April) • 1 hour Free (ticket required, book through National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 from 1 March) National Museums Collections Centre, West Granton Road AGES 16+

CINEMATIC SCIENCE: SPACE, TIME, MACHINE AND MONSTER 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 that are now part of reality. 4pm • 1 hour • £4 • Storytelling Centre

BETWEEN THE FOLDS Discover the remarkable artistic and scientific creativity that fuels the art of origami and fuses science and sculpture, form and function, and ancient and new. Ten provocative characters converge on the art of paper-folding and discover the ingenious and expressive ways it can enhance our understanding of the world around us. Introduction and post-screening Q&A. 6.15pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £7.50/£5.50 • Filmhouse

SCIENCE, SEX AND THEATRE: A POTENT BREW Edinburgh Medal Address by Carl Djerassi. Two scientific inventions have led to the current divorce of sex and reproduction: the Pill and IVF, leading respectively to sex without reproductive consequences and reproduction without sexual intercourse. Here Carl discusses how the fusion of science and theatre can stimulate debate on these central societal issues. 6.30pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £10/£8 City Chambers

THE MATHEMATICS OF HOLES Mathematics may begin with numbers, but it doesn’t end there. Motions, machines, computations and colourings are all mathematical territory. Join Robert Ghrist from the University of Pennsylvania to explore topology, the mathematical study of the holes in our world. When your mobile loses a call, or your GPS mistakes your route, mathematics will have an explanation. 7pm • 1 hour • £5/£4 International Centre for Mathematical Sciences

MEAT ME IN THE MIDDLE Our increasing population needs more food from less land and with lower financial input. Yet we’re turning away from processed meat and dairy, towards quality produce from a sustainable source. Professor David Hume, director of The Roslin Institute, discusses what this means for animal welfare. 6pm • 1 hour • £7/£5 • Informatics Forum Organised by The Roslin Institute

WHY WE HAVE FIVE FINGERS AND TOES From texting to walking to the shops, our lifestyles are wholly dependent on the shape and structure of our hands, feet, fingers and toes. There are vast differences in shape between animal and human appendages but all are based on a single blueprint in embryonic development that leads to five digits. Join Professor Robert Hill of the Medical Research Council Human Genetics Unit to hear more about the evolutionary history of our wonderful fingers and thumbs. Chaired by Professor Nicholas Hastie. 8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by MRC Human Genetics Unit

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS CAMERA OBSCURA AND WORLD OF ILLUSIONS BY NIGHT Edinburgh’s amazing world of illusions opens its doors for a special, adult-only evening of optical tomfoolery, magic tricks and mind games. This unique event includes hands-on demonstrations of why seeing isn’t necessarily believing, an exhibition of raunchy illusions usually kept under lock and key, and a rare night-time viewing of the Camera Obscura itself. 8pm (also 21 April) • 1 hour 30 mins £10/£8 Camera Obscura AGES 18+ Organised by Science Festival 2011Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

WEDNESDAY 13 APRIL MOBILE APPS GROUP Did you know that barriers to developing and selling mobile phone applications are lower than for any other type of technology? The Mobile Apps Group aims to bring together anyone interested in mobile app development to create a unique community of tools and support for fellow users. 6pm • 1 hour • Free (ticket required) • Inspace

WHO PROFITS FROM CLIMATE CHANGE? Can technology provide an answer to climate change? And can legal rights and patents block progress in favour of private profit? In short, invention may not necessarily benefit wider society. Is there a way to encourage new technologies while ensuring they are used as widely and fairly as possible? This interactive debate brings together a diverse panel: Adam Bruce, Head of Corporate Affairs at Mainstream Renewable Power; Danush Dinesh, British Council Climate Champion for Scotland; and Patrick Harvey MSP. Chaired by Dr Abbe Brown from the University of Edinburgh’s School of Law. 6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 Informatics Forum Organised by University of Edinburgh School of Law SCREENING

THE FILMS OF JEAN PAINLEVÉ Painlevé was one of the first filmmakers to shoot underwater. He began his pioneering work in the 1920s, documenting and dramatising the private lives of animals in the coastal waters of his native France. This programme features highlights from his long career as a poetic observer of underwater life. Introduction and post-screening Q&A. 6pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £7.50/£5.50 • Filmhouse

GENOMICS POETRY COMPETITION READING PARTY In 2010, the Economic and Social Research Council Genomics Network and the Scottish Poetry Library devised a poetry competition: write a poem on the theme ‘Improving the Human’. Join us to meet the winners, hear a reading of their work and raise a toast to poetry and science. 6.30pm • 1 hour 30 mins • Free (no ticket required) Scottish Poetry Library AGES 18+

CHEERS! THE SCIENCE OF WINE AND COCKTAILS Does expensive wine taste any different to cheap plonk, and can wine experts really taste the difference? How can science help you make the perfect cocktail? Join Dr Miles Thomas, Dr Andrea Sella and Richard Wiseman for a tipple or two as they investigate how your brain is wired for wine and whether it really is better to be shaken not stirred. Demonstrations will explore how you taste and you can take part in the festival’s Great Taste Test. 7.30pm • 1 hour 45 mins • £8/£6 John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (entrance via Arboretum Place) AGES 18+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

THE STARS ARE OURS! Beginning with a death in a cold, dank stone room in the 16th century comes a story of a lost nose, the inquisition, a sea battle, dungeons, princes and kings; of astronomers, artists, explorers, sea captains, politicians and priests. From England, France, South Africa, America and the South Pacific comes a history that led to one of the greatest of all intellectual achievements and potentially the biggest scientific payoff of all time. Professor Don Kurtz tells of our control of the power of the stars and the ultimate future energy source for all humans. 8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum

THURSDAY 14 APRIL HERITAGE SCIENCE IN ACTION A unique chance to see some of the scientific investigation of museum objects carried out in the National Museums Scotland’s specialist laboratories. 2pm (also 21 April) • 1 hour • Free (ticket required, book through National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 from 1 March) National Museums Collections Centre, West Granton Road AGES 16+

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

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COUNTING DOTS

AFTER DOLLY Genetic modification of animals raises controversial ethical questions. Join bio-ethicist Peter Sandoe from Copenhagen University and Bruce Whitelaw, from the institute that cloned Dolly the sheep, to explore this fascinating topic. Take part in the debate and express your views to those directly involved in animal research.

Join Professor Keith Ball, the Scientific Director of the International Centre for Mathematical Sciences, to explore the fascinating story of Pick’s theorem. Georg Pick’s research used dots to measure the area of shapes. It later became the basis for fascinating discoveries about prime numbers, encryption and the children’s toy, Spirograph. 7pm • 1 hour • £5/£4 International Centre for Mathematical Sciences

6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum

ENCOUNTERS: NEUROSCIENCE IN FASHION

FICTION TO FUTURE: THE SCIENCE OF SCIENCE FICTION

What happens when a scientific technique becomes so popular it escapes from the medical arena into society? Marketing companies are already using brain imaging to test consumer preferences, and legal systems around the world are attempting to adapt the technology for lie detection. Join professors Joanna Wardlaw and Burkhard Schafer as they ask whether brain imaging is the new black.

Our panel of science fiction authors and scientists, including Ken Macleod, come together to discuss the possibilities of modern science; real and imagined. Find out how science fiction books and stories have influenced some of the inventions we use today.

6pm • 1 hour 30 mins • Free (ticket required) Inspace Organised by:

CITY ART CENTRE – WITHOUT THE KIDS

7pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £3 • Pleasance Organised by Blackwells

NOTHING BUT THE… READING SCIENCE FICTION POETRY Renew your love of poetry with this fresh approach to reading. No background knowledge is required for this relaxed discussion of the science fiction poetry of Edwin Morgan and others, over a glass of wine. Read deeply and let new discoveries emerge, without the pressure of reviews, criticism and hype. Facilitated by Lilias Fraser. 6pm • 90 minutes • £5/£3 (ticket includes a glass of wine) • Scottish Poetry Library AGES 18+ SCREENING

A ZED AND TWO NOUGHTS From controversial director Peter Greenway, this is the dark and perversely comic story of twin zoologists and their search for the meaning of life. When their wives die in a freak accident, their resulting obsession with evolution and decomposition becomes a series of exquisitely crafted, time-lapsed films on the process of decay. Introduction and post-screening Q&A with Frank Hepburn of BBC Scotland’s project, Afterlife: The Science of Decay. 6pm • 2 hours • £7.50/£5.50 • Filmhouse

THE SCIENCE OF WHISKY The appreciation of whisky is done as much with the nose as with the mouth. Charles Maclean, Master of the Quaich, author of 10 books about whisky and a world authority on the subject, explores the wonders of smell and taste in relation to whisky, and the language used by the whisky industry to describe them. 6pm • 1 hour • £15/£10 (includes samples) Whisky Heritage Centre AGES 18+

Join us as we open our flagship family venue for an evening of kid-free entertainment. This is an opportunity for the adventurous to join us for a glass of wine and try out some of our most popular events. Take a tour on our Jungle Safari, mix a blood milkshake at the Blood Bar and compete against each other in the Cosy Cosy Gameshow. Prepare to have some fun and rediscover your youth. 7.30pm • 2 hours • £10/£8 (includes a glass of wine) City Art Centre AGES 18+

WHISKY TASTING MASTERCLASS Following on from the theory, Charles Maclean will host a mentored tasting of a range of malt whiskies. He will explore aroma and taste more fully, and discuss where they come from in production and maturation. 8pm • 1 hour • £20 (includes whisky) Whisky Heritage Centre

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

AGES 18+

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS VATICAN SCIENCE: HOW MIRACLES ARE MADE

EVOLUTION: THE NEW CLASSICS

How does the Catholic Church decide when a miracle has happened? Do remarkable events prove the existence of supernatural forces or can we dismiss them as superstitious mumbojumbo? Join Reverend Dr Andrew Pinsent (Oxford University), Professor Richard Wiseman (University of Hertfordshire), Dr Caroline Watt and historian Dr Peter Lamont (both University of Edinburgh) for what promises to be a lively debate. 8pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £8/£6 Informatics Forum AGES 16+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

FRIDAY 15 APRIL EDINBURGH ZOO FOR BREAKFAST Take an early morning tour of the zoo with our Head of Animals, Conservation and Education, Iain Valentine, and see our amazing animals before we open to the public. Included is breakfast in the Mansion House, where Iain will answer your questions and share some wonderful stories of life at the zoo. 7.30-10am (also 16 and 22 April) • £20

AGES 14+

Edinburgh Zoo

NON BIO BOOM: THE WALLS HAVE EARS Seven years ago, a group of researchers set out to design a computer programme that could observe meetings and interpret conversations and staff behaviour. This programme would realise when staff were getting bored, take meeting minutes and allow users to search recorded conversations. Join Mike Lincoln from the School of Informatics as he explores the impact of this fascinating project. 6pm • 1 hour • Free (ticket required) • Inspace Organised by:

PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE MEDIA As mass media technology has advanced so too has its influence on shaping public opinion on health matters. Dr Shona Hilton of the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit explores the media’s influence on health issues. She will highlight how newspaper coverage is linked to public perception of the swine flu pandemic, and what impact the reports about celebrity illnesses like Jade Goody’s cancer can have on health behaviours. 6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by the MRC/CSO Social and Public Health SCREENING

OCÉANS Jacques Perrin and Jacques Culzaud’s ecological documentarydrama, filmed in underwater locations across the globe. Part thriller, part meditation, this film brings the vanishing wonders of the sub-aquatic world to our attention. Introduction and postscreening Q&A.

For centuries, Latin and Greek language and literature formed the basis of education in Britain. From the Classics, we learned about our roots, how to think and how to argue a case. The Classics taught us to see our own world more clearly, from the vantage point of a different one. Join Richard Dawkins as he proposes evolution as the new Classics; the basis of a new, unifying education that unites many subjects in a single grand vision and promotes the deeper understanding of human nature and our roots. 7.30pm • 1 hour • £10/£8 George Square Theatre

SATURDAY 16 APRIL EDINBURGH ZOO FOR BREAKFAST See 15 April for full listing. 7.30-10am • £20 • Edinburgh Zoo

LINE DIGITAL PRESENTS… UNDER THE HOOD Join Edinburgh-based digital design company Line as they showcase and explore the innovative ways in which the arts and digital sectors can collaborate. Drop in and discover the processes involved in creating usable interactive design, and try out ways of bringing new online experiences to the public. 10am-6pm • Free (no ticket required) Inspace

BLUEPRINTING WORKSHOP The blueprint, also known as a cyanotype, is one of photography’s oldest printing methods. Reminiscent of the alchemists of yesteryear, blueprinting creates photographs without the use of a camera. In this fascinating workshop, use negative images on acetate, tracing paper drawings and even real objects to create a series of stunning, blueprinted images to take home. 11am-4pm • £50/£40 (price includes lunch) Edinburgh Printmakers

6.15pm (also 16 and 18 April) • 1 hour 45 mins £7.50/£5.50 • Filmhouse

AGES 14+

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

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EGO TRICK

MADE IN SCOTLAND

What and who is the real you? Does it remain constant over time and place, or is it something more fragmented and fluid? Philosopher Julian Baggini presents a witty exploration of the idea of ego and delves into real life cases of lost memory, personality disorders and examples of complete personal transformation.

Take a journey back to the historic roots of the spectacular landscape of Scotland. Iain Stewart, from the BBC’s Making Scotland’s Landscape, tells the story of Scotland’s drift from the South Pole to its current position and explains how its geological union with England and Wales has helped us understand the workings of our planet.

12noon • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Granta Books

SCOTTISH HOMEOPATHY: SUGAR PILLS OR MEDICINE MIRACLE?

4pm • 1 hour • £10/£8 • Informatics Forum Supported by:

MUSIC: AN EXPLANATION BY A GUITAR HERO

The Scots spend more on homeopathic medicine than anyone else in the UK, but is homeopathy a value for money treatment option or a risk to public health? Simon Singh, science writer, journalist and co-author of Trick or Treatment: Alternative Medicine on Trial, explores the issues surrounding the real value of homeopathic treatment. 2pm • 1 hour • £10/£8 • Informatics Forum

SCIENCE AND THE KING JAMES BIBLE: INFLUENCE, CONFLUENCE OR CONFLICT? 2011 is the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Join a panel of experts to explore its role in the development of modern science, its influence on the thinking of Newton and Darwin, and its place in the modern debate between science and religion, and atheism and fundamentalism. 2pm • 3 hours • Free (no ticket required) St Mary’s Cathedral

AGES 15+ SCREENING

ATLANTIS

Join guitar physicist Dr Mark Lewney as he performs his own composition and takes you on a tour through the science of music. Find out the processes that take music from the vibrations of the instrument, through the ear and then on to the brain. Test your musical ear, learn the secret of Stradivarius and discuss the ultimate question: what is the purpose of music? 6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum

SLEEPOVER AT EDINBURGH ZOO See 9 April for full listing. 6.30pm-9am the following day • £80 Edinburgh Zoo

AGES 18+

HIGH SOCIETY: MIND-ALTERING DRUGS IN HISTORY AND CULTURE Every society is a high society: from coffee on a European terrace to hashish in a Himalayan temple. Cultural historian Mike Jay explores the spectrum of mind-altering substances available across the globe; the history of drugs in medicine, religion and recreation and how international trade in substances has shaped the modern world. 8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Thames and Hudson

See 9 April for full listing. 4pm • £7.50/£5.50 • Filmhouse

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS SUNDAY 17 APRIL CRACKING ANIMATION The Aardman Studios are without a doubt the biggest success story in recent British animation. Join writer Brian Sibley and Aardman’s David Sproxton as they talk about the company’s achievements (including eight Academy Award nominations), discuss animation history and technologies, and answer your questions. 2pm • 1 hour • £10/£8 • Informatics Forum Organised by Thames and Hudson

FUNNY WAY TO MAKE A LIVING Comedian Robin Ince and friends conduct live experiments into the science of comedy and laughter. Following last year’s sell-out event, the team set out to reveal the secret of timing, discover if people are born funny, and find out if computers can tell jokes. Don’t miss this unique combination of performance, improvisation and research. 2.30pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £10/£8 The Jam House AGES 18+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

BYOB (BUILD YOUR OWN BIOLOGY) What are the implications and possibilities of a world where the machines are alive? Imagine living systems that accurately diagnose disease, detect toxic chemicals and synthesise sustainable fuels. Dr Alistair Elfick guides us through the world of Synthetic Biology, the design of new biological systems and the repurposing of existing ones, and explains how this emergent technology poses new ethical questions for the social sciences.

NEUTRINO Frank Close, Professor of Physics at Oxford University, tells the story of Ray Davis, the first man to capture the neutrino and look into the heart of a star. Neutrinos are so near to nothing as to be almost invisible, but these amazing, ghostly particles from the centre of the sun could have much to tell us about the secrets of the universe. 6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Oxford University Press

IMPROBABLE RESEARCH: MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH, THEN THINK The Ig Nobel Prizes honour research that makes people laugh, then think. Join Ig Nobel organiser, editor of the magazine Annals of Improbable Research and Guardian columnist Marc Abrahams – plus a unique mix of Ig Nobel-winning scientists – and learn how swearing relieves pain, why named cows give more milk... and lots more. 7.30pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £10 • The Jam House

THE SCIENCE OF DOG TRAINING

4pm • 1 hour • £7/£5 • Informatics Forum Organised by University of Edinburgh Centre for Synthetic Biology

AN EVENING WITH JON RONSON AND RICHARD WISEMAN Two bestselling authors join forces for one night only to explore the outer reaches of the human mind. Jon Ronson (Them, The Men Who Stare at Goats) discusses his forthcoming book, The Psychopath Test, and finds audience members with the potential to become ruthless killers. Richard Wiseman (Quirkology, 59 Seconds) explores the science of the supernatural, revealing why we are all natural telepaths.

Does your dog have a mind of its own or does it obey your every command? Would you like to know the tricks of the trade that experts use to tame even the most unruly of animals? Hear pet behaviourist Elaine Henley explain the science of dog training and watch the canine stars of the Auchinlay Dog Agility Group demonstrate the results.

5pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £10/£8 The Jam House AGES 18+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

7.30pm • 1 hour 45 mins • £8/£6 George Square Theatre AGES 16+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

T UL TS ADVEN E

INCOMING! OR, WHY WE SHOULD STOP WORRYING AND LEARN TO LOVE THE METEORITE

MONDAY 18 APRIL BEYOND THE ABYSS: LIFE IN THE DEEPEST PLACES ON EARTH The deep sea is often thought of as a lifeless, barren frontier, but a recent revolution in exploratory technologies has given us unprecedented access to the oceans and shown us that life here is not an alien concept. Dr Alan Jamieson presents video footage and stills of some of the rarest, strangest and most beautiful animals in the ocean, including the deepest fish ever found. 6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum SCREENING

OCÉANS See 15 April for full listing. 6pm • Filmhouse

HALL OF SCIENCE: A NIGHT OF EXTREME DEMONSTRATIONS New research suggests that 470 million years ago, a collision in the Asteroid Belt bombarded the Earth with meteorites of all sizes. The emerging idea is that the resulting ecological disturbance may have been responsible for the single greatest increase in biological diversity since the origin of complex life – the hitherto unexplained Great Ordovician Biodiversity Event. Join author and geologist Ted Nield as he introduces these discoveries and challenges the view that meteorite strikes are always bad news for life on Earth. 8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Granta Books SCREENING

BIG BLUE See 10 April for full listing. 8.30pm • Filmhouse

IMPROBABLE AFTER DARK Join journalists from the Annals of Improbable Research and recipients of Ig Nobel awards (received for research that makes you laugh and think) for a riotous exploration of unique and unexpected science with a sense of humour. Find out first hand how swearing can relieve pain, what locusts think of Star Wars and why ostriches lust after humans in this darkly comic hour of scientific discovery. 9.30pm • 1 hour • £10 • The Jam House

A dynamic exposition of rarely seen scientific demonstrations inspired by the great Victorian show-and-tell events of the past. Gasp as an audience member lies on a bed of 1000 nails. Marvel as our million-volt Tesla coil throws bolts of lightning at a brave volunteer. Wonder at the extreme temperatures the human body can withstand. With Dr Ken Skeldon, Dr Alun Hughes and Dr Andy Schofield from the University of Aberdeen. 6.30pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £10/£8 The Jam House AGES 18+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

BIG TELESCOPES, BIG QUESTIONS What will the telescopes of the future look like, and how are Edinburgh’s scientists and engineers involved in designing and creating them? As telescopes get bigger and more sophisticated, this talk explores how astronomers will use them to answer the big questions of the universe. 7pm • 1 hour • £5/£4 • Royal Observatory Edinburgh

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS THE INTERNET: IN WHOSE IMAGE?

ORGAN TRANSPLANTS: FROM BENCH TO BEDSIDE

The Internet is now an integral part of our lives as we shop, find partners and share news through it. Increasingly, the government, broadcasters and advertisers are using it as a means of communicating with us. Join Government Digital Strategist David Pullinger as he explores the way our lives are increasingly lived online. Should we be asking questions about who owns our virtual identity?

Do you know someone who has suffered from from organ failure? The latest UK figures from 2009-10, tell us that 3,698 patients received organ transplants, with almost 8,000 patients registered for a transplant during the same period. This event will give an insight into the experiences of a transplant patient. Professor John Casey will discuss the problems and issues faced by a transplant surgeon and Professor Jamie Davies will explain how scientists are working to tackle the chronic shortage of transplant organs.

8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by The Church of Scotland

6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by The University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

UPGRADE! SCOTLAND Upgrade! is an international network of gatherings concerning art, technology and culture. At this gathering, we’ll sample some of the state-of-the-art research going on in the Informatics Forum.

OCÉANS

SCREENING

See 15 April for full listing.

8pm • 1 hour 30 mins • Free (ticket required) Inspace Organised by:

6pm • £7.50/£5.50 • Filmhouse

TUESDAY 19 APRIL BEHIND THE SCENES AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUMS COLLECTIONS CENTRE

What makes an animal an animal? See at first hand what the inner workings of a large mammal really look like as Edinburgh Zoo’s resident vet performs an animal post mortem before your very eyes. This educational event is literally a fascinating insight into animal biology. Strictly over-16s only.

See 12 April for full listing.

AGES 16+

2pm • 1 hour • Free (tickets required, book through National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 from 1 March) • National Museums Collections Centre, West Granton Road

EMOTION AS INTERFACE The new generation of computer systems are able to understand and alter our individual emotional states – and we may not even be aware of it. The products we use daily – our cars, clothes and music players – incorporate intelligent technologies that can adapt themselves and alter our environments according to our moods. Join a panel of experts, including Professor Kevin Warwick, Dr Jenny Tillotson and Professor Nikola Serbedzija, who work at the forefront of this research to debate the benefits, and possible dangers, this technology offers. 6pm • 1 hour (plus time to view exhibition) • £8/£6 (including glass of wine) • Inspace Organised by School of Computing, Edinburgh Napier University

ANIMAL POST MORTEM

6.30pm • 2 hours • £18 • Edinburgh Zoo

AGES 16+

DYNAMIC EARTH: LIFE ON THE ROCKS Join Scientific Director Professor Stuart Monro for a glass of wine as he reflects on how our planet works and the ways in which our understanding has developed and increased over his lifetime. Hear stories from Iceland, the Himalayas and New Zealand and take a guided tour of Our Dynamic Earth. 7pm • 2 hours • £10.50 Our Dynamic Earth

AGES 18+

ATOMISE LATER… Take the opportunity to explore our brand new exhibit without the kids. Celebrating the International Year of Chemistry, Atomise offers an explosive take on the world of chemical reactions, with plenty of chances to get your hands dirty and experience extra events the children don’t see. 7pm • 2 hours 30 mins • £15/£12 (includes entry to workshops and a glass of wine) • John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (entrance via Arboretum Place) AGES 18+

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

T UL TS ADVEN E

PRETTY PRETTY BANG BANG: THE SCIENCE OF FIREWORKS

WEDNESDAY 20 APRIL FROM HEALTHY EMBRYOS TO DESIGNER BABIES: HOW FAR IS TOO FAR? Under what circumstances should parents be allowed to have embryos screened prior to implantation? How serious does the risk of disease have to be before they can select a healthy embryo? And should parents be allowed to conceive a child to become a ‘saviour sibling’? Join us for an in-depth discussion where your views will help shape the way scientists take forward this agenda in Scotland. 2pm • 3 hours • Free (ticket required) National e-Science Centre Organised by Gengage and Genomic Forum

THE SIDNEY MICHAELSON MEMORIAL LECTURE: THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF THE SILVER SURFERS 60% of people over 65 who do not use the Internet say it’s not for them and 30% believe they do not have the skills. Does this actually mean they are too scared or confused even to try? Alan Newell uses theatre to present an entertaining and interactive discussion illustrating the challenges that older people face when trying to use the Internet. 6pm • 1 hour • Free (ticket required) Informatics Forum Organised by the British Computer Society

MIRROR MIRROR… THE SCIENCE OF COSMETICS Edinburgh stages some of the most impressive fireworks displays in the world, but what is the science behind these dazzling spectacles? Why do rockets roar and other fireworks quietly crackle? Professor Jackie Akhavan explains how these colourful explosions work, and demonstrates how to make the perfect firework. Includes live demonstrations so may not be suitable for those with sensitive hearing or a nervous disposition. 7.30pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 George Square Theatre AGES 16+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

HOW MANY FRIENDS DOES ONE PERSON NEED? Why should you be suspicious of someone who has more than 150 friends on Facebook? We are the product of our evolutionary history and this history colours our everyday lives – from why we kiss to how religious we are. Robin Dunbar explains why ‘Dunbar’s Number’ (150) is the maximum number of acquaintances you can have, why all babies are born prematurely and why there’s science in lonely-hearts columns. 8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Faber and Faber

Join Dr Maria Labedzka, from the London College of Fashion, and make-up artist Jak Morgan as they present an in-depth look at the science and art of cosmetics. How are lipstick, foundation and eyeliner developed? How do make-up artists change the way you look? Learn how to create your own cosmetics from scratch and watch a professional at work. 7.30pm • 1 hour 45 mins • £8/£6 John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (entrance via Arboretum Place) AGES 16+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

THE THREAT OF CREEPING CREATIONISM IN SCOTLAND’S SCHOOLS Creationism is fundamental to many religions, while evolution is fundamental to the understanding of science. Are these two ideas in conflict in Scotland’s schools, and what messages are children actually receiving in the classroom and science lab? Join Professor Paul Braterman in a discussion chaired by Clare Marsh to share your experience and views on the subject. 8pm • 1 hour • £7/£5 • Informatics Forum Organised by Humanist Society Scotland

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL EVENTS THURSDAY 21 APRIL HERITAGE SCIENCE IN ACTION

ZERO DEGREES OF EMPATHY

2pm • 1 hour • Free (ticket required, book through National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 from 1 March) National Museums Collections Centre, West Granton Road AGES 16+

Simon Baron-Cohen, autism and developmental psychopathology expert, examines how our brains deal with feelings of empathy. Is it an emotion we learn, or is it part of a genetic predisposition? And if we can measure empathy in degrees, is a lower reading on the ‘empathy spectrum’ always a negative thing?

THE DOCTOR AND THE MASTER

6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised by Penguin Books

See 14 April for full listing.

Find out how a pea-sized gland has the power to turn you into a giant or suck the water out of your blood. The pituitary gland is the ‘master gland’ in your body, controlling many body functions such as metabolism, growth and fertility. Professor Stephen Shalet and Dr Rob Murray explain what happens when the Master goes rogue and what the Doctor can do to save the day. 6pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum Organised the Society for Endocrinology

DIALOGUES: CHRIS WATSON Dialogues is Edinburgh’s experimental music festival, bringing performances by local, national and international musicians to venues across the city. We welcome Chris Watson, BAFTAwinning sound recordist and founder of the experimental music group, Cabaret Voltaire, to share some of his latest work. 8pm • Free (ticket required) • Inspace Organised by:

CAMERA OBSCURA AND WORLD OF ILLUSIONS BY NIGHT

LOOKING TOWARDS 2050: WHERE IS SCIENCE TAKING US?

See 12 April for full listing. 8pm • 1 hour 30 mins • £10/£8 Camera Obscura AGES 18+ Organised by Science Festival 2011 Guest Director, Richard Wiseman

THE WAY OF THE PANDA Mankind is fascinated by the giant panda. Despite its tiny population and notoriously reclusive nature, this unique species has become not only a worldwide brand for conservation but also an emblem for the political relationships of its native China. With the imminent arrival of pandas at Edinburgh Zoo, author Henry Nicholls explores the political significance and curious history of these rare and beautiful creatures.

Beyond the expectation that the world will be a warmer and more crowded place, scientific developments in the last 50 years have proved how difficult it is to predict how we will live, and what we will know, in the year 2050. Lord Rees, former president of the Royal Society, offers his thoughts on the scientific threats and prospects that may confront us and which current mysteries could be solved. 8pm • 1 hour • £10/£8 • Informatics Forum

SATURDAY 23 APRIL FIRE IN THE SKY: COSMIC THREATS TO EARTH The Astronomers Royal, Lord Rees and Professor John Brown, join Sheffield University’s Professor Hughes and other astronomers to discuss how events in the cosmos could threaten life on Earth. A series of ‘out of this world’ discussions on asteroids, comets, the sun and the stars... and even the possibility of alien life. Events from 10am-5pm • Talks last between 20 and 50 minutes • Free Edinburgh University Student Union

8pm • 1 hour • £8/£6 • Informatics Forum

FRIDAY 22 APRIL SLEEPOVER AT EDINBURGH ZOO See 9 April for full listing.

THE END OF THE WORLD CEILIDH

6.30pm-9am the following day • £80 Edinburgh Zoo

Celebrate the end of the 2011 Science Festival. Dance with the scientists beneath our giant planets to the sounds of live band The Occasionals and, weather permitting, come and observe Saturn from the telescope on our balcony bar.

AGES 18+

EDINBURGH ZOO FOR BREAKFAST See 15 April for full listing. 7.30am-10am • £20 • Edinburgh Zoo

AGES 14+

7.30pm-12midnight • £10/£8 Edinburgh University Student Union

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

AGES 18+

INFORMATION EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL Edinburgh International Science Festival, founded in 1989, is an educational charity that inspires people of all ages and backgrounds to discover the wonder of the world around them. We are best known for organising Edinburgh’s annual Science Festival – the world’s first celebration of science and technology, and still one of Europe’s largest. Of equal importance, however, is our schools touring programme, Generation Science, which brings science to life in Scottish classrooms throughout the year. Charity Number: SC003790 Registered Office: Suite 1, Mitchell House, 5 Mitchell Street, Edinburgh EH6 7BD YEAR ROUND STAFF Lindsay Coulton Development Coordinator (maternity leave) Debbie Crawford Development Coordinator (maternity cover) Joan Davidson Generation Science Manager Amy Elder Generation Science Production Manager Simon Gage Festival Director Pat Hymers Festival Administrator Helen Lawrie Development Manager Fiona Logue Business Director Andrew Owens Finance Manager Emma Pirie Marketing Manager Jen Wood Festival General Manager FESTIVAL STAFF Sarah Blackwell Box Office Manager Laura Brettle Events Development Alan Forgie Development Assistant Debbie Howard Project Manager, City Art Centre Victoria Jones Marketing Officer Peter Scott Festival Production Manager Zoë Squair Project Manager, Atomise and Diabetes Frances Sutton PR Manager Matthew Wright Events Development BOARD OF DIRECTORS David Milne (Chair) Ewan Aitken Cllr Gordon Buchan Cllr Ronald Cairns Michael Fourman Anne Glover Cllr Stephen Hawkins Brian McMaster

Stuart Monro Ian Ritchie Cllr Conor Snowden Ben Thomson Ian Wall Cllr Donald Wilson Heinz Wolff Philip Young

SCIENCE FESTIVAL ADVISORY GROUP Maggie Aderin Pocock Science Innovation Ltd Hermione Cockburn TV and radio presenter Brian Cox The University of Manchester Quentin Cooper BBC Radio 4 Jill Fullerton Smith BBC Jeremy Webb New Scientist Richard Wiseman The University of Hertfordshire

We would like to thank Generation Science Club members for their support of the Edinburgh International Science Festival’s schools touring programme. Generation Science Club is a network of individuals and companies dedicated to engaging the next generation in science and technology. Members of the club donate funds to help ensure our school shows and workshops can be enjoyed by all pupils – wherever they are and whatever their financial background. With particular thanks to: CHAIR Philip Young HONORARY MEMBERS Baroness Susan Greenfield Prof Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Advisor for Scotland Prof Lord Robert Winston MEMBERS Dugdale Bradley Cairn Energy PLC Sue Calder Alex Callander, Baillie Gifford & Co Bryan Donaghey, Diageo Scotland Edina Trust Sandy Finlayson Geraldine Gammell John Hylands Nimar Charitable Trust Ian Ritchie

Mike Rutterford, Rutterford Ltd Barry & Helen Sealy, The BEST Trust SELEX Galileo David Sibbald, Sumerian Networks Ltd ProStrakan Group Scottish Qualifications Authority University of Edinburgh Ian Wall Wolfson Microelectronics

EDUCATION AMBASSADORS Prof Jack Jackson, Strathclyde University Heather Reid OBE Walter Whitelaw, Midlothian Council TRUSTS AND FOUNDATIONS We would like to thank the following trusts and foundations for generously supporting our activities: Carnegie Dunfermline Trust Equitable Charitable Trust Gannochy Trust MacRobert Trust Robertson Trust

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

GETTING HERE Many of our venues in around the city centre are easily accessible on foot or by public transport. Please consider the environment when planning your travel to and from our events. Public transport Public Transport information for the whole of Scotland is available 24 hours a day from www.travelinescotland.com and 0871 200 22 33.

EATING, DRINKING AND SHOPPING Most venues have on site café facilities offering hot and cold refreshments. Some of our social events may also include refreshments in the ticket price (see listings for details). Souvenir shops and bookshops are also available at some venues.

By bus City centre bus information is available from www.lothianbuses.com and 0131 555 6363.

PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT Edinburgh International Science Festival is committed to minimising any negative impact we may have on our environment. Every year, our programme offers a range of events that deal with environmental issues and sustainability. Please recycle this brochure when you have finished with it and consider downloading future publications to conserve paper.

By train For train travel in Scotland and tickets, visit www.scotrail.co.uk. For National Rail Enquiries, see www.nationalrail.co.uk or call 08457 48 49 50.

EDINBURGH For information about Edinburgh, how to get around and where to stay, visit www.edinburgh-inspiringcaptial.com.

By car There are multi-storey car parks around the city centre and metered parking is also available. However, many of our venues are easily accessible on foot or by public transport.

EXPLORE EDINBURGH Edinburgh International Science Festival is part of Explore Edinburgh, a partnership between science-based visitor attractions in and around Edinburgh. Visit www.explore-edinburgh.com.

Tourist information Further information on Edinburgh and the surrounding area, along with accommodation listings and online booking, is available at www.visitscotland.com.

EDINBURGH’S FESTIVALS

Edinburgh is the world’s Festival City with events all year. Visit www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk for insider information, listings, competitions and news from all Edinburgh’s Festivals. Bank of Scotland Imaginate Festival

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

Edinburgh International Book Festival

22-31 July 2011 www.edinburghjazzfestival.com

13-29 August 2011 www.edbookfest.co.uk

Edinburgh Art Festival

Edinburgh Mela

4 August-4 September 2011 www.edinburghartfestival.com

2-4 September 2011 www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Scottish International Storytelling Festival

5-29 August 2011 www.edfringe.com

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

9-15 May 2011 www.imaginate.org.uk

5-27 August 2011 www.edintattoo.co.uk

Edinburgh International Film Festival

Edinburgh International Festival

15-26 June 2011 www.edfilmfest.org.uk

12 August-4 September 2011 www.eif.co.uk

21-30 October 2011 www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30 December 2011-2 January 2012 www.edinburghshogmanay.com

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322

INDEX OF SPEAKERS Abrahams, Marc, p36 Akhavan, Prof Jackie, p39 Arnold, Nick, p12 Baggini, Julian, p35 Ball, Prof Keith, p33 Baron-Cohen, Simon, p40 Brake, Mark, p12, p31 Braterman, Prof Paul, p39 Brown, Dr Abbe, p32 Brown, Prof John, p40 Bruce, Adam, p32 Butterworth, Prof Jon, p28 Campbell, Murray, p30 Casey, Prof John, p38 Chase, Jon, p12, p31 Close, Prof Frank, p36 Cochrane, Marie Louise, p13 Collicutt, Paul, p12 Cooper, Prof Chris, p30 Cowell, Vicky, p29 Davies, Frances, p27 Davies, Prof Jamie, p38 Dawkins, Richard, p34 de Saulles, Tony, p12 Deary, Prof Ian, p27 Dinesh, Danush, p32 Djerassi, Prof Carl, p26, p30, p31 Dolan, Prof Ray, p30 Dorion, Christiane, p12 Dunbar, Dr Bonnie, p28 Dunbar, Robin, p39 Dutton, Kevin, p29 Elfick, Dr Alistair, p36 Evans, Dr Lyn, p28 Fairweather, Ron, p13 Fraser, Lilias, p33 Ghrist, Robert, p31 Giudice, Gian, p29 Grady, Sara, p12 Harvey, Patrick MSP, p32 Hastie, Prof Nicholas, p31 Henley, Elaine, p36 Hepburn, Frank, p33 Hill, Prof Robert, p31 Hilton, Dr Shona, p34 Holloway, Richard, p31 Hughes, Dr Alun, p37 Hughes, Prof, p40 Hume, Prof David, p31 Ince, Robin, p28, p36 Jamieson, Dr Alan, p37 Jay, Mike, p35 Kumar, Manjit, p28 Kurtz, Prof Don, p32 Labedzka, Dr Maria, p39

Lamont, Dr Peter, p34 Lewney, Dr Mark, p35 Lincoln, Mike, p34 Maclean, Charles, p33 Macleod, Ken, p33 Manning, Aubrey, p31 Marsh, Clare, p39 McNicol, Fergus, p13 Menzies, Mara, p13 Monro, Prof Stuart, p38 Morgan, Jak, p39 Murphy, Glenn, p12 Murray, Dr Rob, p40 Newell, Alan, p39 Nicholls, Henry, p40 Nield, Ted, p37 Parkin, Sara, p31 Paterson, Prof Lindsay, p27 Paxton, Dr Charles, p27 Pinsent, Rev Dr Andrew, p34 Poskitt, Kjarten, p12 Pullinger, David, p38 Ramamoorthy, Dr Subramanian, p28 Rees, Lord, p40 Ronson, Jon, p36 Sample, Ian, p29 Sampson, Jeremy, p23 Sanders, Emma, p29 Sandoe, Peter, p33 Schafer, Prof Burkhard, p33 Schofield, Dr Andy, p37 Sella, Dr Andrea, p32 Serbedzija, Prof Nikola, p38 Shalet, Prof Stephen, p40 Sheppard, Dr David, p29 Sibley, Brian, p36 Singh, Simon, p35 Skeldon, Dr Ken, p37 Sproxton, David, p36 Stannard, Russell, p27 Steel, Alan, p13 Stewart, Iain, p35 Thomas, Dr Miles, p32 Tillotson, Dr Jenny, p38 Townsend, Nigel, p30 Valentine, Iain, p34 Vijayakumar, Prof Sethu, p28 Wardlaw, Prof Joanna, p33 Warwick, Prof Kevin, p38 Watson, Chris, p40 Watt, Dr Caroline, p34 Watt, Simon, p29, p30 Whitelaw, Bruce, p33 Winston, Prof Lord Robert, p12, p30 Wiseman, Prof Richard, p32, p34, p36

View day-by-day listings at: www.sciencefestival.co.uk

SCIENCE FESTIVAL VENUES Parking Waverley Train Station

Edinburgh Bus Station

ST ANDREW SQUARE

JOHN HOPE GATEWAY – ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH

21 1

OUR DYNAMIC EARTH

17 29 9

The

3 5 34

Moun d

6 30

2 35 4

37 12

16 6 20

14 4 15

CITY ART CENTRE

13 NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND

INFORMATICS – INSPACE

28 1 18 8

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9 10

ADAM HOUSE Chambers Street EH1 1HR ASSEMBLY HALL Mound Place EH1 2LX BLACKNESS CASTLE Blackness, Linlithgow EH49 7NH CAMERA OBSCURA 549 Castlehill, EH1 2ND CITY ART CENTRE 2 Market Street EH1 1DE CITY CHAMBERS 253 High Street EH1 1YJ DI ROLLO GALLERY 18a Dundas Street EH3 6HZ EDINBURGH BUTTERFLY AND INSECT WORLD Dobbies Garden World EH18 1AZ EDINBURGH PRINTMAKERS 23 Union Street EH1 3LR EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION Teviot EH8 9AJ

11 12 13 14

17 18 19 20

EDINBURGH ZOO 1 134 Corstorphine Road EH12 6TS FILMHOUSE 8 88 Lothian Road EH3 9BZ GEORGE SQUARE THEATRE 30 George Square EH8 9L J INFORMATICS University of Edinburgh 10 Crichton Street EH8 9AB INSPACE University of Edinburgh 10 Crichton Street EH8 9AB INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES 1 15 South College Street EH8 9AA THE JAM HOUSE 5 Queen Street EH2 1JE MERCHISTON CASTLE SCHOOL 294 Colinton Road EH13 0PU THE MOUND City Centre EH2 NATIONAL E-SCIENCE CENTRE 15 South College Street EH8 9AA

21 22

24 25 26 27

28 29 30

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FLIGHT East Lothian EH39 5LF NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND Chambers Street EH1 1JF NATIONAL MUSEUMS COLLECTION CENTRE 242 West Granton Road EH5 1JA OUR DYNAMIC EARTH 112 Holyrood Road EH8 8AS PLEASANCE 60 Pleasance EH8 9TJ PRINCES MALL 3 Waverley Bridge EH1 1BQ ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH 20a Inverleith Row EH3 5LR THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY Blackford Hill EH9 3HJ ST ANDREW SQUARE City Centre EH2 2BD ST GILES’ CATHEDRAL High Street EH1 1KE

31 32 33

36 37 38

ST MARY’S CATHEDRAL 23 Palmerston Place EH12 5AW SCOTTISH POETRY LIBRARY 5 Crichton’s Close EH8 8DT SCOTTISH SEABIRD CENTRE The Harbour, North Berwick EH39 4SS THE SCOTTISH STORYTELLING CENTRE 43-45 High Street EH1 1SR SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE 354 Castlehill EH1 2NE STEVENSON COLLEGE Bankhead Avenue EH11 4DE TRAVERSE THEATRE 10 Cambridge Street EH1 2AD USHER HALL Lothian Road EH1 2EA

Online booking: www.sciencefestival.co.uk Booking hotline: 0131 553 0322