This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Science Seekers begin searching
05/04/2002
A new exhibition demonstrating how science makes a difference to all our lives was launched today as a curtain raiser to the 2002 Edinburgh International Science Festival.
The hands-on event covers research on topics as diverse as vampire worms, tropical plants, new vaccines, protecting Scotland's environment, organic farming and improving our health.
The exhibition was opened at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh by the Executive's 'virtual presenter' Seonaid with assistance from the Director of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, Simon Gage, Professor Stephen Blackmore from the Royal Botanic Garden, and Professor Quintin McKellar from the Moredun Research Institute.
It is designed to appeal to an audience of 5 to 14-year-olds, although it is bound to appeal to everyone.
Children from the Science Club of Wardie Primary School in Edinburgh were then invited to 'test drive' the exhibits.
The exhibition starts with a talking tunnel leading to an interactive talking 'Know Worm' that directs visitors to hands-on displays on different themes.
The children enjoyed the many hands-on elements of the exhibition.
The Science Seekers web site www.scienceseekers.org.uk gives more informaion on the science behind the exhibition.
All the research featured in the exhibition is supported by the Scottish Executive Environment and Rural Affairs Department (SEERAD) which supports research at the Scottish Agricultural and Biological Research Institutes (Hannah Research Institute, Macaulay Institute, Moredun
Research Institute, Rowett Research Institute and Scottish Crop Research Institute including Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland), the Scottish Agricultural College, and Royal Botanic Garden.
Science Seekers will be touring Scotland over 2002 and 2003 at the following venues:
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh - April and May 2002
- Big Idea, Irvine - June to October 2002
- Sensation, Dundee - November 2002 to January 2003
- Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh - February and March 2003
- Stratosphere, Aberdeen - April and May 2003