FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 9.30 10.00 10.30 11.00 11.30 12.00 12.30 13.00 13.30 14.00

New platform transforms From bench The search for black gold P4 North Sea’s future P4 Dissections uncut P5 Omega3 How the body shapes the mind P4 The x-change P5 New medicines from nature P4 Natural gas Genes and health P5 Ancient insects P5

GLANCE Making sense P4 TUESDAY 4 TUESDAY Meet the expert training P21

Food addiction: Fact or fiction P7 The limit of oil and gas AT A Isambard Kingdom Your life story in our hands P8 The x-change Brunel Award Lecture P8 50 Our fossil-fuelled future P7 Fishy figures Forensic chemistry P7 Scotland’s mapping Parasites and me P8 May the force be with Science heritage Simulation training in oil and gas industry P36 Simulation training in oil and gas Discover more P36 WELCOME 5 WEDNESDAY TO THE Dark sky and deep space P21

BRITISHI’d go outdoorsSCIENCE if I could P10 Joseph Lister The next war will be fought over The holy grail of dieting P11 Award Lecture P11 In the blink of an eye P11 Microbes in lenses P10 Uncovering the secrets of FESTIVALCan solar energy 2012Heat beneath our feet P10 All at save the world P10 The x-change P5 Developing science LeveragingContents the full The British Science Festivaltalent P11 visits a different city each power of innovation P10 THURSDAY 6 THURSDAY 3 Famous faces year. This year we are delighted to be visiting Trust and the digital economy P21 4 – 20 Talks and Aberdeen, aMyth vibrant busters: modern What's in your city, gut? withP14 striking granite Open ForumawardP14 lectures Cannabis: Weeding out highs Life down below P13 architecture and a rich and inspiring history, asCharles well Lyell as Helping21 – the 23 developingWorkshops world P14 Award Lecture P14 Rig lives P13 Material The psychology of consciousness P14 innovative industry. Wish24 you– 28 wereEvening here? P14events The Piper Alpha The x-change P5 Offshore emergencies P13 29 – 31 Family events

FRIDAY 7 FRIDAY disaster P13 From cradle The last time the FestivalAberdeen was in harbourAberdeen P37 was 1963, so a lot in the city has changed since then! The FestivalRenewable has grown energy: into Past, apresent real and future in North-East32 – 35 ScotlandFamilyP37 events(starts at 8.45am) celebration of science, engineering and technology and its at the beach impact on our lives.Deadly divisions P16 Charles Darwin Award Feeding the 9 billion P17 It wasn't me, it was my neurons P16 Lecture P17 Animal36 mind,– 38 humanTrips and mind toursP17 Forgotten knowledge P17 The electric body P17 The theme of this year’s Festival is ‘Energising minds’The and x-change we P5 How the Saviour siblings vs spit P16 39 – 40 Aberdeenshire certainly hope to bring some energy and fun to your minds stripes P18 CSI: Fact or fiction P16 and beyond and your lives as we explore a range of topical issues, The British Astronomical weekend event P16 discover the very latestSense in walking new P37research and have some fun 41 – 44 Drop-in activities with the family at Techfest, Aberdeen’sBlood, annualbrains babies science and oil festival.P37 Discover more P36 53 Booking In the followingHow to pages solve crimes you with will mathematics find detailsP22 of a range of events Why don’t we eat as Knotless knots P22 we intend to P22 SATURDAY 8 SATURDAY and activities, for all ages and interests.Visualising the invisible P22 We look forward to seeing you. Multi-track Mixing P22 Citizen science P30 Knotless Poking the brain P30 Bubbles and balloons P30 Audience Level: Lord Kelvin Looking for Leviathans P20 Café Cosmos P19 Café Cosmos4 – AdultsP19 with some 1 – Families Award Lecture P19 Who you think you are? P19 The science knowledge The northern past P19 Taxing people for 2 – Everyone George Supercomputersof the topic unhealthy behaviours P19 3 – All adults 5in– scienceProfessionalsP19 Cromarty lighthouse field station tour P38 (starts at 8am) Rising tide P23 Finding Aberdeen: The historical

SUNDAY 9 SUNDAY The war within us P23 Izzy’s incredi- Folding The weird world of really Folding #bsf2012 /BritishScienceFestivalble work- @BritishSciFest really long molecules P31

9.30 10.00 10.30 11.00 11.30 12.00 12.30 13.00 13.30 14.00 2 FAMOUS Keep your eyes peeled for a whole host of celebrated FACES scientists and leading thinkers.

PAUL JOHN IAIN NURSE KREBS STEWART

TUES 4 SEP, 18.00 – 19.00 THURS 6 SEP, 17.00 – 18.00 SAT 8 SEP, 18.00 – 19.00 P24 P26 P28 GREAT IDEAS OF BIOLOGY DOING THE RIGHT THING THE STORY OF THE CONTINENTS

SUSAN BRIAN RICHARD GREENFIELD COX WISEMAN

WED 5 SEP, 18.00 – 19.00 THURS 6 SEP, 18.15 – 19.15 SAT 8 SEP, 20.00 – 21.00 P25 P26 P28 THE 21ST CENTURY MIND THE QUANTUM UNIVERSE SWEET DREAMS

MAGGIE BILL GEORGE ADERIN- BRYSON MCGAVIN POCOCK

WED 5 SEP, 19.00 – 21.00 FRI 7 SEP, 20.00 – 21.00 SUN 9 SEP, 14.00 – 15.00 P25 P27 P20 ARE WE ALONE AND AN AUDIENCE WITH BBC SCOTLAND PRESENTS WHEN WILL WE KNOW? BILL BRYSON SCIENCE...WITH GEORGE MCGAVIN

We advise that you pre-book your tickets, even where events are free. Visit the website to book www.britishsciencefestival.org

Susan Greenfield photo from the series First Women by Anita Corbin 3 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

New frontiers in the search for black gold New medicines from nature Genes and health: Is a little knowledge a good or dangerous thing? TUES 4 SEP NEW TECHNOLOGIES DAY TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 - 11.30 HOW THE BODY SHAPES THE MIND MAKING SENSE: TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 – 11.00 SPECKLED COMPUTING NEW PLATFORM TRANSFORMS Embodiment is a new framework that has changed our recent research in Imagine a world in which tiny devices NORTH SEA’S FUTURE psychology and neuroscience. Hear (specks) on your person can sense Stefano Cappa on how the brain Find out how business economics conditions such as abnormal breathing, embodies the mind; Gabriella Vigliocco combined with innovative engineering and share this information wirelessly with and Gun Semin on how abstract delivered the world's largest self-installing doctors and carers who can offer timely thoughts and social norms are bodily platform, the F3-FA. Join hosts Centrica help and support. Join D K Arvind to Energy, with guest speakers from SPT based; and Arthur Glenberg on how explore innovations in speckled Offshore, IV Oil and Gas and Heerema to embodiment can guide education computing which are making this hear how, from initial design concept to programmes. possible. platform installation, we can now Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 2, successfully exploit gas fields which were Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 once thought uneconomic. University of Aberdeen 3 Organised by: University College London Organised by: University of Aberdeen, Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE School of Engineering Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 Supported by: University of Edinburgh, Organised by: Centrica Energy, SPT School of Informatics Offshore, Heerema and I-V Oil and Gas TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 - 14.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE NEW MEDICINES FROM NATURE We have known about natural remedies TUES 4 SEP, 11.15 - 12.15 derived from plants and animals for a long time, even if the reasons for their THE HALSTEAD LECTURE: success were unknown. Plants, fungi and NEW FRONTIERS IN THE marine organisms continue to provide a SEARCH FOR BLACK GOLD rich harvest of chemicals with important medicinal properties. In this event, There are two key challenges facing the speakers describe how nature can oil industry today. Firstly, most of the inspire the isolation and identification of Earth’s ‘easy’ hydrocarbons have already new molecules used to fight disease. been found and secondly, the imminent loss of experienced explorationists retiring. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Learn about the history of oil exploration Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 and some of the key current and future Organised by: Chemistry Section, exploration techniques. British Science Association Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Supported by: Royal Society of Chemistry Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE Organised by: Geology Section, British Science Association and Geologists’ Association Simon Watt: Dissections uncut AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE

4 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

TUES 4 SEP

TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 TUES 4 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 TUES 4 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 GENES AND HEALTH: IS A DISSECTIONS UNCUT OMEGA 3: MAKING THE HEALTHY CHOICE LITTLE KNOWLEDGE A GOOD OR On Channel 4’s Inside Nature’s Giants, Omega 3s are part of a balanced diet, DANGEROUS THING? scientists went under the skin of some but where should we be getting them massive animals to figure out what made from? Fish stocks are dwindling but we The Generation Scotland project aims to are told to eat more fish! Find out how to identify how much our genes contribute them tick. Join presenter Simon Watt as we look at some of the fascinating get the right balance between health to the development of common and sustainability. diseases. But what are the social and science that didn’t make the final cut. ethical implications? Share your views Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 1, Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 2, about the benefits and concerns University of Aberdeen 3 University of Aberdeen 3 surrounding advances in genetics Organised by: University of Stirling, Institute Organised by: Simon Watt knowledge and health, question experts, of Aquaculture, Essential Health Clinic, and find out the latest results from AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Glasgow and University of Southampton Generation Scotland. Supported by: University of Stirling Venue: Linklater Rooms, University AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE of Aberdeen 5 TUES 4 - FRI 7 SEP, 13.30 - 14.45 Organised by: University of Aberdeen, AND SAT 8 SEP, 12.00 - 13.00 ESRC Centre for Economic and Social THE X-CHANGE Aspects of Genomics and Wales TUES 4 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 Gene Park Part talk show, part science cabaret, THE NATURAL GAS REVOLUTION presented by Richard Hollingham. The AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE x-change brings together the best of the Between now and 2050, our world is Fest. Relax, grab a drink and discuss headed towards a ‘zone of uncertainty’, science with famous names and special a period of significant stress between invited guests from the day’s events and energy supply and demand. While we expect gas to play a larger role in TUES 4 SEP, 12.00 - 13.00 forthcoming attractions. If you can’t make it you can always listen to the meeting the world’s future energy needs, ANCIENT INSECTS IN TECHNICOLOUR: podcast. it’s not entirely clear how. How are major international projects like Shell’s Pearl GTL SQUASHING BUGS TO UNDERSTAND Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, plant and Prelude floating liquid natural University of Aberdeen FOSSIL COLOURS gas terminal helping to meet the growing Insects today display a dazzling spectrum Organised by: British Science Association demand for energy? of colours and visual effects, but did you AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Venue: King’s Quad, Lecture Theatre 8, know that fossil insects do the same? King’s College, University of Aberdeen 7 Join Maria McNamara to find out how SEE PAGE NINE FOR MORE INFORMATION palaeontologists are using bizarre new Organised by: Shell experiments to work out what the original AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE colours of insects were millions of years ago and about the tiny microscopic TUES 4 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 clues that show how fossil insects TUES 4 SEP, 14.30 - 16.00 communicated with other ancient FROM THE LAB BENCH TO creatures. GLOBAL MARKETS COWS AND CARS Venue: King’s College Conference Join Eleanor Mitchell, Director of There continues to be a healthy debate Centre, Auditorium, University Commercialisation at Scottish Enterprise, around how wheat ethanol is produced, of Aberdeen 6 to hear how science is at the core with a particular focus on food versus fuel. What impact do biofuels have on Organised by: Yale University and of developing new products and services. the UK food supply? Do we really have University College Dublin See how Scottish Enterprise supports ambitious entrepreneurs to grow to make the stark choice between food AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE companies which will take those products or fuel? Enjoy a thought-provoking film as to global markets and deliver significant TV celeb Austin Healey goes in search of economic impact in Scotland. the truth; followed by a Q and A session with Olly Macé from BP Biofuels. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 Venue: Belmont Cinema, Belmont Street, AB10 1JS 6 Organised by: Scottish Enterprise Organised by: BP AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE TO BOOK CALL 0871 9025721

5 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

TUES 4 SEP

TUES 4 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 TUES 4 SEP, 16.00 - 17.30 A NOAH’S ARK FOR THE 21ST ENERGISING MINDS THROUGH CENTURY: THE FIGHT TO CONSERVE THINKING SKILLS IN SCIENCE AGRICULTURAL BIODIVERSITY EDUCATION Modern farming cultivates an ever- John Crossland, former science adviser shrinking range of crop and livestock in North Yorkshire, has worked with a varieties. The genetic diversity in our group of science advanced skills agriculture is being eroded, just when we teachers from primary and secondary need it most. Climate change is schools to research the relevance to increasing the exposure of farmland to education of recent neuroscience Sperm warfare drought and floods and raising the threat research. Find out the outcome from this from pests and diseases. What steps are small-scale project to improve teaching being taken to conserve agricultural in the classroom and see some dynamic biodiversity? models for learning. Don’t miss our evening Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture events from page 24 2, University of Aberdeen 3 Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 Organised by: Agriculture and Food Organised by: Education Section, featuring lots more Section, British Science Association British Science Association talks and debates AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE

TUES 4 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 TUES 4 SEP, 16.30 - 17.30 THE FUTURE OF OUR POLAR REGIONS: SPERM WARFARE WHAT MUST WE DO AND HOW CAN So you’ve found a healthy, fertile mate, SCIENCE HELP? you’ve fought off your rivals and you’ve convinced them that you are what they Join leading UK polar scientists in an were looking for. Sorted! But the interactive debate about whether reproductive race is far from over, my future research should be directed friend. We have entered the realms of towards the north (the Arctic) or the sperm warfare. Come and learn about south (the Antarctic). Help shape the devious tricks used by cells, organs opinion on priorities by asking questions and bodies to win the race to fertilisation. and voting on the major issues raised. Visit our exhibition of polar fieldwork Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre clothing, science equipment and field 1, University of Aberdeen 3 video diaries. Organised by: Simon Watt Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 @BritishSciFest Organised by: University of Aberdeen Cryosphere and Climate Change Group, in association with UK Polar Network /BritishScienceFestival AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

Booking Line: Audience Level: 08456 807 207 4 – Adults with some 1 – Families knowledge or visit 2 – Everyone of the topic www.britishsciencefestival.org 3 – All adults 5 – Professionals You can book in person at Aberdeen Box Office, Music Hall.

6 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

WED 5 SEP FOSSIL FUELS DAY

WED 5 SEP, 10.00 – 12.00 WED 5 SEP, 13.00 – 15.00 WED 5 SEP, 18.00 – 20.00 OUR FOSSIL-FUELLED FUTURE THE LIMITS OF OIL AND GAS ENERGY: PAST AND FUTURE Discover why the UK uses such a range Who cares about fossils? What role do Oil and gas in the 21st century is they have to play in everyday life? And of fuels and resources, and debate how moving into ever more challenging energy should be supplied in the future. what do palaeontologists do? Find out environments; geographical, technical How has demand radically changed the answers to these questions and more and social. Join us to explore some over the past few centuries? What are as we investigate the past, present and of the issues. future of fossils and fossil fuels. Join Liam our current and future challenges? Herringshaw and experts from a variety Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Join expert presenters Nick Pidgeon, of fields as they reveal the extraordinary Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 Brian Drysdale, Lorraine Whitmarsh, array of techniques being used to Organised by: University of Aberdeen Karen Parkhill and Leucha Veneer to understand how ancient lives affect find out more. modern ones, and show why fossils really AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE do matter. Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Organised by: Cardiff University Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 and Manchester University Organised by: Palaeontological AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

WED 5 SEP, 10.00 – 15.30 WED 5 SEP, 10.00 – 12.00 WED 5 SEP, 10.00 – 12.00 SCIENCE AND HERITAGE IN SCOTLAND FORENSIC CHEMISTRY FOOD ADDICTION: What is the role of science in AND AIR SECURITY FACT OR FICTION? understanding and preserving the past? Join our three expert speakers Eva Krupp, There are many complex factors which Our national heritage science output is Johannes Laube and Roy Harrison as lead to people being overweight or vital and involves close and productive they explore how modern forensic obese, but the basic question is why do work between heritage institutions, chemistry is being applied to issues of air some people eat too much? Are they specialist university research groups, security. What is the impact of airborne addicted to food? Join our international science, archaeology, museums and particulate matter on public health, and panel of psychiatrists and scientists to conservators. Come and explore using the health consequences of releasing explore whether eating food can be so science to understand the past, the new chemical compounds into the rewarding that it leads to a state of science of historic structures and science atmosphere? addiction similar to that seen with alcohol and the museum. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture and drugs. Venue: King's Quad, Lecture Theatre 7, Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 1, King's College, University of Aberdeen 7 Organised by: Chemistry Section, University of Aberdeen 3 Organised by: Historic Scotland British Science Association Organised by: Rowett Institute of Nutrition Supported by: The Scottish Government Supported by: Royal Society of Chemistry and Health, University of Aberdeen and University of Essen, Germany AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 £10.00 (STUDENTS £7.00) AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE INCLUDES LUNCH AND REFRESHMENTS AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

7 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

WED 5 SEP

WED 5 SEP, 10.00 – 12.00 WED 5 SEP, 12.00 – 13.00 WED 5 SEP, 13.00 – 15.00 PARASITES AND ME ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL SCOTLAND’S MAPPING Join scientists from Glasgow’s world- AWARD LECTURE: THE ETHICS Maps fascinate, illustrate - and deceive - renowned parasite research centre for a AND TECHNOLOGY OF SEEING and these talks tell you why and how. series of expert talks featuring cunning THROUGH CLOTHES Hear from experts in the history and parasites that invade our bodies and contemporary development of mapping cause fatal infections. The talks will show This exploration of vision will tell you what and in new mapping technologies. the deadly mission of parasites and other animals see that we can’t. What is Scotland revealed in maps and charts; highlight the role that Scottish researchers the truth and what is the hype with battle plans; Aberdeen’s urban history as are playing in trying to control parasitic terahertz and x-ray vision? How well can a mapped history and talking maps. Join diseases. machines really see through clothes? us for talks that capture the delight, Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 2, What sort of images do they take and richness - and dangers - of mapping. how are they used? What does this University of Aberdeen 3 Venue: Linklater Rooms, University mean for society? Organised by: Wellcome Trust Centre of Aberdeen 5 for Molecular Parasitology Awarded to Tim Drysdale by the British Organised by: Geography Section, Science Association Supported by: Wellcome Trust British Science Association, Royal Venue: King’s College Conference Geographical Society and National AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Centre, Auditorium, University Library of Scotland of Aberdeen 6 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE WED 5 SEP, 10.00 – 12.00

YOUR LIFE STORY IN OUR HANDS WED 5 SEP, 13.00 – 15.00 WED 5 SEP, 13.00 – 15.00 From conception to death, each FISHY FIGURES encounter with healthcare generates MAY THE FORCE BE WITH US: information. Each piece of information is WHAT DOES THE EARTH’S How do statistical methods improve our held to manage your care but, in the understanding of the sea and how we background, it plays a crucial role through MAGNETIC FIELD DO FOR US? use it? How do these methods improve research in improving our understanding of While they may seem like fixed points, the our knowledge of the numbers of whales, health and disease. Scotland’s Chief North and South poles are constantly protecting humans from shellfish toxins, Scientist, Andrew Morris, plus experts, invite ‘wandering’. Join Kathy Whaler to explore and the interaction between cod and you to explore ethical dilemmas and how the Earth’s magnetic field is seals? Find out how statistics are used to challenge how your data are kept safe. generated. Jenny Tait explains how the understand the world around us. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture magnetic field has helped uncover some Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 of the most fundamental principles of Earth Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 science. Finally, Ciaran Beggan considers Organised by: University of Aberdeen Organised by: RSS Highland Local Group, when the next reversal could be, and what University of St. Andrews, Biomathematics AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE its effects might be on the Earth. and Statistics Scotland, Food Standards Venue: Meston Building Lecture Theatre 1, Agency and Marine Science Scotland University of Aberdeen 3 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Booking Line: Organised by: The Geological Society of London 08456 807 207 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE WED 5 SEP, 15.30 - 16.30 or visit A WORLD FIRST FOR OFFSHORE www.britishsciencefestival.org PLATFORM POWER SUPPLY You can book in person at Aberdeen Box Find out how BP is using safe, reliable Office, Music Hall. and economical power transmission technology to help deliver energy to the Audience Level: world whilst reducing carbon emissions 4 – Adults with some and optimising current resources. 1 – Families Venue: King’s Quad, Lecture Theatre 8, knowledge King’s College, University of Aberdeen 7 2 – Everyone of the topic Organised by: BP 3 – All adults 5 – Professionals AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE

8 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

WED 5 SEP

WED 5 SEP, 15.30 – 16.30 WED 5 SEP, 15.30 – 17.30 FROM QUANTUM GRAVITY IN THE SPACE WEATHER: A NEW EARLY UNIVERSE TO QUANTUM HAZARD FOR A MODERN WORLD ENGINEERING DEEP SUBSEA With the Sun reaching it’s 11 year peak of activity, come along and discuss what’s General relativity and quantum happening to the Sun, what effects this mechanics are the two pillars of modern has in space and what can we expect to physics. They were in joint action at the happen on Earth. Will we be able to see spectacular start of the Universe. This talk the Northern Lights more clearly or will the explores how today’s new quantum lights go out? technology of gravity sensing is being applied to increase our horizons and Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 1, make new discoveries deep subsea. University of Aberdeen 3 Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Organised by: British Geological Survey and Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 Lancaster University, UCL & University of York Organised by: University of Aberdeen Supported by: Geology Section, British Science Association Supported by: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE

WED 5 SEP, 15.30 – 17.30 WED 5 SEP, 15.30 – 16.30 CONVERSATIONS WITH HUMANS THE SCOTTISH TEN AND NON-HUMANS The Scottish Ten is an ambitious five year Do humans, animals and plants belong to separate worlds - society and nature? In project using cutting-edge technology to many places, people do not see a clear- create exceptionally accurate digital cut distinction between them. Like humans, models of Scotland’s five UNESCO some non-humans respond to each other designated World Heritage Sites and five in sentient ways. Explore how anthropol- international ones, in order to better ogists are re-defining the world around us conserve and manage them. Come and and re-thinking our place in nature. see the stunning results we have so far and experience what it is like to be scanned. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 Venue: King's Quad, Lecture Theatre 7, King's College, University of Aberdeen. 7 Organised by: University of Aberdeen and Anthropology and Archaeology Section, Organised by: Historic Scotland British Science Association Supported by: The Scottish Government AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

WED 5 SEP, 19.00 – 21.00 PERFORMANCE SCIENCE IN OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC SPORT Join Scott Drawer, Head of Research and Innovation at UK Sport, to explore the approach, process and type of projects which have capitalised on British excellence in academia and industry to support performance; learn how these concepts apply and cross into numerous other industries and applications. Performance science in Olympic and Paralympic sport Venue: Seminar Room, Aberdeen Sports Village, AB24 5RU Organised by: Aberdeen Sports Village and University of Aberdeen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE

9 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

THURS 6 SEP Uncovering the secrets of the LHC

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY DAY THURS 6 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 I’D GO OUTDOORS IF I COULD, THURS 6 SEP, 10.00 - 11.00 THURS 6 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 WOULDN’T YOU? CAN SOLAR ENERGY SAVE LEVERAGING THE FULL POWER In celebration of the European Year for THE WORLD? OF INNOVATION Active Ageing and Age Scotland’s Ending Isolation campaign, this event will From making a whoosh bottle whistle to Global energy demand could double by launch a suite of design guides on how constructing a fully functioning solar cell, mid-century due to improving living streets and neighbourhoods can be this talk will be full of exciting standards and population growth. To made more user-friendly for people of all demonstrations. See the electricity that deliver the energy that is needed in the ages and abilities. The guides are based can be generated from a solar panel, most socially, environmentally and on research by Inclusive Design for and discover new solar cell technologies economically responsible way, we must Getting Outdoors (I’DGO), involving over and how they are being used. Finally, do things differently. Shell’s innovative 4,350 UK residents aged 65 plus. you can decide if solar energy can save approach also helps reduce our impact the world. on the environment and operate safely. Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 1, Join us to discover more. University of Aberdeen 3 Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Organised by: Inclusive Design for Getting Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 Venue: King’s Quad, Lecture Theatre 8, Outdoors, Universities of Edinburgh, Salford King’s College, University of Aberdeen 7 Organised by: The Solar Spark and Warwick and Age Scotland Organised by: Shell AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE

THURS 6 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 THURS 6 SEP, 11.15 - 12.45 THE HEAT BENEATH OUR FEET THURS 6 SEP, 14.00 - 16.30 MICROBES IN CONTACT LENSES SCOTLAND’S ENERGY FUTURE: Explore the living biosphere that can Did you know that there is the potential populate our contact lenses without us to heat your home using the Earth’s THE ROLE OF CHEMISTRY even knowing it. Look at Acanthamoeba thermal store? Our ground source heat The Scottish Government has identified which eats bacteria on the lens to survive event will explain how the type of wind and wave power as its preferred and then, once transferred to our eyes, it geology your house or business sits on options for future energy supply. We will can cause severe eye disease called can influence the systems required to focus on technologies which have a Acanthamoeba keratitis. Learn how to harness this store. We will also be chemistry component to them, including avoid Acanthamoeba infection and challenging you to cycle your way to solar hydrogen generation, photovoltaic how to diagnose disease. a hot bath! From 12.45 there will be an technology and fuel cells. Our panel of opportunity to visit the 3D visualisation experts will explore these technologies Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture suite. Spaces are limited. and debate their respective merits in a Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Scottish context. Organised by: University of the West of Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Scotland and University of Strathclyde 9 Organised by: British Geological Survey Theatre, University of Aberdeen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Organised by: Chemistry Section, Supported by: Geology Section, British Science Association British Science Association Supported by: Royal Society of Chemistry AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE

10 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

THURS 6 SEP

THURS 6 SEP, 10.00 – 12.00 THURS 6 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 THURS 6 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 THE HOLY GRAIL OF DIETING: CAN WE THE NEXT WAR WILL BE FOUGHT UNCOVERING THE SECRETS OF THE LHC EAT LESS AND NOT FEEL HUNGRY? OVER WATER The LHC, the world’s largest particle Join this interactive lecture involving The rapidly increasing world population accelerator, is designed to help answer scientists and food industry professionals and improved living standards in fundamental questions about the working on the EU grant SATIN, Satiety developing countries are placing sub-atomic world and the fundamental Innovation project. increased demand on an already scarce building blocks of our universe. Join resource. The possibility of a war over water physicists Jon Butterworth and Tara Shears Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture who will bring you tantalising titbits about Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 somewhere in the world seems increasingly likely. Join Chair Chris Spray and an the Higgs boson, how anti-matter works Organised by: Rowett Institute of Nutrition illustrious panel of speakers from academia, and perhaps even some tales of the and Health and University of Liverpool government and industry to debate the unexpected! AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE fight over water. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 1, Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 University of Aberdeen 3 Organised by: Physics and Astronomy THURS 6 SEP, 10.30 - 11.30 Section, British Science Association Organised by: Scottish Water, UNESCO DEVELOPING SCIENCE TALENT IN THE UK IHP-HELP Centre for Water Law, Policy AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Without human talent there can be no and Science and University of Dundee industry. Much has been said and Supported by: Scottish Water debated around STEM talent in the UK with AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE many arguing that UK scientific talent is in THURS 6 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 decline and there is a need to rethink our education strategy and do more to ALL AT SEA: A HISTORY OF encourage careers in STEM-related sectors. MARITIME COMMUNICATIONS What is the current state of STEM talent in Today’s mariners benefit from two-way the UK and why is science talent critical to voice and data communication from our economic success as a country? almost anywhere on the planet, thanks to Venue: King’s Quad, Lecture Theatre 8, the application of science and King’s College, University of Aberdeen 7 technology. Yet the basic physics behind Organised by: BP radio communication, electromagnetic wave theory, was formulated by James AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE Clerk Maxwell less than 150 years ago. The next war will be fought over water Join Tom Stevenson as he reviews the underlying developments in technology, THURS 6 SEP, 12.00 - 13.00 from semaphore to satellites. JOSEPH LISTER AWARD LECTURE: THURS 6 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 2, WHY DO SOME PEOPLE BECOME University of Aberdeen 3 IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE: PSYCHOPATHS? Organised by: Edinburgh & SE Scotland ATTENTION AND THE MIND Branch, British Science Association, Psychopaths have callous and Museum of Communication, Fife and unemotional personality traits, and often We don’t always see the world the way it is, what we actually perceive is the mind’s History of Science Section, British Science engage in criminal and antisocial activities. Association They lack empathy and emotion about interpretation of the senses. Join four their antisocial behaviour. We can see researchers to hear their latest work on AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE similar traits in children who are at risk of vision and attention, demonstrating the developing psychopathy. This talk reviews surprising consequences of the way the antisocial behaviour in children, in terms of mind fills in information about the world. genetics, brain structure and behavioural Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture development. Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 Awarded to Essi Viding by the British Organised by: Lancaster University and Science Association Psychology Section, British Science @BritishSciFest Association Venue: King’s College Conference Centre, Sponsored by: Experimental Auditorium, University of Aberdeen 6 Psychology Society /BritishScienceFestival Supported by: Robert Gordon University AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

11 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

THURS 6 SEP

THURS 6 SEP, 14.30 - 15.30 THURS 6 SEP, 15.30 - 16.30 MAKING THE MOST OF UK SCIENCE: TITANIC ENGINEERING AN ENERGY INDUSTRY VIEW Building Titanic and her sister ship Olympic was an incredible undertaking. But where Are we realising the true value and does history end and myth begin? Find commercial worth of the UK’s science out about techniques used to build and R&D leadership? What relationship Titanic from two people who recreated model works best for the UK and what them as part of Channel 4’s series We Built additional steps are required to ensure the Titanic and hear from a Titanic the UK maintains and develops its historian why some of the myths about competitive position? Our expert panel, Titanic are just that, myths. led by BP’s Bob Sorrell will identify how UK science can foster and encourage further Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture 2 collaboration and retain subsequent Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen value in the UK for society’s benefit. Organised by: Engineering Section, British Science Association Venue: King’s Quad, Lecture Theatre 8, King’s College, University of Aberdeen 7 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Organised by: BP and Shell

AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE THURS 6 SEP, 16.00 - 17.30 ACTIVE LEARNING IN SCIENCE There is a global movement to ensure that inquiry is at the heart of science THURS 6 SEP, 15.30 - 16.30 education with active pupils progressively BUBBLES, BEYOND THE BATH developing their understanding of the scientific aspects of the world, through Bubbles in liquids are a fascinating and investigation using processes employed important part of our everyday world but by scientists. Join us to consider how this we still associate them mostly with having approach prepares young people for baths. Join Helen Czerski for a tour their future and what it means for all around the amazing ways that bubbles concerned with science education. matter in oceanography, medicine and the natural world. You’ll never see a Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 bubble in the same way ever again! Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, Organised by: Education Section, University of Aberdeen British Science Association Organised by: Helen Czerski AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE

AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

Audience Level: 1 – Families 2 – Everyone Booking Line: 3 – All adults 08456 807 207 4 – Adults with some or visit knowledge of the topic www.britishsciencefestival.org You can book in person at Aberdeen 5 – Professionals Box Office, Music Hall.

12 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

FRI 7 SEP THE HUMAN STORY OF OIL FRI 7 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 FRI 7 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 RIG LIVES: INSIGHTS INTO THE LIVES CRUDE BRITTANIA FILM FRI 7 SEP, 10.00 - 11.00 OF PEOPLE IN THE OIL INDUSTRY AND DISCUSSION OFFSHORE EMERGENCIES: After watching part two of the series MEDICINE IN EXTREME CONDITIONS Oil platforms are scattered through the looking at North Sea oil and gas over the North Sea, toiling constantly to bring past 40 years we will examine the oil How do the emergency services cope energy to the UK. Meet anthropologist industry during the 1980s. Under Thatcher, with an offshore crisis? What is life like for and filmmaker Ed Owles, and watch his dozens of new platforms were built in the the medics who have to tend four short films about offshore life. Also North Sea, bringing in billions of pounds of emergencies on one of the many oil rigs meet artist Sue Jane Taylor, who will talk taxes to the Treasury. However, by the off the shore of Aberdeen? Mark Bloch about her artwork Black Gold, and discuss from Bond Offshore Helicopters discusses end of the decade, the global price of oil with rig workers whether art and film collapsed and the industry was hit by a the work of its paramedics, the portray the reality of rig lives. challenges they face and the drama of series of tragedies. saving lives in extreme conditions. Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 Theatre, University of Aberden 9 Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Organised by: Anthropology and Organised by: Archaeology and Theatre, University of Aberden 9 Archaeology Section, British Science Anthropology Section, British Science Organised by: Medical Sciences Section, Association Association and the Royal British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Anthropological Institute AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE

FRI 7 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 FRI 7 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 FRI 7 SEP, 11.00 - 12.00 FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE: THE PIPER ALPHA DISASTER: EFFECTS OF OIL DEVELOPMENT LIFE DOWN BELOW: THE SEARCH LESSONS LEARNED OR FORGOTTEN ON INDIGENOUS PEOPLE FOR A DEEP BIOSPHERE ON EARTH AND BEYOND Throughout history, human experience We often take oil and its by-products for has been painfully punctuated by major granted. But what is the history of oil Much simple life on Earth lives in the adversities, military, natural and ‘man- exploitation around the world and how subsurface. Indeed, some scientists made’. The crucial question is whether has it impacted on indigenous believe that the majority of life is below we learn from the extensive suffering of communities? What environmental and ground. In a series of talks, find out about victims or whether it has been in vain. The social legacies have been left by the oil investigations of the deep biosphere Piper Alpha oil platform disaster was an industry? Join us to explore this cradle to today, and in the geological record. extraordinary event in the annals of ‘man- grave story about the oil industry and the How is this reshaping our thoughts on made’ disasters. Join David Alexander to people who live alongside it. the limits of life on Earth, and elsewhere in the Universe? explore his own personal experience of Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture this tragedy, what lessons have been Theatre, University of Aberden 9 Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture learned and which have been forgotten. Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen. Lab demo Organised by: University of Aberdeen and in Meston Building Visualisation suite 2 Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Anthropology and Archaeology Section, Organised by: University of Aberdeen Theatre, University of Aberden 9 British Science Association Supported by: Astrobiology Society Organised by: British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE of Britain AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

13 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

FRI 7 SEP

FRI 7 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 FRI 7 SEP, 12.00 - 13.00 FRI 7 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 MYTH BUSTERS: WHAT’S UP CHARLES LYELL AWARD LECTURE: HELPING THE DEVELOPING WORLD TO WITH YOUR GUT? WHAT DO DWARF ELEPHANTS HAVE HELP ITSELF THROUGH SCIENCE Microorganisms play an important role in TO DO WITH CLIMATE CHANGE? Many problems faced by the developing maintaining a healthy gastrointestinal world, from communicable diseases to system, but in certain circumstances can If you are thinking about climate change, food security, can only be effectively also cause illness and disease. Diseases it’s unlikely you’re also thinking about tackled with the help of science and involving microorganisms include gastric dwarf elephants. Tiny elephants once technology. This requires building a cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and lived on islands all over the world, evolving capacity in these countries to develop also colorectal cancer. Hear talks by again and again at many different times the relevant science, as well as the experts to give you an overview before in the last million years. Could the climate technology required to put it to use. we open it up to your questions. changes of the past be an important Explore the types of partnership that factor in their evolution and extinction Venue: Meston Building, Lecture work and how scientists (and students) and help us understand the impact of can get involved. Theatre 1, University of Aberdeen 3 future climate change? Organised by: University of Aberdeen Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre 1, Awarded to Victoria Herridge by the University of Aberdeen 3 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE British Science Association Organised by: General Section, British Venue: King’s College Conference Science Association and SciDev.Net Centre, Auditorium, University (Science and Development Network) of Aberdeen 6 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE FRI 7 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 Supported by: Senergy WHO ARE YOU? THE PSYCHOLOGY AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE OF CONSCIOUSNESS In everyday language we use ‘conscious’ FRI 7 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 in many ways, from basic registering of FRI 7 SEP, 12.00 - 15.00 WISH YOU WERE HERE? what is going on around us through to a BRITISH SCIENCE ASSOCIATION SEARCHING FOR EXOPLANETS sense that there is an ‘us’ inside our OPEN FORUM bodies willing and causing things to In Scotland, there are many scientists who happen. Consider how cutting-edge Join British Science Association staff for the devote their research to the field of coma studies, anesthesia/sleep research, Chief Executive’s report on our activities for exoplanets, planets outside our Solar neuropsychology and experimental the past year and plans for the year ahead. System that orbit stars other than our Sun. psychology are investigating these various Venue: Linklater Rooms, University See two short documentary films by aspects of consciousness. of Aberdeen 5 Edinburgh College of Art students looking Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Organised by: British Science Association at the work they do and what inspires Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE them. Organised by: Psychology Section, NO BOOKING REQUIRED Venue: Meston Lecture Theatre 2, British Science Association University of Aberdeen 3 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Organised by: Royal Observatory FRI 7 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 Edinburgh, University of St Andrews and University of Edinburgh CANNABIS: WEEDING OUT Supported by: STFC THE HIGHS AND LOWS AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE A panel of experts including Roger Pertwee and Ruth Ross from the University of Aberdeen present interactive talks describing the history of cannabis use, the body’s own cannabinoid system and recent research on how cannabis affects the body. These talks will be followed by a panel debate involving research experts and a representative from Barnardos. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture #bsf2012 Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 What do dwarf elephants have to do with Organised by: University of Aberdeen /BritishScienceFestival climate change? AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE

14 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

FRI 7 SEP

FRI 7 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 FRI 7 SEP, 15.30 - 16.30 FRI 7 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 LIVING IN A MATERIAL WORLD EXPANDING MINDS AND UNIVERSES IS ACCESS TO WATER A HUMAN RIGHT? Making trains levitate; harnessing your Join John Barrow to hear about how Join in this broad-ranging discussion on body heat to charge your mobile phone Einstein made it possible for cosmologists water as a human right. Hear four and ensuring that cars packed with to study whole universes. Find out how international experts speak about the rocket fuel don’t end up somewhere in expanding universes, rotating universes, international water sustainability challenge, orbit. Join materials chemist Jamie chaotic universes, inflationary universes, the philosophy and ethics of the concept Gallagher for a look at the successes accelerating universes and multiverses of water as a human right, the science of and failures of the new materials that will were all discovered. What is the current water purity and contamination and power tomorrow’s world. best description of the Universe and what engineering solutions to water sustainability. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture problems still remain to be solved by Following these short presentations you get mathematical physicists? to have your say. Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Organised by: Jamie Gallagher Venue: King’s Quad, Lecture Theatre 7, King’s College, University of Aberdeen 7 Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 Supported by: University of Glasgow and Organised by: Mathematical Sciences Organised by: Robert Gordon University Royal Academy of Engineering Section, British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Supported by: Edinburgh Mathematical Society AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE FOLLOWED BY A DRINKS RECEPTION FRI 7 SEP, 16.30 - 17.30 FRI 7 SEP, 14.30 - 15.30 SELF-MANAGING CHRONIC PAIN ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY Explore the process taken by a group of BEYOND CLIMATE CHANGE older people and academics in The energy landscape is changing rapidly FRI 7 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 identifying grey literature (literature and revealing some difficult choices. We THE REAL DOOMSDAY 2012: available to the general public). The older people will discuss their experiences of expect a growth in demand for energy CATACLYSMIC EVENTS AND but need a more efficient and self-managing chronic pain. sustainable way of producing and HUMAN EXTINCTION Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture consuming it. Join Ellen Williams, Chief 2012 has been widely predicted to herald Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 Scientist at BP and Julian M Allwood from the end of the world, based on interpre- Organised by: University of Aberdeen Cambridge University, to discuss the tations of ancient Mayan sources. But Supported by: MRC / LLHW (EOPIC Study) challenges and opportunities around doomsday myths aside, will Homo sapiens energy and natural resources. still be thriving on earth in a million years AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Venue: King’s Quad, Lecture Theatre 8, from now? And what of the Earth and the King’s College, University of Aberdeen 7 Universe itself? Join Richard Fortey, Jon Turney, Alok Jha, and Jocelyn FRI 7 SEP, 16.30 - 17.30 Organised by: BP Bell-Burnell on a journey to the end of AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE the world. BREAD, BRIE AND BOOZE: Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre OUR USE OF MICROBES AND 1, University of Aberdeen 3 MOLECULES IN THE KITCHEN Organised by: Physics and Astronomy Section and General Section, British Discover the science behind three of our Science Association most ancient foodstuffs with presenter Sarah Castor-Perry. In this fun, fact-filled AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE show, find out why salt is so important for great bread, what gives some wines a buttery smell while others smell of berries and how accidentally leaving cheese in Booking Line: a French cave led to the discovery of one of the most famous (and stinky) 08456 807 207 Don’t miss our evening types of cheese. or visit events from page 24 Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, University of Aberdeen www.britishsciencefestival.org featuring lots more Organised by: Sarah Castor-Perry You can book in person at Aberdeen talks and debates Box Office, Music Hall. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE

15 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

SAT 8 SEP

FRI 7 SEP – SUN 9 SEP SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 THE BRITISH ASTRONOMICAL DEADLY DIVISIONS WEEKEND EVENT Join a panel of experts to hear the Join us to explore our Sun and some of its evidence on the relationship between effects that we can observe. On Sunday social deprivation, income inequalities take a walking tour which will include and health. How feasible is it to prevent ill seeing the exhibition of historical health and improve well-being in astronomy books, a guided visit to the communities in challenging circum- Cromwell tower observatory and a walk stances by cultivating ‘social assets’? between the High Street and St Machar’s It wasn’t me, it was my neurons Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre Cathedral. The distance of the walking 1, University of Aberdeen 3 tour is less than one mile SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 Organised by: Sociology and Social Policy Section, British Science Association FRI 7 SEP IT WASN’T ME, IT WAS MY NEURONS 19.30 Registration and refreshments AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE As we learn in more detail how our brains 20.00 Stuart Clark - Isaac Newton and work, some scientists argue that, the sensorium of God (See p27) ultimately, humans are just biological SAT 8 SEP machines, programmed to do as our SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 12.30 AND 14.00 - 16.30 10.30 Registration and refreshments brain tells us. Where does that leave ideas such as love, freewill and responsibility for CSI: FACT OR FICTION 10.50 Official welcome by BAA President, our actions? Join Alasdair Coles and William Leatherbarrow Barry Smith to debate these and other Internationally renowned forensic scientist 11.00 Dave Gavine - Aurora related issues. David Barclay has over 30 years’ experience and has worked on some of 12.00 Alan Hood - Our Sun's magnetic Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture the highest profile cases in the UK and personality Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 abroad. Discover how science played a 13.00 Lunch Organised by: Church of Scotland, key part in investigating these crimes and Society, Religion and Technology Project how scientific evidence is evaluated in 14.30 Torcuill Torrance – Local astronomy the overall context of the investigation. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE 15.00 Ken Kennedy – Noctilucent clouds Supplementary workshops at RGU will 16.00 Refreshments allow you to see first-hand some of the forensic techniques used. 16.30 Denis Buczynski - North by Venue: Robert Gordon University, Northwest (or Inverness SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 and Beyond) St Andrew Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1HG 9 SAVIOUR SIBLING VS SPIT REGISTRY 17.30 Raffle and close Organised by: Robert Gordon University 19.30 Registration and refreshments Join a panel of speakers including AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Bronwen Shaw and Mark Vickers. Hear 20.00 John Mason - Eclipses the arguments for and against the Bone SUN 9 SEP Marrow Registry and the potential need for saviour siblings in the fight against 10.30 John S Reid – Astronomical blood cancers. Consider what you would tour (2 hours) do to save your child. Could you rely on Venue: King’s College Conference strangers or would you create a life to Centre, University of Aberdeen 6 save a life? Organised by: British Astronomical Society Venue: Robertson Trust Lecture and Aberdeen Astronomical Society Theatre, Suttie Centre for Teaching AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 and Learning in Healthcare, AB25 2ZD COSTS BAA MEMBERS £15 .00 FOR THE FULL WEEKEND INCLUDING REFRESHMENTS ON FRIDAY NIGHT AND Organised by: University of SATURDAY PLUS A £5.00 FOOD VOUCHER OR £20.00 Aberdeen, Division of NON-BAA MEMBERS. ACCOMPANIED CHILDREN Medical and Dental UNDER 16 £8.00 Education, Aberdeen Marrow and FOR SATURDAY ONLY, BAA MEMBERS £10.00 & Anthony Nolan NON-BAA MEMBERS £12.50 ACCOMPANIED CHILDREN UNDER 16 £5.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE YOU CAN PAY ON THE DOOR ON THE DAY FOR INDIVIDUAL TALKS £2.00 PER EVENT

16 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

SAT 8 SEP

SAT 8 SEP, 11.00 - 12.00 SAT 8 SEP, 12.00 - 13.00 SAT 8 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 FORGOTTEN KNOWLEDGE: CHARLES DARWIN AWARD LECTURE: THE ELECTRIC BODY: HOW THE DISCOVERY AND LOSS OF THE SURPRISING SECRETS OF GIANT ELECTRICITY HELPS THE BODY A CURE FOR SCURVY LAND ANIMALS REPAIR ITSELF Nine out of ten members of a ship’s crew How does the weight of giant land Explore the controversial concept of used to succumb to scurvy. The results of animals change the way they stand and electrical healing from Victorian era James Lind’s work on the HMS Salisbury in move? Can an elephant jump, or quackery to modern medicine. How is 1747, which led to a cure, without doubt gallop? Do elephants really have six electricity made by the body? How is it saved innumerable lives. There was little toes? How fast was a T. rex? Could you used naturally to assist healing? What are scurvy in Nelson’s days; but the reason is outrun it, or an elephant? Take part in an the consequences when it goes awry? not clear, since, according to modern interactive presentation of a simulated Can we use electricity in the clinic to research, lime-juice only helps to prevent dinosaur environment, inspect bones for assist in wound repair, tissue regeneration it. So why did Lind’s results get forgotten? clues about large animals, and get and nervous system repair, or is the whole concept merely Frankenstein revisited? Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture ready for a visit from a giant, two- legged, scaly animal whose name Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture starts with “T”. Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 Organised by: MRC Laboratory of Awarded to John Hutchinson by the Organised by: University of Aberdeen Molecular Biology British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Theatre 1, University of Aberdeen 2 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE SAT 8 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 ANIMAL MIND, HUMAN MIND Four enthusiastic experts compare SAT 8 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 animal and human minds. Katie FEEDING THE NINE BILLION Slocombe on communication between mothers and infants, chimpanzees Explore the complex topic of food and humans; Amanda Seed on the security in the company of high-profile evolutionary origins of crows, life scientists and economists and our chimpanzees and children; Sue Healy Chair, James Withers, CEO of Scotland on bird brains, memory and building in Food and Drink. Hear the views of local hummingbirds and weaverbirds and children and adults in a short film and Andy Whiten on culture in the worlds of join in the discussion on the future of our children and chimpanzees. food supply. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 1, University of Aberdeen 3 Organised by: University of St Andrews Organised by: University of Aberdeen and University of York Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health and Moredun Research Institute AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE and SAC Supported by: The Scottish Government AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE

Charles Darwin Award Lecture: The surprising secrets of giant Animal mind, human mind land animals

17 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

SAT 8 SEP

SAT 8 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 SAT 8 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 HOW THE ZEBRA GOT ITS STRIPES CAN YOU BE RELIGIOUS AND As a child your parents may have read SCIENTIFIC (WITHOUT GOING CRAZY)? you Rudyard Kipling’s story about how the The argument about the compatibility of leopard got its spots, a tale in which a myth (or religion) with science is not new, it man puts the spots on a leopard’s fur by goes back to ancient Greece. The rise of using his fingers. While the story is for science as the modern way of explaining children, the question is a profound one events in the world has simply raised the The Spielgeltent and one that has been asked by issue even more intensely. Our panel of generations of scientists. Join Andrea Sella speakers will debate their views on the issue. to see how simple chemistry can result in We are delighted to host amazing patterns. Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 the Spiegeltent at the Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, Organised by: University of Aberdeen University of Aberdeen British Science Festival AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Organised by: Andrea Sella for the first time in 2012. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00 Spiegeltents (Dutch for SAT 8 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 mirror tent) have been IN TUNE WITH MATHEMATICS used as traveling dance What does it mean to be musically ‘in halls, bars and tune’? The story takes us from Pythagoras to entertainment salons the modern day. We’ll see why the since they were standard Western tuning of instruments is in fact out of tune and we’ll see how created in the late mathematics revolutionized the music 19th/early 20th century. industry via software that helps singers sing Built of wood, mirrors, in tune. Along the way we hope to solve canvas, leaded glass the puzzle of the Beatles’ Magical Mystery Chord. Suitable for the whole family. and detailed in velvet Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture and brocade, each has its Dark matters Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 own personality and style. Organised by: University of Leeds Traditionally the Supported by: Canford School, Dorset Spiegeltent is a place for AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE SAT 8 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 merry-making and we VICTORIAN SCIENCE SPECTACULAR hope you will join us there Roll up, roll up! We present an eclectic SAT 8 SEP, 16.30 - 17.30 for comedy, drama, music bill of science entertainment, as seen in DARK MATTERS and cocktails. Relax during music halls during the nineteenth century. the day in the fully Amazing electrical apparatus, dissolving No one has ever seen dark matter, not views (magic lanterns), animal sketches, even a single particle. So why do licensed bar or grab a madrigals and animated photographs. astronomers insist that it’s all around us? Is it coffee and a snack. In the Our skilled performers and engineers re- just a figment of their imagination? And evenings enjoy a range of create acts seen by the public over 100 how come particle physicists are so excited years ago, proving that these still have by it when they don’t even know what entertainment and mingle the power to captivate and inform. they’re looking for? Cosmologist Andrew with fellow Festival-goers. Pontzen (BBC Stargazing Live) and LHC Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre physicist Tom Whyntie introduce this 1, University of Aberdeen 3 mysterious ‘stuff’ and its wider implications Organised by: History of Science Section, for science. British Science Association Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE University of Aberdeen Organised by: Andrew Pontzen and Tom Whyntie AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

18 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

SUN 9 SEP

SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 - 10.30 AND 10.45 - 11.45 SUN 9 SEP, 11.00 - 12.00 SUN 9 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 CAFE COSMOS FESTIVAL SPECIAL SUPERCOMPUTERS IN SCIENCE: FROM TAXING PEOPLE FOR UNHEALTHY Discover one of Aberdeen’s best hidden THE BIG BANG TO CLIMATE CHANGE BEHAVIOURS OR REWARDING astronomical secrets as we open Today’s supercomputers are the most HEALTHY BEHAVIOURS? Aberdeen College’s planetarium for a powerful calculating machines ever session with the stars. Join Rick Holstein of Cigarettes and alcohol are being taxed invented, and they get faster every year. heavily and a ‘fat tax’ is in the news. An Aberdeen College and Torcuill Torrance EPCC, the supercomputing centre at the of Aberdeen Astronomical Association alternative is to reward healthy University of Edinburgh, has been at the behaviours. Join Anne Ludbrook, Marjon for a star show and talk, including what’s forefront of supercomputing for over 20 coming up in the night skies for budding van der Pol and Mandy Ryan to hear years. Find out what supercomputers are recent research on taxing and paying in astronomers. Booking essential as and how they play a key role in capacity is strictly limited. health promotion. What should nanotechnology, particle physics, governments do to reduce obesity, cosmology, engineering and climate Venue: Aberdeen College Planetarium, smoking and drinking too much alcohol? research. Gallowgate, AB25 1BN 4 Increase tax on unhealthy goods or Organised by: University of Aberdeen Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre reward healthy behaviours? and Aberdeen College 1, University of Aberdeen 3 Venue: Meston Building, Lecture Theatre Organised by: EPCC, The University of AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE 1, University of Aberdeen 3 Edinburgh and PRACE; The Partnership Organised by: University of Aberdeen for Advanced Computing in Europe AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 THE NORTHERN PAST: SUN 9 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL SUN 9 SEP, 12.00 - 13.00 RESEARCH IN THE ARCTIC WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? LORD KELVIN AWARD LECTURE: THE 500 MILLION YEAR-OLD EDITION How did people survive in the far North? EXPLORING THE INNARDS OF THE In this Anthropology and Archaeology EARTH USING SEISMOLOGY While studying insulin signalling in Section Presidential session, hear how humans, we made an unexpected archaeologists from the University of To understand how and when discovery that transported us back 500 Aberdeen are revealing the behaviour of catastrophic events such as earthquakes million years, to a time when our Arctic peoples. Based on research and volcanoes occur, we need ancestors were spineless creatures living conducted in Alaska, explore how they knowledge of the inaccessible deep on the ocean floor. Find out what survived in these extreme lands, Earth. Seismology helps us gain this happened so long ago, which still affects discovering their life histories, food webs understanding by detecting distant the life and diseases of modern humans. and communities. earthquakes as seismograms. How are Venue: Fraser Noble, Lecture Theatre 3, Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture seismic data from Ethiopia being used University of Aberdeen 2 Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 to understand how continents break up to form new oceans and what can Organised by: College of Life Sciences, Organised by: University of Aberdeen they tell us about the Earth’s past? University of Dundee and Anthropology and Archaeology Supported by: MRC Section, British Science Association Awarded to Ian Bastow by the British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Venue: King’s College Conference Centre, Auditorium, University 6 of Aberdeen Audience Level: AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE 1 – Families 2 – Everyone 3 – All adults @BritishSciFest 4 – Adults with some knowledge of the topic /BritishScienceFestival 5 – Professionals The northern past: New archaeological research in the Arctic 19 Find out fascinating facts in our series TALKS AND of daily talks and debates and meet our award-winning scientists and DEBATES engineers with the gift of the gab.

Science of sleep George McGavin The Turing Project

SUN 9 SEP

SUN 9 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 SUN 9 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 SUN 9 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 LOOKING FOR LEVIATHANS: WHAT BBC SCOTLAND PRESENTS TURING: THE HUMAN VS THE MACHINE DOES SCIENCE TELL US ABOUT THE SCIENCE... WITH GEORGE MCGAVIN Alan Turing, one of the truly original HUNT FOR SEA MONSTERS? BBC Scotland explores the art of making thinkers of the last century was born in 1912. We celebrate his centenary with Join in talks and demonstrations to science content appealing to television audiences, with charismatic presenter an overview of his achievements in logic, explore what the possibilities are of mathematics, computing and artificial unknown animals being discovered in the George McGavin and Controller of UK Factual Production at BBC, Natalie intelligence. The Turing Test asks whether world’s rivers, lakes and seas. What does you can distinguish, blindfold, a human’s psychology, ecology and statistics tell us Humphreys. The duo will take a look at an original new series coming from BBC conversation from a computer’s? about the reality of people reporting Join in and cast your vote. monsters? Scotland and the blood, sweat and collaboration that goes into making Venue: Regent Building, Regent Lecture Venue: Fraser Noble, Lecture Theatre 2, programmes which are aimed at Theatre, University of Aberdeen 9 University of Aberdeen 2 expanding the minds of the nation. Organised by: London South Bank Organised by: CREEM, University of Venue: King’s College Conference University St Andrews and Skeptics in the Centre, Auditorium, University Pub Aberdeen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE of Aberdeen 6 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Organised by: British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE SUN 9 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 SHOWING MERCY OR A LICENCE TO SUN 9 SEP, 14.00 - 15.00 KILL? ASSISTED SUICIDE SUN 9 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 SCIENCE OF SLEEP Get involved in a spirited discussion Getting enough sleep is vital to our THE EXTREME UNIVERSE about this controversial topic. We will wellbeing. However, up to 20% of people Our Universe is a violent place. Explosions begin by asking you to vote and share suffer from regular sleep disruption. What of star-destroying magnitude occur your opinion, then you’ll hear from the effect does this have on their physical somewhere in the cosmos almost daily. speakers for both sides, including Peter and mental health? Our expert panel will Black holes embody regions of extra- Kiehlmann, Aberdeen GP who recently examine the key scientific issues and ordinary extremes of gravity, distorting the worked on the Scottish National Action reveal the latest research to explore why very fabric of space-time. The reality of Plan for Palliative Care. You’ll then vote visiting the land of nod is so important. our Universe is almost stranger than we again and see if hearing the arguments Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, can imagine. Join us to see some of the has caused you to change your views. University of Aberdeen ways we are working to probe its most Venue: Robertson Trust Lecture Theatre, extreme properties. Organised by: Society for Endocrinology Suttie Centre for Teaching and Learning Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture in Healthcare, AB25 2ZD Supported by: Biological Sciences Theatre 2, University of Aberdeen 2 Section, British Science Association Organised by: University of Aberdeen, Organised by: Physics and Astronomy Division of Medical & Dental Education, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Section, British Science Association Christian Medical Fellowship and AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Christian Union Supported by: Fifth Dimension AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE

20 It’s your chance to get hands-on WORKSHOPS and brains-on in our programme of practical activities.

Why don’t we eat as we intend? No head, no problem Multi-track mixing

TUES 4 SEP WED 5 SEP THURS 6 SEP

TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 - 17.00 WED 5 SEP, 10.00 - 17.00 THURS 6 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 ‘MEET THE EXPERT’ TRAINING DARK SKY AND DEEP SPACE TRUST AND THE DIGITAL ECONOMY Researchers, have you ever wanted to In this training workshop for science The notion of trust lies at the heart of feel more confident communicating your teachers and informal educators you’ll the digital economy, as our daily research to the public? This training have the chance to learn how to run an interactions are increasingly mediated course will give you advice on how to effective stargazing session, with lots of by technology. Join academics, give a presentation, how to spark an tips for bad weather back-up plans. practitioners, and professionals of all interest in something yet unknown and You’ll also be introduced to hands-on disciplines and backgrounds to discuss how to create a space to encourage activities relating to current areas of the key issues surrounding trust and the interest and curiosity. astronomy research, like galaxies and digital economy, and explore extrasolar planets. methodologies, technologies, policies Venue: King’s College Conference and tools for addressing them. Centre, Carnegie Room, University Venue: King’s College Conference Venue: MacRobert Building, Room 028, of Aberdeen 6 Centre, Carnegie Room, University of Aberdeen 6 University of Aberdeen Organised by: Glasgow Science Centre Organised by: dot.rural Digital Economy Royal Observatory Edinburgh Organised by: Royal Observatory Edinburgh Research Hub, University of Aberdeen Supported by: STFC Supported by: STFC AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 5 FREE VISIT: WWW.DOTRURAL.AC.UK/TRUSTDE2012/ TO BOOK OR CALL 01224 274238

FRI 7 SEP AND SAT 8 SEP, 18.00 - 18.45 Audience Level: AND 19.00 - 19.45, SUN 9 SEP, 18.00 - 18.45 1 – Families THE TURING PROJECT 2 – Everyone Could you tell the difference between a 3 – All adults #bsf2012 man and a machine? You’re a top- secret scientist guarding the emergency 4 – Adults with some communication channel, keeping it open knowledge of the topic /BritishScienceFestival for agents to send out distress calls. When you pick up a message from a man in 5 – Professionals distress, you must decide whether he is Booking Line: real or a machine trying to trick you. We regret there is no disabled access We advise that you 08456 807 207 to this show. pre-book your tickets, or visit Venue: New King’s, University of even where events are free. www.britishsciencefestival.org Aberdeen 4 www.britishscience Organised by: Simply Told You can book in person at Aberdeen festival.org AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £3.00 Box Office, Music Hall.

21 We advise that you pre-book your tickets, even where events are free. Visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

SAT 8 SEP

SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 SAT 8 SEP, 13.00 – 14.00 SAT 8 SEP, 15.30 - 17.30 HOW TO SOLVE CRIMES WITH WHY DON’T WE EAT AS WE NO HEAD, NO PROBLEM: CAN WE MATHEMATICS INTEND? THE PSYCHOLOGY OF GROW MISSING BODY PARTS? The modern Sherlock Holmes is a DIETARY CONTROL Planarian flatworms can re-grow a mathematician. From election fraud and missing tail (or head) and newts can re- internet crime to murder and terrorism, We all know what we should and shouldn’t eat. However, tasty high grow limbs, so why can’t humans re- mathematics has become the most grow lost body parts? In this interactive acute weapon in our fight to bring calorie foods surround us and, as a result, most of us struggle to stick to our dietary drop-in event, scientist Ann Rajnicek uses criminals to justice. Learn how to use models, movies and worms undergoing maths to solve crimes, find out how intentions. Join chartered psychologist Julia Allan to discuss the psychology of spontaneous tissue re-growth to show powerful computer programs uncover you this fascinating process. Find out terrorist networks, and how mathematics dietary control and take part in a range of psychological tests designed to how worms could aid future therapies to can be used to predict a crime even stimulate limb or tissue re-growth in before it’s happened! illustrate why resisting temptation is so hard. humans. Venue: Linklater Rooms, University Venue: Linklater Rooms, University of Aberdeen 5 Venue: Linklater Rooms, University 5 of Aberdeen 5 Organised by: University of Aberdeen of Aberdeen Organised by: Health Psychology Group, Organised by: University of Aberdeen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £3.00 University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute of AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £3.00 Nutrition and Health Supported by: The Scottish Government AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £3.00 SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 17.00 SAT 8 SEP, 11.00 - 12.30 MULTI-TRACK MIXING AND 14.00 - 15.30 It’s your chance to be a music producer. VISUALISING THE INVISIBLE: You get to record musicians and then FIGHTING HEALTHCARE- learn how to edit and mix the audio. ASSOCIATED INFECTIONS Venue: Aberdeen College, Gallowgate, Explore how best to visualise the AB25 1BN 4 pathogens that cause healthcare- Organised by: Aberdeen College associated infections. Create 3D models and let these loose in RGU’s AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Why don’t we eat as we intend? simulated hospital wards. Microbiologists DROP-IN EVENT, NO NEED TO BOOK will advise and encourage you and you’ll get to view and vote on new SAT 8 SEP, 14.30 - 17.00 digital visualisation prototypes. No prior THE SCIENCE BEHIND FOOD LABELS: knowledge necessary. SAT 8 SEP, 11.15 -12.00 AND 14.15 - 15.00 WHAT THEY TELL YOU AND WHAT Venue: Room H230, Faculty of Health and Social Care Building, Robert Gordon THE WONDER OF KNOTLESS KNOTS THEY DON’T University, Garthdee Road, Aberdeen, Cat’s cradles are kid’s stuff compared to A workshop walk-through with market AB10 7QG knotless knots. In this workshop you can stalls where you can find out about Organised by: Institute for Health and learn to make some of the oldest games different aspects of what food labels tell Welfare Research, Robert Gordon still played worldwide, from the Pacific you and what they don’t. Members of University, Glasgow School of Art, Islands to the frozen North. You’ll be the Nutrition Society Brian Ratcliffe, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art amazed at the complex string structures Wendy Wrieden and Shauna and Design, University of Dundee, NHS Cunningham will share their insights into used to teach maths in New York and Lanarkshire, NHS Grampian and you will find out how an Audi car food labels and make you look twice in NHS Education for Scotland commercial and a cathedral were the supermarket next time. designed using knotless knots. Supported by: Arts and Humanities Venue: Robert Gordon University, St Research Council, Scottish Funding Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 Andrew Street, Aberdeen, AB25 1HG 9 Council and Robert Gordon University Organised by: Bubblestrings Organised by: Robert Gordon University AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00, CONC. £3.00 Supported by: Nutrition Society AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE DROP-IN EVENT. NO NEED TO BOOK.

22 WORKSHOPS

SUN 9 SEP

SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 RISING TIDE: THE SUBMERGED See the map on p49 ARCHAEOLOGY OF ORKNEY for city centre venues The seas around Orkney have risen some 30 metres since people first inhabited the islands some 10,000 years ago. Archaeological sites on land such as Skara Brae are well known. This workshop will present the first results of work to examine the seabed. Meet the team Finding Aberdeen: The historical way and experience some of the methods used to study and recreate the submerged landscape of Orkney. SUN 9 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 FINDING ABERDEEN: Venue: Linklater Rooms, University of Aberdeen 5 THE HISTORICAL WAY Organised by: University of Aberdeen, Ever felt lost at sea? Get some hands-on University of Dundee, University experience of how sailors from the of St Andrews and University of Wales Vikings onward would have navigated (Trinity St David) their way to Aberdeen harbour. Seafarers from the past will step into AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £3.00 the present to discuss and demonstrate a variety of historical navigational techniques, from currents, stars, and visible landmarks, through to the development of magnetic compasses, @BritishSciFest improved mapping techniques, and accurate timepieces. Venue: Aberdeen Maritime Museum, /BritishScienceFestival Shiprow, Aberdeen, AB11 5BY 5 Organised by: History of Science Section, British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE NO BOOKING REQUIRED BUT LIMITED SPACES Booking Line: Rising tide: The submerged archaeology of Orkney 08456 807 207 SUN 9 SEP, 13.00 - 15.00 or visit THE WAR WITHIN US: www.britishsciencefestival.org SUN 9 SEP, 11.15 - 12.00 AND 14.15 - 15.00 FIGHTING INFECTION You can book in person at Aberdeen FOLDING WORKSHOP Our bodies are under constant attack Box Office, Music Hall. from gazillions of minute bugs, such as What has origami got to do with the bacteria, viruses and fungi. We space station or paper cranes with the successfully fend off most assaults, but atom bomb? Did you know that sometimes the attackers cause serious anything can be folded out of a piece infections and can be lethal. Have a Audience Level: of paper using a recently devised microscopic view at the frontline; team computer programme? Come along up with biologists and mathematicians to 1 – Families and learn to fold paper models. see how cutting-edge experiments, 2 – Everyone Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 supercomputers and exciting ideas help to win the war raging inside each of us. Organised by: Bubblestrings 3 – All adults Venue: Linklater Rooms, University AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00, CONC. £3.00 of Aberdeen 5 4 – Adults with some Organised by: University of Aberdeen knowledge of the topic AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £3.00 5 – Professionals

23 Join us after dark for a varied programme EVENING of shows, film screenings, performances and debates. Don’t miss our new, wild EVENTS fin-de-sie` cle nightspot – the Spiegeltent.

Image caption The Diving Bell and the Butterfly Paul Nurse Festival of the Spoken Nerd

TUES 4 SEP

TUES 4 SEP, 18.00 - 19.30 TUES 4 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 TUES 4 SEP, 19.00 - 21.45 CHEMISTRY SECTION MIXER GREAT IDEAS OF BIOLOGY RUNNING FREE FROM An opportunity to meet the Chemistry Three of the great ideas of biology are LOCKED-IN SYNDROME Section committee and speakers over gene theory, evolution by natural In 2010 Kate Allatt experienced the drinks and nibbles. selection, and the proposal that the cell is terrifying reality of locked-in syndrome - left the fundamental unit of all life. A fourth completely paralysed by a severe brain Venue: Meston Building, NFRI Boardroom, idea is that the organisation of chemistry stem stroke. Two years on, Kate has written G05A, University of Aberdeen 3 within the cell provides explanations for two books and is campaigning for stroke life’s phenomena. A new idea is the Organised by: Chemistry Section, awareness. Following a screening of The central role that information British Science Association Diving Bell and the Butterfly join Kate, management plays in generating AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE biological organisation. Join Nobel along with Christian Schwarzbauer, Helen Prize-winner Paul Nurse to explore life. Gooday, Stephen Stott and Neva Haites, for a journey into coma and consciousness. Venue: King’s College Conference Centre, Venue: Belmont Cinema, Belmont Street, Auditorium, University of Aberdeen 6 TUES 4 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 Aberdeen, AB10 1JS 6 Organised by: British Science Association CAFÉ CONTROVERSIAL: NEVER WORK Organised by: Public Engagement with WITH CHILDREN OR ANIMALS? AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £10.00, CONC £8.00 Research Unit, University of Aberdeen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £5.00, CONC £3.00 Few issues fire up public opinion more than medical research involving humans TUES 4 SEP, 19.00 – 20.00 TO BOOK CALL 0871 9025721 or animals does. However, many stories may challenge some perceptions on the SECTIONS RECEPTION ethics of human and animal experimen- Join the scientific sections of the British tation. In this special Cafe Controversial Science Association for an informal TUES 4 SEP, 20.00 - 22.30 event join Dianne Stillwell, Laura Waters evening of games and chat. The Sections FESTIVAL OF THE SPOKEN NERD and Pamela Dicks to share your views are made up of volunteers from all fields and explore two interactive stories around of science, who work hard year after Before they embark on their first national animal testing and research involving year to create events in the tour, join stand-up mathematician Matt children. Festival programme. Parker, geek songstress Helen Arney and experiments guy Steve Mould for a variety Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, University Venue: Elphinstone Hall, University show for the fearlessly inquisitive. Join of Aberdeen 5 of Aberdeen three of the UK’s best (and nerdiest) Organised by: Public Engagement with Organised by: British Science Association performers for a celebration of comedy, Research Unit, University of Aberdeen Sections science, music, maths, interactive AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE experiments and maybe some things that go bang. Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, University of Aberdeen More talks and debates Organised by: Festival of the Spoken Nerd AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £5.00 on pages 4 - 20 /BritishScienceFestival

24 EVENING EVENTS

Susan Greenfield Maggie Aderin-Pocock Behind the scenes with Michael Mosley

WED 5 SEP

WED 5 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 WED 5 SEP, 19.00 - 21.00 WED 5 SEP, 19.30 - 22.00 THE 21ST CENTURY MIND CAFÉ SCI: ARE WE ALONE AND CHEMISTRY SECTION DINNER The human brain will adapt to whatever WHEN WILL WE KNOW? Join the Chemistry Section and environment in which it is placed; Space science is helping us discover speakers for an informal dinner. We today’s cyber world is offering a new more and more about the amazing will announce the venue during the type of environment; the brain could Universe we live in. But as we search for Chemistry Section events. therefore be changing in parallel, in life in the Universe how will the latest Organised by: Chemistry Section, correspondingly new ways. So we need technology help us answer the ultimate British Science Association to try and foresee what these changes, question sooner rather than later? Join AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 be they positive or negative, may be. space scientist and BBC presenter Only then can we minimise the threats Maggie Aderin-Pocock for our and harness the opportunities. Join Café-Sci special. Susan Greenfield to explore the 21st century mind. Venue: Waterstones Book Store, Union Bridge, Aberdeen, AB11 6BG 15 WED 5 SEP, 20.00 - 22.00 Venue: Aberdeen Business School, Lecture Theatre 225, Garthdee Campus, Organised by: Public Engagement with BRIGHT CLUB Robert Gorden University, AB10 7QE Research Unit, University of Aberdeen What would happen if we got a bunch Organised by: Robert Gordon University AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE of interesting comedians, and combined them with all of the fascinating people NO BOOKING REQUIRED, JUST TURN UP AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £10.00, CONC £8.00 who work for Scotland’s top universities? BOOK SIGNING 19.00, ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY Bright Club is where comedy and brains collide to bring you an entertaining night WED 5 SEP, 19.30 - 21.30 of laughs, music and new ideas. MURDER, MYSTERY & MICROSCOPES Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, WED 5 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 University of Aberdeen Can local crime writer Stuart MacBride Organised by: Bright Club BEHIND THE SCENES WITH get his scientific facts right in this specially MICHAEL MOSLEY written short story? Forensic experts Supported by: University of Dundee Lorna Dawson and Dave Barclay, and AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £5.00 What is it that excites BBC presenter pathologist James Grieve test Stuart’s and producer, Michael Mosley, about forensic science in this lively event hosted science? Find out how science by presenter of BBC’s Material World, documentaries are made. From the Quentin Cooper. Join us to put crime stunning special effects in Pompeii and fiction under the microscope. Supervolcano to filming an experiment to prove that spontaneous human Venue: King’s College Conference Centre Booking Line: combustion is caused by the “wick Auditorium, University of Aberdeen 6 effect”. Join Michael for a journey Organised by: The James Hutton Institute, behind the scenes of film-making. University of Aberdeen and Robert 08456 807 207 Venue: King’s College Conference Centre, Gordon University or visit Auditorium, University of Aberdeen 6 Supported by: RESAS www.britishsciencefestival.org Organised by: British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE You can book in person at Aberdeen Box AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £10.00, CONC £8.00 BOOK SIGNING 18.00, ELPHINSTONE HALL Office, Music Hall.

25 EVENING For more information and to book visit EVENTS www.britishsciencefestival.org

John Krebs Brian Cox A Beautiful Mind THURS 6 SEP

THURS 6 SEP, 17.00 - 18.00 THURS 6 SEP, 18.15 - 19.15 THURS 6 SEP, 19.00 - 22.30 BRITISH SCIENCE ASSOCIATION THE QUANTUM UNIVERSE BLOWING THE MIND IN THE MEDIA PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS: DOING Just what is quantum physics? How does A Beautiful Mind is an Oscar-winning film THE RIGHT THING it help us understand the world? Where which tackles what is often referred to as does it leave Newton and Einstein? And the last taboo in mental health. Based Almost all the major challenges facing why can we be sure that the theory is on the life of John Nash, a Nobel Prize society involve changing human good? The bizarre behaviour of the winner, it explores his struggles with behaviour. Climate change, obesity, atoms and energy that make up the paranoid schizophrenia. Following a educational attainment and sexual universe has led to some very woolly film screening a panel of medical health are among many issues that will pronouncements on the nature of all professionals will discuss the often not be solved by technological fixes interconnectedness. Join Brian Cox and difficult relationship between mental alone. Join British Science Association Jeff Forshaw to talk about the real health and the media. President, John Krebs, to consider the science, and the profound theory that extent to which applying insights from Venue: Belmont Cinema, Belmont Street, allows for concrete, yet astonishing, AB10 1JS 6 psychology, behavioural economics and predictions about the world. other disciplines are an effective way of Organised by: University of Aberdeen, getting people to ‘do the right thing’. Venue: Arts Lecture Theatre, University Division of Medical and Dental Education of Aberdeen 8 Venue: King’s College Conference and Shrink Organised by: British Science Association Centre, Auditorium, University AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £5.00, CONC. £3.00 6 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £10.00, CONC. £8.00 of Aberdeen TO BOOK CALL 0871 9025721 Organised by: British Science Association WE WILL ALSO SHOW THE TALK LIVE ON SCREEN IN AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE A SEPARATE VENUE. TICKETS £5.00

THURS 6 SEP, 19.30 - 22.00

THURS 6 SEP, 18.30 - 21.00 FESTIVAL DINNER DISCOVERY DINNER Join us for dinner to hear who has been presented with a British Science A chance to dine with the scientists and Association Honorary Fellowship. chefs who have designed a sustainable Celebrate the Association’s work and and healthy four course meal for you. achievements throughout the year. You can hear presentations on the Venue: Elphinstone Hall, University of menus, nutritional analysis and you will Aberdeen 5 get the chance to sample the Organised by: British Science Association gastronomic delights created. Booking Line: Venue: William Dyce Brasserie, Aberdeen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £50.00 08456 807 207 College, Gallowgate, AB25 1BN 4 Organised by: Aberdeen College and or visit Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health www.britishsciencefestival.org AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £20.00 You can book in person at Aberdeen TO BOOK CALL 01224 612169 Box Office, Music Hall.

26 EVENING EVENTS

Rocket Lolly Stuart Clark Bill Bryson FRI 7 SEP

THURS 6 SEP, 20.00 - 22.00 FRI 7 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 FRI 7 SEP, 20.00 - 21.00 BRAIN OF ABERDEEN ISAAC NEWTON AND THE ANNUAL MUSIC HALL LECTURE 2012: Do you have the biggest brain in SENSORIUM OF GOD AN AUDIENCE WITH BILL BRYSON Aberdeen? Could your team be Isaac Newton: quintessential scientist – Bill Bryson is the UKs biggest selling non- crowned Aberdeen Skeptics in the Pub also alchemist, maverick theologian, and fiction author since official records quiz champions 2012? Join The arch-heretic. Astrophysicist and author began. Millions have enjoyed his hilarious Guardian’s Alok Jha as we test your Stuart Clark explores how this complicated travel books and joined him on an general knowledge, with just a hint of man’s unscientific traits were essential in enthralling journey through A Short History science – you don’t need to be Stephen shaping the scientific revolution. Just what of Nearly Everything, the international Hawking to win. did Newton mean when he called the bestseller. Join him as he talks to presenter Venue: The Illicit Still, Broad Street, Universe the sensorium of God? Quentin Cooper about his life, his passions AB10 1AU 1 Venue: King’s College Conference Centre, and his adventures along the way. Organised by: Medical Sciences Section, Auditorium, University of Aberdeen 6 Venue: The Music Hall, Aberdeen 15 British Science Association and Aberdeen Organised by: British Astronomical Organised by: British Science Association Skeptics in the Pub Association Aberdeen Branch and Aberdeen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £10.00, CONC. £8.00 Performing Arts BOOK SIGNING 19.00, ELPHINSTONE HALL Supported by: Aberdeen Performing Arts AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £10.00 THURS 6 SEP, 20.30 - 21.30 BOOK SIGNING 21.00, THE MUSIC HALL ROCKET LOLLY FRI 7 SEP, 18.00 - 20.00 A feast of vintage scientific curiosities on DATING, MATING AND RELATING: film, many accompanied live by human, THE SCIENCE OF ATTRACTION FRI 7 SEP, 20.00 - 22.00 theremin and robot band Spacedog. Enjoy infrasonic terrors, smoking robots, What does she see in him? We often ask THE SCIENCE OF COCKTAILS mind control experiments, space age about celebrity couples, our friends, and Are all vodkas the same? Why should fashions, bizarre time and motion studies even our own relationships. What makes you put water in your scotch, but never and other gems from the archives. Justin Bieber irresistible to some, but ice? What are the ingredients that make Includes a vision of the ‘future’ (1955) unappealing to others? The answers may a good cocktail a great one? Chemist made in 1933. lie in our life experiences and physical and mixologist Noel Jackson gets hands- attributes. Scientists from all over Scotland on to make the perfect Irish coffee. Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, are studying how and why we respond to University of Aberdeen Develop your own new cocktail and others’ odours, voices, faces and bodies. drink a few tried and tested classics. If Organised by: Spacedog Venue: Fraser Noble Building, Lecture you’ve got a thirst for knowledge, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £5.00 Theatre 3, University of Aberdeen 2 quench it with our Festival special mix Organised by: University of Glasgow, called energising minds. University of St Andrews, University of Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, Stirling, University of Abertay, University of University of Aberdeen Dundee Organised by: Centre for Life, Newcastle /BritishScienceFestival AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE Supported by: Glen Garioch Whisky AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £20.00 (Includes 6 cocktails)

27 EVENING For more information and to book visit EVENTS www.britishsciencefestival.org

Iain Stewart Richard Wiseman End of the world party

SAT 8 SEP SUN 9 SEP

SAT 8 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 SAT 8 SEP, 20.00 - 21.00 SUN 9 SEP, 18.00 - 20.00 THE STORY OF THE CONTINENTS SWEET DREAMS SPEED SCIENCE Join geologist and TV presenter Iain Join psychologist Richard Wiseman as he What happens when you take the Stewart for an insight into his next four delves deep into the science of sleep quickfire speed dating format and invite part series, The story of the continents, and dreaming. Why do you dream? Is it scientists to present their cutting-edge which he is still filming. Each of the four possible to control your dreams? Do your research and digital innovation in an programmes focuses on one continent dreams predict the future? How do you exciting and innovative way? Can they or set of continents – the Americas, get the perfect night’s sleep? Richard beat the clock and impress you to be Eurasia, Africa and Australia/Oceania. reveals what happens when your brain voted the winner? You will then get the chance to hear more from the winner and Venue: Arts Lecture Theatre, goes to sleep, and the new technology that claims to be able to create your join in with the lively discussion that follows. University of Aberdeen 8 perfect dream. The clock’s ticking! Organised by: British Science Association Venue: Arts Lecture Theatre, University Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £10.00, CONC. £8.00 of Aberdeen 8 University of Aberdeen BOOK SIGNING 19.00, ELPHINSTONE HALL Organised by: British Science Association Organised by: Speed Science and dot.rural Digital Economy Research Hub, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £10.00, CONC. £8.00 University of Aberdeen BOOK SIGNING 21.00, ELPHINSTONE HALL SAT 8 SEP, 19.00 - LATE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE END OF THE WORLD PARTY This evening of adults-only apocalyptic SAT 8 SEP, 20.00 - 22.00 activity will greet you, upon arrival, in a WHAT’S THE POINT? SUN 9 SEP, 19.00 - 23.00 contamination suite, show you what it was like in a 1950s bunkers, teach you to Scientists aren’t known for being concise. FESTIVAL FINALE: CULTURES CEILIDH create deadly viruses, help you choose So what will happen when host Timandra Fancy a dance? Our Festival finale frivolity your last meal on Earth and lead you to Harkness takes scientists, adds a kicks off at 19.00 with an eclectic your doom with live music from mathematician, and catalyses with exploration of Scottish and Celtic folklore, Edinburgh-based arts collective, Found. games rewarding ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’? interwoven with traditional Scottish dances All is not as it may seem as we prepare Featuring Matt Parker (as heard on Radio from Ghillie Dhu ceilidh band and 4’s Infinite Monkey Cage), Greg Foot for the end of the world. commentary from leading archaeologists (presenter, BBC3’s Secrets of Everything), and anthropologists. At 20.30 hot foot it into Venue: The Tunnels, Carnegie’s Brae, Lucie Green (Infinite Monkey our closing ceilidh knees-up with all the Aberdeen AB10 1BF 2 Cage/Stargazing Live/Sky at Night), Steve dance favourites and grab a delicious Organised by: British Science Association Mould, (Blue Peter), Dallas Campbell helping of Scottish stovies. and We Are Smart Consultants (BBC’s Bang Goes The Theory), Tom Whyntie, Andrew Pontzen, Andrea Sella Venue: Elphinstone Hall, University AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £5.00 and many more for a couple of hours of of Aberdeen 5 action-packed, explosive science silliness. Organised by: Archaeology and Venue: Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn, Anthropology Section, British Science University of Aberdeen Association and the University of Aberdeen Organised by: Andrew Pontzen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE BOOKING IN ADVANCE IS ESSENTIAL. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £5.00 *STOVIES £3 AT THE VENUE.

28 FAMILY EVENTS Spend some quality time with the kids in our jam-packed programme of family-friendly IN THE CITY events taking place around town.

Secret life of the skeleton Superhero science Visualise: Reloaded © science made simple 2007

TUES 4 SEP WED 5 SEP FRI 7 SEP

TUES 4 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 WED 5 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 FRI 7 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 THE SCIENCE OF FIREWORKS SECRET LIFE OF THE SKELETON VISUALISE: RELOADED How do they make colours, crackles, The skeleton is a remarkable structure, A mischievous mix of physical theatre, bangs and whistles in firework displays? extremely light yet able to support our live science demonstrations, projected How does it all work? Come and find out weight and continuously repair itself. With images and music. Using their mastery of in this behind-the-scenes look at the your help, we’ll reveal its secrets in this the laws of physics to create a world of science of fireworks with pyrotechnician family show brought to you by scientists wordless mystery, the technoclowns use Matthew Tosh. Featuring real indoor from the University of Aberdeen. everyday objects in unexpected ways, fireworks, videos and stage effects, you’ll including balloons, cabbage, toilet rolls be on the edge of your seat in this Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 and more. The lack of language means exciting science talk with a difference. Organised by: Bone and Musculoskeletal less explanation and more exploration. May contain loud bangs. Group, University of Aberdeen Join the technoclowns to discover the world of science in our everyday lives. Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (7+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 Organised by: Matthew Tosh and Skyburst, The Firework Company Organised by: science made simple Supported by: Le Maitre Ltd AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (6+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (10+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 THURS 6 SEP

THURS 6 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 Booking Line: SUPERHERO SCIENCE 08456 807 207 Can you wrestle tigers, read minds, see through walls and burn people with your or visit laser eyes? That’s the twisted (and somewhat unrealistic) dream of www.britishsciencefestival.org presenter Matt Pritchard. Family-friendly You can book in person at Aberdeen comedy and magic show exploring the Box Office, Music Hall. sneaky science behind superhero powers. What’s fact, what’s fiction and what’s feasible in the future? Audience Level: #bsf2012 3 Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 1 – Families Organised by: Lab Monkey Productions 2 – Everyone /BritishScienceFestival AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (6+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 3 – All adults 4 – Adults with some See the map on p49 knowledge of the topic for city centre venues 5 – Professionals

29 FAMILY EVENTS Spend some quality time with the kids in our jam-packed programme of family-friendly IN THE CITY events taking place around town.

Science misadventures: Daring demos and science stunts Bubbles and balloons Poking the brain

SAT 8 SEP

SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 11.00 SAT 8 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 SCIENCE IN THE QUAD BUBBLES AND BALLOONS POKING THE BRAIN What does physics have to do with the Explore the best bits about bubbles and Olympics? In the future of stargazing, We can learn about the workings of the balloons. From blowing them up to human brain by poking it with unusual how far will we be able to see? Just two bursting them, discover all the amazing questions that will be answered in a stimuli and seeing what comes out. things you can do in between. In this That’s why scientists love illusions. This series of talks and interactive workshops perfect introduction to science, through show uses illusions to demonstrate the for all ages at Robert Gordon College, fun demonstrations you can gain a basic weird workings of our senses and our including Marvin the cat and Milo the understanding of materials and their common sense. Join Blue Peter’s science dog performing simple science properties and have your curiosity expert Steve Mould to explore the experiments. aroused. workings of the physical world around us Venue: Robert Gordon’s College, with interactive demos and experiments. Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1FE 10 Organised by: science made simple Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 Organised by: Institute of Physics Scotland, Organised by: Steve Mould Robert Gordon’s College and Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (3-11) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 for Science Education AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (7+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE DAY INCLUDE: SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00

20/20 Vision: the future of astronomical CITIZEN SCIENCE: SAT 8 SEP, 15.30 - 16.30 observation GET INVOLVED WITH WATER SCIENCE MISADVENTURES: DARING Martin Hendry, University of Glasgow Join in this fun event and learn how you DEMOS AND SCIENCE STUNTS Wish You Were Here? Exoplanet Films can take part in citizen science in your Planetarium own back garden. With demonstrations Are gorillas stronger than air? Can you The Royal Observatory Edinburgh and interactive games, we will show you really walk on custard? When was how important water is to our everyday science ever this much fun? BBC demo Particle Physics for Scottish Schools lives. developer Fran Scott will answer these University of Edinburgh and more in this high-octane, fast-paced Venue: Water Citizen, The Macaulay Suite, celebration of science. An explosion of Rockets, Dragsters, Physics in the Field The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, daring and downright nutty Marvin and Milo, What Happens Next? Aberdeen, AB15 8HQ demonstrations of great past scientists Flight Organised by: The James Hutton Institute and large-scale science stunts that Fran designs for tv. There’ll be plenty Institute of Physics Supported by: RESAS of ooohs and aahhhs and a few Thermal Imaging AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 FREE bangs to boot! Thales, Glasgow Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 Remotely Operated Vehicles Organised by: Fran Scott Robert Gordon’s College and The Robert Gordon University AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (6+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00

AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

30 FAMILY EVENTS We advise that you pre-book your tickets, even where events are free. Visit the IN THE CITY website www.britishsciencefestival.org

Science junkie: In the zone The weird world of really really long molecules Jamie Gallagher

SUN 9 SEP

SAT 8 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 11.00 SUN 9 SEP, 15.30 - 16.30 SCIENCE JUNKIE: IN THE ZONE IZZY’S INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE INDESTRUCTIBLE ENERGY This new, action-packed show explores Can you help Izzy on her incredible Petrol, ping pong balls, calories and the physiology and sports engineering adventure? Along the way discover and cookies: what do they all have in that make an Olympic and Paralympic explore how transport really works! Can a common? Energy! FameLabber Jamie athlete a champion. BBC science toaster make a hot air balloon rise? Why Gallagher burns food, bounces balls and presenter Greg Foot and astronomer and do space rockets need explosions? Can generates electricity as he shows us what adventurer Huw James explore how you make metal float? This show involves energy is and why we can’t create or Usain Bolt can unleash the explosive everyone in investigating the way we destroy it. Explore how your body is like a energy he needs to sprint and how Paula travel, explaining the science behind combustion engine and why cars burn Radcliffe’s muscles are perfectly suited everyday transport and also the more petrol instead of eating cookies! unusual. to marathon running. How do sports Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 engineers give cyclist Chris Hoy Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 his medal-winning edge and why Organised by: Jamie Gallagher were high-tech swimsuits banned for Organised by: science made simple Supported by: University of Glasgow and London 2012? AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (3-7) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 Royal Academy of Engineering Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (7+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 Organised by: Science Junkie AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (12 +) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 SUN 9 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 THE WEIRD WORLD OF REALLY SUN 9 SEP, 18.00 - 19.30 REALLY LONG MOLECULES THE MATHS AND COMPUTING MAGIC SHOW Polymers are amazingly diverse molecules. They’re used in loads of Witness some amazing magic tricks clever ways. They have strange and sneak behind the scenes to explore properties that are exciting to explore. the maths and computing secrets This show reveals the strange workings of behind them. Mathematics and well-known polymers like polystyrene and computer science are behind today’s the weird behaviour of unknown technological wizardry, and help us polymers like polyethylene oxide. Join understand our own brains! Peter Blue Peter’s science expert Steve Mould McOwan and Matt Parker are both to explore some high tech polymers that scientists and magicians, and they will be are shaping the modern world. your guides to the secret world where science and conjuring meet. Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 Venue: Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 Organised by: Steve Mould Organised by: Queen Mary, #bsf2012 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (7+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 University of London AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (10+) £5.00, CONC. £3.00 /BritishScienceFestival

31 FAMILY EVENTS Join us at the Beach Ballroom, Beach Leisure Centre and Satrosphere Science AT THE BEACH Centre for a range of fun activities.

Cost: Individual day pass £5.00 Group of 4 day passes £18.00 Individual weekend pass £7.50 Group of 4 weekend passes £28.00 Under 3s are free

To take part in events at the beach, just turn up on the day. You can buy a wrist band which gives you access to all events happening at the beach on the day you book. You cannot book any of the following events in advance. Events taking place at Aberdeen Beach Ballroom 12

SAT 8 AND 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 WHICH WAY IS UP? TOP TURBINES MOVING MATERIALS Presented by Ken Farquhar Presented by the Royal Navy Presented by BP Two British hopefuls are inspired to join This drop-in workshop demonstrates a In this drop-in workshop you will be the Space Race with the aim to get to table top turbine, as used on the new challenged to move a fluid material from the moon... one step at a time. Will they type 45 frigates. You can design and a well at sea to a storage facility on get their rockets off the ground? Will they make your own fans and measure land. You will build pumps and pipelines survive basic training? This show is part their efficiency. from simple materials. Specialist workshop leaders will be on hand to comedy, part science. A Tardis full of AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 experiments, amazing tricks and stunts. explain how the process simulates the movement of oil from the North Sea. We regret there is no disabled access AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 to this show. SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 LIFE WITH MICROBES : TIMED SHOWS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS THE GOOD, THE BAD AND SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 THE UGLY OF THE BUG WORLD ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS Presented by NovaBiotics Presented by Noel Jackson, Centre for Life SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 In this drop-in workshop you can find How do cheetahs run so fast yet ANIMATES out how and why we share our lives with manage to turn so quickly? How do a bewildering array of microbes. Learn whales dive so deep? Why do marine Presented by Becky Rowe how to tell the ‘good bugs’ from the iguanas sneeze? This is an exciting Have you ever wondered why lizards ‘bad bugs’ and become a bug workshop where you can help scientists have three eyes, why not all snakes are detective to discover which harmful do wacky experiments to explore the venomous and how you can help the microbes cause which type of infections wonderful ways that animals are planet’s most endangered species? and how these can be prevented adapted to their environments. It’s a Then come and meet the Animates and treated. must for anyone who loves wildlife. crew where we will introduce you to our AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 live animal guests, sharing facts about their habitats and how to care for such amazing creatures. Working with HM Revenue and Customs, Animates brings you a showcase of seized items, many of which belong to some of the world’s most endangered species. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2

32 FAMILY EVENTS Join us at the Beach Ballroom, Beach Leisure Centre and Satrosphere Science AT THE BEACH Centre for a range of fun activities.

SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 BODYWORKS SPORT STATION FANCY FEATHERS AND BEE BOTS & ROBOLAB NOISY NEIGHBOURS Presented by Satrosphere Science Centre Presented by Glasgow Science Centre Presented by the Royal Society for the Bee Bots are programmable floor robots Your body is amazing! Test out its Protection of Birds (RSPB) Scotland designed to introduce children to control flexibility, strength and endurance and technology, directional language and find out how hard your heart and lungs RSPB Scotland explores the truth behind programming. In this workshop, everyone work plus how you can stay healthy, in the world of bird communication. will work to complete a series of this interactive workshop experience. From the show-off peacock to the challenges and activities. Robolab uses chorale nightingale, drop in to find out sophisticated Lego Mindstorms robot AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 why we think birds really are brainy and buggies and icon-led Robolab software how they use amazing ways to and provides us with the opportunity to communicate just like us and play our discover and explore control technology. brilliant Bowerbird game. SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 The public will be able to program the K’NEX ENGINEERING 4 ALL AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 robots to move and respond to light and touch sensors. Presented by TechFest-SetPoint AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 Drop in to discover the problems associated with constructing towers. Find SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 out more about the shapes and structures that engineers use to address FROZEN SCIENCE: LIFE AND SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 these problems. WORK AT POLAR EXTREMES SUSTAINABLE SOUNDS AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 Presented by the UK Polar Network Presented by Michael Freeman Immerse yourself in the Polar regions and Explore the world of sound and discover what it’s like to work and live in communication through musical sub-zero temperatures. The UK Polar SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 instruments created from recycled Network will bring you presentations, objects. By making and playing musical THE COSMIC DOME activities and equipment to demonstrate instruments from plastics, metals, the importance of science at the Poles. cardboard and other materials you’ll see Presented by TechFest-SetPoint Drop in and meet a team of scientists discarded objects as a resource rather from both the Arctic and Antarctic, and than waste. Enjoy a visit to the unique environment of hear plenty of stories to inspire you about the Cosmic Dome, TechFest-SetPoint’s the ends of the earth. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 mobile planetarium. Book into one of our shows to find out why we have day and AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 night, wonder at a sky full of stars and discover the constellations. SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 (6+) PLAYTALKREAD: THE BIG PURPLE BUS TIMED WORKSHOP - BOOK ON ARRIVAL SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 Presented by The Scottish Government THE SOLAR SPARK Come on board the PlayTalkRead bus Presented by the University of Edinburgh with your wee one and join in the fun! SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 There will be Bookbug sessions, play Make a ‘rainbow in a box’ and colour in activities and lots more for under threes. THE SECRET LIFE OF SNOT a Newton wheel to explore light and colour. Generate your own electricity AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 Presented by Isabel Crane, from batteries made of fruit, fizzy drinks University of Aberdeen and coins. Then see how light can be Snot, what’s it all about? Sometimes it’s used to make electricity by indulging in white and sometimes it’s green. If you solar cell powered car races! This fun want to know more about that bogie in and interactive workshop brings together your nose, then this is the place for you. the concepts of light, energy and Come crawl through our giant nose and electricity in a novel way which can be get up close to the green stuff itself by adapted to suit all age groups. making your own snot to take home. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 (6+)

33 FAMILY EVENTS Join us at the Beach Ballroom, Beach Leisure Centre and Satrosphere Science AT THE BEACH Centre for a range of fun activities.

Events taking place at Aberdeen Beach Leisure Centre 12

Cost: Individual day pass £5.00 Group of 4 day passes £18.00 Individual weekend pass £7.50 Group of 4 weekend passes £28.00 Under 3s are free

SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 THE ART OF EVOLUTION “CAR BOOT” SCIENCE CLINICAL SKILLS AND TEDDY BEAR HOSPITAL Presented by the Biochemical Society Presented by the University of Aberdeen and the Society of Biology and TechFest-SetPoint Find out how to fix broken bones and This exhibition stand illustrates Charles see some of the replacement joints that The “Car Boot” science team are are used to help people become mobile Darwin’s theory of evolution. Discover returning with an exciting and engaging different ideas about evolution and again. Why not bring your teddy bear take on the physics of the world around to the teddy bear hospital for a check creation and see a huge range of us. Come and see everyday objects be species found in nature. up, and watch the doctors in the used in a way you have never seen operating theatre as they help a AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 before. teddy bear get better. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2

SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 PLASTICS “R” FANTASTIC SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 Presented by the Sustainable ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS TODDLEFEST: WEATHER WATCHERS Communities Initiative Presented by Mr Bug A hands-on weather workshop for Have fun whilst being creative with Join presenter Mr Bug and bring your younger children looking at measuring, waste. Try your hand at transforming family face to face with small, friendly recording and identifying patterns in the used plastic drinks bottles into flowers, animals from around the world, book various forces of nature. Find out why the windmills, birdfeeders and rockets. into our informative show and meet weather changes with seasons, how to record weather and how the weather AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 cockroaches, snails, snakes and lizards and find out about their lives in the wild. affects you. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 (6+) AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 TIMED WORKSHOP - BOOK ON ARRIVAL SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 THE REAL SCIENCE OF THE CIRCUS Presented by James Soper Join James Soper, a professional circus performer, to see spectacular juggling and balancing tricks. Find out how forces work and combine when real circus performers show off their skills. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 TIMED SHOWS THROUGHOUT THE DAY. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS

34 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 TODDLEFEST: KID K’NEX DINOSAURS MADLAB GIFTED AND TALENTED PROGRAMME This workshop is designed to introduce Presented by Madlab Ltd Presented by Saudi Aramco younger children to the fascinating world of engineering design. Drop in to Discover the secrets of soldering and Saudi Aramco is a powerhouse of develop your construction skills and build make your own working electronic technology innovation, supporting the up your creative confidence. gadget. Kingdom’s Gifted and Talented Programme. Over the family weekend, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 KITS FROM £3 four teenage students from the Programme will showcase their inventions and discuss what science means to them – with the aim of inspiring other young people. SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 GREEN SCREEN INVESTIGATING INKS AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 Presented by the Robert Gordon Presented by TechFest-SetPoint University, School of Computing In this CREST Star Investigators workshop, SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 Use computer generated imagery (CGI) help the detectives to match the ink to transport yourself to another world. from the ransom note to one of the ENGINEER’N’ OUR LIVES suspects’ pens. Learn how Past, present, future or extraterrestrial. Presented by Live Wire Productions Where will your imagination and our chromatography can be used to technology take you? separate and identify all sorts of Did you know that by playing with bricks, substances. Be Sherlock Holmes and use learning to draw, making models, solving AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 your investigative skills to solve the crime. problems and measuring, children are AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 KITS FROM £3 learning some of the same skills that engineers need to build our homes and roads, to grow our food, make our clothes and everything else we need to SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 live? Come and work with some of these ON A ROLL: MARBLE SCIENCE SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 engineers and discover who these people are and why they are the Presented by Shell Education Service POWERING THE FUTURE engineers in our lives. Take part in activities themed around Presented by Robert Gordon University, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 investigating marbles, helping to School of Engineering develop investigative skills. Participate in investigations to find out more about With growing populations and floating, sinking, friction and movement, diminishing supplies of fossil fuels, the Satrosphere Science Centre and three different problem-solving energy supplies used by our communities in the future will be much more varied. activities involving topics such as MON 3 – SUN 9 SEP separation techniques, friction Come and learn about different and structures. renewable energy sources through a SHELL: ENERGY range of hands-on activities. 11 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 Presented by Shell at Satrosphere AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 You can’t see it or touch it… but you can play with it as you’ll discover with Shell at Satrosphere. Find out how Shell is working SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 09.30 – 16.30 to ensure a better future. Come and find Wristbands on sale at the out how much energy you can create by GIANT PANTOGRAPH dancing. Change gas into a liquid and Beach Ballroom, Beach use it to power a car. Get involved in Presented by Nick Sayers Leisure Centre and energy challenges and competitions and Pairs of participants are invited to lie win some cool prizes. We look forward to down while their partner traces around Satrosphere Science Centre. seeing you there – full of energy. them with a two metres long AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 pantograph drawing machine. Through the magic of maths and mechanics, their outline is scaled down to one sixth size and drawn onto a sheet of paper. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2

35 TRIPS AND Get out and about with our programme of excursions TOURS and walking tours.

Simulation training in oil and gas industry Ten KM under the sea: Oceanlab Scotlands molten forts: Discovering the prehistory of Aberdeen TUES 4 SEP WED 5 SEP

TUES 4 SEP, 13.15 - 16.45 WED 5 SEP, 09.30 - 17.30 WED 5 SEP 10.00, 14.00 AND 18.00 AND MACKIES OF ROTHIENORMAN TEN KM UNDER THE SEA: OCEANLAB SAT 8 SEP 10.00, 14.00 AND 16.00 DISCOVER MORE, RECOVER MORE: The Mackie family have been farming at Take a tour around the University of Westertown since the turn of the century Aberdeen’s OceanLab, the world’s first UNEARTHING THE SECRETS OF THE formerly as a milk retail company but purpose built oceanlander laboratory, OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY now ice cream is currently the main providing state of the art equipment How does a company like BP find and focus of the business employing 70 staff which allows scientists to explore the produce oil and gas from rocks deep and producing over 10 million litres of deep ocean. Hear from scientists beneath the North Sea. Find out what it’s luxury ice cream per year. During your conducting cutting-edge research from like to live on a platform in the middle of trip you will be able to walk through the around the world and celebrate marine the world’s most hostile environment. byre, see how robotic milking operates, science with tours, demonstrations and See some of the technology used to visit the calf shed with its calves of one short presentations on topics including keep the oil and gas flowing. On this 90 day to six months old and take a turn the open ocean and life in the deepest minute tour of the BP North Sea round the feed shed before visiting the places on Earth. byre office for a treat. Headquarters you will visit our Highly Venue: Coach pick up point, Immersive Visual Environment, talk to a Venue: Coach pick up point, University of Aberdeen University of Aberdeen real control room offshore and meet Organised by: Marinelab and Oceanlab, some of our experts. Organised by: University of Aberdeen, University of Aberdeen Mackies of Rothienorman and Venue: BP North Sea HQ, Wellheads Pam Wells Ltd AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00 Avenue, Dyce, AB21 7PM A limited number of places are available AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00 and pre-booking is essential. For tickets email [email protected] WED 5 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00, 13.00 - 15.00, stating the date and time of the session 15.30 - 17.30 you wish to attend and how many tickets you require. Closing date for tickets: 23rd SIMULATION TRAINING IN OIL August 2012. Successful applicants will be AND GAS INDUSTRY required to register and provide personal information including full name, home Take a tour of Aberdeen College and address, date of birth, etc in advance. ASET’s world-leading, fully functioning oil and gas platform which replicates an Organised by: BP offshore platform in a safe environment by AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE pumping water and air. The plant is equipped with the latest control room technology. See the plant in action and Booking Line: find out the career opportunities available in the oil and gas production industry. 08456 807 207 Venue: Coach pick up point, Don’t miss the bus! or visit University of Aberdeen Please arrive 15 Organised by: ASET International Oil and www.britishsciencefestival.org Gas Training Academy and Aberdeen minutes before start You can book in person at Aberdeen College times at pick up point Box Office, Music Hall. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 £5.00

36 TRIPS AND For more information and to book visit TOURS www.britishsciencefestival.org

THURS 6 SEP FRI 7 SEP SAT 8 SEP

THURS 6 SEP, 13.00 - 18.00 FRI 7 SEP, 08.45 -17.00 SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 12.00 SCOTLAND’S MOLTEN FORTS: RENEWABLE ENERGY: PAST, SENSE-WALKING DISCOVERING THE PREHISTORY PRESENT AND FUTURE IN Our senses help most of us navigate the OF ABERDEENSHIRE NORTH-EAST SCOTLAND world but we rarely think about the environmental clues they provide. Begin Never mind bricks and mortar, some Join us on a discussion tour of locations in this session indoors, discussing how we ancient inhabitants of Scotland built North-East Scotland used for renewable perceive landscape, seascape and stone ramparts and set fire to energy, past, present and future. Hear weather through different senses. Walk to surrounding timbers, producing a solid about community and farmer-led Aberdeen beach, talking about what wall. On this field trip, visit a fine example developments of wind energy in Udny we see, hear, touch and smell, of such a ‘vitrified’ hillfort, Dunnideer in and Auchnagatt and the use of micro- considering how our view of the world Aberdeenshire, and discover how and hydro and biomass at Haddo House. We alters in the open air. why it was constructed. Also visit other will also stop on the coast to discuss nearby prehistoric monuments and opportunities for marine renewables. Venue: Seminar room 707, New Library, consider how the landscape developed Lunch and refreshments provided. University of Aberdeen 1 over time. Venue: Coach pick up point, Organised by: University of Aberdeen, Venue: Coach pick up point, University of Aberdeen Anthropology and Archaeology Section, British Science Association University of Aberdeen Organised by: The James Hutton Institute AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00 Organised by: Anthropology and Supported by: RESAS Archaeology Section, British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 £5.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00

FRI 7 SEP, 10.00 - 12.30 ABERDEEN HARBOUR Aberdeen Harbour is the marine support centre for the energy sector in the North Sea and the Atlantic margin and is also the principal commercial port serving the North of Scotland. Take a coach tour of the harbour and see first-hand the port’s many activities and the on-going Aberdeen harbour development of new facilities. Visit the port’s Marine Operations Centre where you can pilot a vessel into and around SAT 8 SEP, 11.00 - 13.00 the port using the ship’s bridge simulator. BLOOD, BRAINS, BABIES AND OIL: Venue: Coach pick up point, University MEDICINE IN ABERDEEN of Aberdeen Coach pick up point Explore Aberdeen’s rich medical history, Organised by: University of Aberdeen, and some of the city’s hidden stories of shown on the map Aberdeen Harbour Board and death and disease, in the company of on p48 Pam Wells Ltd Wellcome Trust Engagement Fellow and AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00 medical historian Richard Barnett. This walk will also be available to download as a free smartphone app. Audience Level: Venue: Meet at the New Library, 4 – Adults with some 1 1 – Families University of Aberdeen knowledge Organised by: Medical Sciences Section, 2 – Everyone of the topic British Science Association 3 – All adults 5 – Professionals AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00

Supported by /BritishScienceFestival #BSF2012

37 TRIPS AND For more information and to book visit TOURS www.britishsciencefestival.org

Whisky on the rocks Exploring forests with new eyes The northern past: Bloody Bennachie

SAT 8 SEP SUN 9 SEP

SAT 8 SEP, 12.00 - 18.00 SUN 9 SEP, 08.00 - 17.30 SUN 9 SEP, 13.00 - 17.30 WHISKY ON THE ROCKS CROMARTY LIGHTHOUSE THE NORTHERN PAST: Water of life, more commonly known FIELD STATION TOUR BLOODY BENNACHIE as whisky, relies on a complicated Take a trip on the Moray Firth to see local Is Bennachie the site of Mons Graupius, production process to define its flavour. marine wildlife and hear how scientists one of the Roman conquests of the This trip will combine visits to local and artists have collaborated to North’s largest and bloodiest conflicts? geological sites with a trip to a distillery promote the understanding of marine Nearly two thousand years later, what to explore the role geology plays. Our research. After the boat trip, take a tour caused the tension between the crofter guide, geologist Steve Cribb, is a Blue of the Lighthouse Field Station where colonists and landowners? On this field Badge member of the Scottish Tourist Paul Thompson will tell you all about the trip, explore how the University of Guides Association, and has been marine research undertaken by the Aberdeen’s Bennachie Community sharing the delights of Scottish life and University of Aberdeen. Artists Mark Lyken Archaeology project reveals 19th landscape with visitors for over 30 years. and Stephen Hurrel present new artwork century, medieval, Roman and even Venue: Coach pick up point, supported by Creative Scotland. prehistoric use of this mountain University of Aberdeen Venue: Coach pick up point, University of landscape. Organised by: Geology Section, British Aberdeen Venue: Coach pick up point, Science Association and Pam Wells Ltd. Organised by: Lighthouse Field Station, University of Aberdeen AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £10 (INCLUDES WHISKY TASTING) University of Aberdeen and Pam Wells Ltd Organised by: University of Aberdeen and AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £25.00 Anthropology and Archaeology Section, British Science Association

SAT 8 SEP, 13.00 - 18.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00 EXPLORING FORESTS WITH NEW EYES Join us on a guided walk through Tyrebagger Forest on the edge of Aberdeen, where creativity and ecology merge. View the public art works with @BritishSciFest Booking Line: the artists who contributed to them, and see how artists and anthropologists are 08456 807 207 working alongside each other to explore why forests make such inspiring /BritishScienceFestival or visit landscapes. www.britishsciencefestival.org Venue: Coach pick up point, You can book in person at Aberdeen Don’t miss the bus! University of Aberdeen Box Office, Music Hall. Organised by: University of Aberdeen and Please arrive 15 Anthropology and Archaeology Section, minutes before start British Science Association times at pick up point Supported by AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £5.00

38 ABERDEENSHIRE See what’s happening outside of AND BEYOND Aberdeen and across Scotland.

Bubbles and balloons Wish you were here? Searching for exoplanets Sharking around at Macduff Marine Aquarium

TUES 4 SEP FRI 7 SEP SAT 8 SEP

TUES 4 SEP, 19.00 - 21.00 FRI 7 SEP, 18.30 - 21.30 SAT 8 SEP, 11.00 - 17.00 SMARTER PHONES ENABLING A FUTURE OF FOOD SHARKING AROUND SMARTER COUNTRYSIDE? Join nutritionist Alexandra Johnstone and AT MACDUFF AQUARIUM head chef John McInnes for an Visit Macduff Marine Aquarium to get The current generation of smartphones entertaining evening of eating and up close to some fishy friends from the combine incredible computing power conversation on the future of food. Find with sophisticated sensors in a lightweight out what makes a sustainable diet, Moray Firth. A fish feeding show at 14.00 package. What does this mean for rural where our food comes from and how we will be followed by a guest talk from communities? See demonstrations of can use novel ingredients to produce Les Noble at 15.00. Learn all about white how these technologies can deliver healthy and tasty meals. Following a sharks in the Mediterranean, where they innovative new services and hear Chris cookery demonstration, a three-course come from, how they got there, and Burnett discuss work the University of dinner gives you the chance to how endangered they are. Aberdeen’s dot.rural and TRUMP Digital exchange ideas and have lively Venue: Macduff Marine Aquarium, Economy are doing. Explore how smart discussion. phones may enable a smarter AB44 1SL countryside in realms as diverse as Venue: Baxters of Fochabers, IV32 7LD Organised by: University of Aberdeen culture, conservation, enterprise, Organised by: Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Macduff Marine Aquarium health and transport. and Health and Baxters of Fochabers AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £2.45 - £4.75 Venue: Woodend Barn, Banchory, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £15.00 RECEIVE THIS DISCOUNT BY PRE-BOOKING Aberdeenshire, AB31 5QA ON 01261 833369. Organised by: dot.rural Digital Economy Research Hub, University of Aberdeen FRI 7 SEP, 19.00 - 20.00 SAT 8 SEP, 18.00 – 19.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £3.00 SECRET LIFE OF THE SKELETON BUBBLES AND BALLOONS The skeleton is a remarkable structure, Explore the best bits about bubbles and WED 5 SEP extremely light yet able to support our balloons. See page 30. weight and continuously repair itself. Venue: Mearns Community Centre, See page 29. WED 5 SEP, 19.00 - 21.00 Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, AB30 1BL Venue: Acorn Centre, Inverurie, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (3-11) £3.00 WISH YOU WERE HERE? Aberdeenshire, AB51 3SA SEARCHING FOR EXOPLANETS Organised by: Bone and Musculoskeletal See two short, engaging documentary Group, University of Aberdeen SUN 9 SEP films. Followed by star gazing (weather AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (7+) £3.00 permitting). See page 14. SUN 9 SEP, 18.00 - 19.00 Venue: Woodend Barn, Banchory, IZZY’S INCREDIBLE ADVENTURE Aberdeenshire, AB31 5QA Can you help Izzy on her incredible Organised by: Royal Observatory adventure? See page 31. Edinburgh, University of St Andrews and University of Edinburgh Venue: Victoria Hall, Ellon, AB41 9AY Supported by: STFC Organised by: science made simple AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 £3.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 (3 - 7) £3.00

39 ABERDEENSHIRE For more information and to book visit AND BEYOND www.britishsciencefestival.org

EVENTS AROUND SCOTLAND ORGANISED BY BRITISH SCIENCE ASSOCIATION BRANCHES ENTS AR

20 AUG - 29 SEP, MON - FRI WED 5 SEP, 11.00 - 16.00 SAT 8 SEP 10.00 - 18.00, SAT 9.30 - 17.00 ALL AT SEA KNEX AND LEGO MINDSTORMS EXHIBITION - DUNDEE AND SCIENCE: Ever since we first set sail on the high PROGRAMMING DAY THEN AND NOW (1912-2012) seas, the challenges of communicating Spend the day making programmable over the vast expanses of water have In September 1912 Dundee hosted a models from Lego and KNex. produced some innovative and brilliant meeting of the world’s greatest scientific solutions. From semaphore to satellites, Venue: Castlehill Heritage Centre, minds, the Annual Meeting of the British and radio to radar, find out how KW14 8TG Association for the Advancement of technology revolutionised life on the Science. This exhibition showcases the Organised by: Caithness Branch, ocean waves. history of Dundee in 1912, and asks what British Science Association has changed after a century of city life Venue: Museum of Communication, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 FREE and scientific advancement. You can 131 High Street, Burntisland, Fife, KY3 9AA meet scientists in the exhibition from FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT Organised by: Museum of 11.00 - 16.00 on Saturday 1 Sep. WWW.CAITHNESS-SCIENCE.ORG Communication and British Science Venue: Dundee Central Library, The Association Edinburgh & SE Scotland Wellgate, Dundee, DD1 1DB Branch Organised by: Tayside and Fife Branch, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 MON 10 SEP, 19.30 - 21.30 British Science Association CLIMATE CHANGE: AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE THE GREAT DEBATE FRI 7 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 T: 01382 431500 The Earth’s climate is changing, but are FROM SEEING TO BEING we the cause? The arguments have been fierce. Two speakers from each What makes us human? This question WED 5 SEP 18.30 – 21.30 side debate, with lawyers cross- has always challenged philosophers examining them under the watchful eye DUNDEE AND SCIENCE: THEN AND and scientists. All aspects of our person- of a jury, with a final vote to come from alities are determined by a range of the audience as well. NOW (1912-2012) factors including our biology and the How has science changed over the world we grow up in. Join us to explore Venue: King Street Halls, Kirkwall, KW15 1JF past century? Do we still think the same what makes you, you. Organised by: Kirkwall Moray and things or has each idea been Venue: University of St Andrews, KY16 9AJ Highlands Branch, British Science dismissed? Join us for an evening of Association, Drever and Heddle and entertaining short talks where local Organised by: St Andrew’s Branch, Stromness Debating Society scientists will compare and contrast the British Science Association AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 £4.00, CONC. £2 science of 1912 and 2012. Marvel as AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 some of the scientists seem to have SEE WWW.OISF.ORG FOR MORE DETAILS predicted the future whilst others got it BOOKING NOT REQUIRED BUT QUERIES AND BOOKING. hopelessly wrong! SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO PAUL GARDNER, [email protected] Venue: D'Arcy Thompson Lecture Theatre, Tower Building, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN Organised by: Tayside and Fife Branch, British Science Association BOOKING INFORMATION: FREE, NO BOOKING REQUIRED

Audience Level: Visit britishscience 4 – Adults with some association.org/regions 1 – Families knowledge to find out how you 2 – Everyone of the topic can get involved in 3 – All adults 5 – Professionals your local branch

40 DROP-IN There’s an array of exhibitions around ACTIVITIES AND Aberdeen that you can EXHIBITIONS drop into at your leisure.

Food stories Day at the Zoology Museum and Cruickshank Gardens

SAT 25 AUG - SUN 16 SEP, MON - FRI TUES 4 SEP – SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - CLOSE TUES 4 SEP - SUN 14 OCT, 10.00 - 17.00 11.00 - 16.00 AND SAT - SUN 10.00 - 16.00 SHAPING THE FUTURE INTUITION AND INGENUITY: FABRIC OF THE LAND See our exciting poster display CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF A series of exhibitions exploring links showcasing different areas of research ALAN TURING between art and science brought to you undertaken at the University of by the Geology and Petroleum Geology Aberdeen. Topics range from marine Art meets the computer in this Department at the University of science to depression and global trade celebration of Alan Turing. Turing Aberdeen. to high risk surgery. This special poster invented the digital computer, helped to decode the Enigma machine and Venue: Meston Building, Lab 118, display has been created to present various University research projects and founded the science of artificial University of Aberdeen 3 has been specially designed for the intelligence. This exhibition explores the Organised by: We Are Smart Consultants British Science Festival 2012. enduring influence of Turing on art and and Geology Department, University of contemporary culture, featuring a group Aberdeen Venue: Elphinstone Hall, University of of outstanding British artists whose work Aberdeen 5 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE responds directly to Turing’s life and work. Organised by: University of Aberdeen Venue: Georgina Scott Sutherland Library, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Robert Gordon University, Garthdee Campus, Aberdeen, AB10 7QE SAT 1 SEP – SAT 10 NOV, MON – THURS, Organised by: Robert Gordon University 10.00 – 19.00; FRI & SAT, 10.00 – 17.00; AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE SUN, 12.00 – 16.00 TUES 4 SEP – SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 17.00 PHARMACOPOEIA TREASURE TRAIL: Discover rare and fascinating AU’S HIDDEN GEMS TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 - 19.30, manuscripts and archives that Take your brain off the beaten track WED 5 SEP - SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 demonstrate some of the earliest and have some fun with the AU Science recorded understanding of the natural Magazine team. Explore hidden FOOD STORIES sciences – a history of health. Illustrated Aberdeen, and find out about past and This exhibition explores what we eat and annotated, the documents explore present science and scientists from and why. Objects from the University the study of the medicinal qualities of Aberdeen. The trail runs throughout Museums tell fascinating stories about plants in the treatment of disease, August as well as during the Festival, the different ways in which people making links with the contemporary when we will announce the winner. Fun across the world obtain, prepare and scientific research and practice. for all the family. You can complete the eat their food, showing the cultural and Venue: Gallery, New Library, trail in one go, or over a period of time. environmental issues which shape our University of Aberdeen 1 Venue: Aberdeen City Centre. Get started food choices. Food stories is a treat for Organised by: University of Aberdeen by picking up clues from the Belmont the senses with a soundscape and scent jars adding to the visual feast. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Cinema 6 Venue: King’s Museum, 17 High Street, Organised by: British Science Association Old Aberdeen, AB24 3EE Aberdeen Branch and AU Magazine Team Organised by: University of Aberdeen Museums and the Rowett Institute of AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Nutrition and Health Supported by: The Nutrition Society AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

41 DROP-IN There’s an array of exhibitions ACTIVITIES AND around Aberdeen that you can EXHIBITIONS drop into at your leisure.

TUES 4 SEP - SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 TUE 4 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 MEET THE BRITISH SCIENCE I HEARD IT ON THE GRAPEVINE: THE FROM FERROFLUID TO FLUBBER: ASSOCIATION SOCIAL EVOLUTION OF INFORMATION PHYSICAL ATTRACTION IN THE Why not drop by and visit the British We learn much of the knowledge we LIQUID STATE Science Association stand. Meet our staff have from other people and in turn pass Come and explore the mysterious and and volunteers who will be sharing their on this information to others. This beautiful worlds of liquid crystals, passion for science with you. Find out exhibition explores what happens to magnetic fluids, liquid body armour, ionic how to get involved in local science knowledge as it is passed from the mind liquids and find out how to make of one person to the mind of another events, get free education resources elephant’s toothpaste. and have some sciencey fun. person. Does it stay the same? Does it change? If it changes, can we predict Venue: New Library, University of Venue: New Library, University of how it changes? Aberdeen 1 Aberdeen 1 Organised by: Chemistry Section. Organised by: British Science Association Venue: New Library, University of British Science Association Aberdeen 1 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Chemical Physics Section, Organised by: Person Perception Lab, Supported by: University of Aberdeen Imperial College London and D30 lab Sponsored by: EU (FP7) and EPSRC AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE TUES 4 SEP - SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 3 FREE DISCOVER MORE, RECOVER MORE: THE APPLICATION OF SCIENCE IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY TUES 4 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 ENERGISING THE PUBLIC: WED 5 SEP AND THURS 6 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 The oil and gas industry relies on the HOW ENERGY SHOULD BE SUPPLIED application of maths, science and PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE engineering on a daily basis. Come AND USED IN THE FUTURE OBSERVATORY along to this interactive exhibition to find Energy issues are increasingly front-page out more about how we apply science news and have huge impacts on our Experience cutting-edge psychological and technology to help us discover and lives. This interactive exhibition research. View demonstrations and produce oil and gas efficiently for the encourages you to think about critical experience psychological effects. It’s needs of today’s society. social and environmental issues your chance to take part in some Venue: Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, associated with how energy is and contemporary psychological studies. AB10 1SQ 8 should be supplied and used. Featuring Venue: New Library, University of a dynamic web-tool to allow you to Aberdeen 1 Organised by: BP make decisions about how to meet our Organised by: Psychology Section, AUDIENCE LEVEL: 4 FREE energy needs for 2050 while also British Science Association and University reaching 80% CO2 reduction targets. You of Glasgow can watch vox pops videos and see Supported by: British Psychological Society posters showing research findings on how TUE 4 SEP – FRI 7 SEP 10.00 – 17.30 we use and understand energy. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE SCIENCE ON A PLATE Venue: New Library, University of Aberdeen 1 Do you know where the food on your Organised by: Cardiff University plate comes from? Or who was involved in producing it? What is good for you AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE and what isn’t? Find out about our food and science from six of Scotland’s leading research institutes at the science on a plate interactive market stalls. Venue: The Academy Shopping Centre, Schoolhill, Aberdeen, AB10 1LB 13 Organised by: Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh Audience Level: Supported by: James Hutton Institute, 4 – Adults with some Marine Scotland, Moredun Research 1 – Families Institute, Rowett Institute of Nutrition and knowledge Health and the SAC 2 – Everyone of the topic Sponsored by: The Scottish Government 3 – All adults 5 – Professionals AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

42 For more information and to book visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

THURS 6 SEP 10.30 - 15.00 FRI 7 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 – 16.00 FRI 7 SEP 10.30 - 16.30 (SOME BUILDINGS OPEN SAT 8 SEP, 10.30 - 15.00 THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS OF MRI FOR TOURS ONLY) STRICTLY ENGINEERING This is your chance for a rare insight into DOORS OPEN DAY MRI, from the underlying physics to Strictly Engineering is a poster exhibition measuring functional brain activity and Doors Open Day is Scotland's largest to spark conversations about how imaging the digestive tract. Get hands- architectural event co-ordinated by the engineering affects our lives and on and learn how to use MRI as an Scottish Civic Trust. The event allows celebrates the world-class engineering investigative tool, have a go at access to hundreds of buildings across going on in the UK. Meet interesting functional tasks and read scans. Come Scotland which are normally closed to engineers and have a chat about their along and learn all about MRI from a the public. The full programme is work and what it means to you. Nobel Prize-winning department. available from August. Don’t forget to vote for the one you Venue: New Library, University of Venue: Various venues liked the most! Aberdeen 1 Organised by: Aberdeen Doors Venue: Elphinstone Hall, University of Organised by: The Sir Peter Mansfield Open Day Committee Aberdeen 5 Magnetic Resonance Centre, The AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE University of Nottingham Organised by: British Science Association VISIT WWW.ABERDEENCITY.GOV.UK AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Supported by: Royal Academy of Engineering SAT 8 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 AND AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE SUN 9 SEP, 13.00 - 14.00 SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 17.00 DAY AT THE ZOOLOGY MUSEUM AND GIGANTIC BUBBLE RECORD ATTEMPT FRI 7 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 CRUICKSHANK GARDENS Using a pair of fishing rods and a long Drop in to the Zoology Building for a SEEING IS BELIEVING loop of string, we will attempt to make a range of fun and interactive activities soap film and let the wind draw it out An interactive exhibition aimed at those including demonstrations on DNA and into a large spherical bubble. We’re with little or no active experience of protein, come and see our soil market aiming for a Scottish record but if investigatory science. Based on Hugh stalls in the Cruickshank Gardens and visit conditions are just right, the world record Miller’s advice to learn to make the right Aberdeen City Council’s Waste Aware (a 4000 cubic feet bubble) is possible. use of your eyes, this is a fun exhibition Bus to explore the science behind our You will have the chance to make about art and the power of observation. everyday waste. There will be many bubbles with similar equipment. There are puzzling things to see and more exciting workshops for all ages. practical things to do. Venue: Outside Aberdeen Arts Centre 3 Venue: Cruickshank Gardens and Zoology Venue: New Library, University of Organised by: Bubblestrings Building, University of Aberdeen 13 Aberdeen 1 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Organised by: University of Aberdeen Organised by: National Trust for Scotland (Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage and AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 Museum)

AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE

@BritishSciFest No need to book for drop-in activities and exhibitions /BritishScienceFestival

43 DROP-IN For more information ACTIVITIES AND and to book visit EXHIBITIONS www.britishsciencefestival.org

SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 SAT 8 SEP AND SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 SAT 8 SEP AND SUN 9 SEP 10.00 - 16.00 DNA: DEAD OR ALIVE CULTURE EVOLVES DONATE YOUR FACE TO SCIENCE Come and see our exciting interactive Does culture separate humans from the We are collecting 3D images for a new exhibit on DNA. From its application in rest of nature? No! Discover the roots of database of faces, for use in scientific medicine and nutrition to its use in culture in apes, meerkats and other research. We would like as wide a variety forensic science, you can take part in animals, and how cultures evolve. Try of faces as possible, so please come quizzes and laboratory workshops to gain learning a chimp tradition, build along and we’ll give you a copy of your a better understanding of this wonderful ‘spaghetti towers’ or shape a new image to take away. It takes about ten molecule. Recover and extract DNA language. This hands-on exhibit was minutes. from fruits to forensic evidence. selected for the Royal Society’s Summer Venue: New Library, University Exhibition, showcasing cutting-edge Venue: Robert Gordon University, of Aberdeen 1 science for audiences of all ages. St. Andrew Street, AB25 1HG 9 Organised by: University of Stirling Venue: New Library, University Organised by: School of Pharmacy and of Aberdeen 1 Supported by: Dimensional Imaging Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University Organised by: University of St Andrews and AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Universities of Edinburgh, Stirling and Cambridge AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 FAT BODY SLIM: SHAPE MATTERS THE FACIAL IMITATION TEST: ARE YOU A GOOD MIMIC? What shape are you and why does it SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 matter? Join us to discover more about VISION VIBES Sit in front of a computer screen and the work of a scientist and explore the imitate the facial expressions you see, Although visual experience seems unitary link between obesity and chronic health whilst a web-cam takes your photo. and coherent, it is actually based on problems like heart disease, cancer and This isn’t as easy as it sounds as many discrete sensations of lightness, colour, diabetes. Discover more about body expressions are similar. Drop in and see motion and depth. Furthermore, our shape and body fat in our interactive how good a mimic you are. actions and whole-body experience quiz and try on a fat suit. influence what we see. If you are Venue: New Library, University Venue: Robert Gordon University, interested in perception, come to this of Aberdeen 1 St. Andrew Street, AB25 1HG 9 exhibition to see how vision works across Organised by: University of Aberdeen Organised by: Robert Gordon University contexts - from purely sensory-driven and and University of St. Andrews and Northumbria University static, to active and multisensory. AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Venue: New Library, University of Aberdeen 1 Organised by: EPCC, University of Edinburgh SUN 9 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 SAT 8 SEP, 10.00 - 16.00 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE SUPERCOMPUTING AND YOU CLUSTER: AURORA EXPLORER What makes a supercomputer super? Earth is protected from solar radiation by Discover how HECToR, Britain’s largest its magnetic field, which interacts with SAT 8 AND SUN 9 SEP, 11.00 – 15.00 computer differs from your laptop. Explore how it is used in topics such as the Sun’s magnetic field. This interaction A DIFFERENT KIND OF causes the aurora, or Northern Lights. climate, molecules, dinosaurs and Learn how UK instruments on ESA’s SHOPPING EXPERIENCE medicine. Interact with a chemistry Cluster spacecraft are helping us simulation running on HECToR and learn How about some science while you the principles of parallel computing. understand the aurora, see artificial shop? Aberdeen’s most popular aurora in our planeterrella and see how shopping areas, the Bon Accord Centre Venue: New Library, University electric currents flowing in space help and Union Square will host a number of of Aberdeen 1 shape our magnetic shield. scientific activities for the whole family. Organised by: EPCC, University of Venue: King’s College Conference Centre, Hot–foot it down to Aberdeen city Edinburgh University of Aberdeen 6 centre, where you will have your mind boggled by brilliant science buskers and AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE Organised by: UCL and Imperial College experience a range of exciting, hands London, University of Leicester, Lancaster on experiments. University and RAL Space Venue: Bon Accord Centre AB10 1JX 7 AUDIENCE LEVEL: 2 FREE and Union Square AB11 5RG AUDIENCE LEVEL: 1 FREE

44 For terms and conditions, please visit www.britishsciencefestival.org

45 AFFILIATES Affiliates of the British Science Association are a national network of organisations that share our vision of advancing the public understanding, accessibility and accountability of the sciences and engineering. Current Affiliates include: Academy of Medical Sciences Jaguar Land Rover Science Museum Anglia Ruskin University John Innes Centre Selex Sensors & Airborne Systems Ltd Arts and Humanities Keele University Society for General Microbiology Research Council London Mathematical Society Society of Biology Aston University Loughborough University TechFest-SetPoint Biochemical Society Marine Biological Association Thinktank (Birmingham Science Biotechnology and Biological of the UK Museum) Sciences Research Council Medical Research Council UK Resource Centre for Women in SET BP International Ltd National Museums Scotland University College London British Psychological Society Natural Environment Research University of Aberdeen British Society for Immunology Council University of Abertay Dundee British Sociological Association Natural History Museum University of Bath Cancer Research UK NESTA University of Birmingham Cardiff University Nutrition Society University of Brighton Centre for Life Open University University of Cambridge Department for Business, Our Dynamic Earth University of Durham Innovation & Skills Oxford Trust University of Huddersfield Economic and Social People Science & Policy University of Leeds Research Council Physiological Society University of Leicester Edinburgh Napier University Prospect University of Liverpool Einstein’s Entertainers Research Councils UK University of Newcastle Engineering and Physical Robert Gordon University University of Portsmouth Sciences Research Council Royal Academy of Engineering University of Reading Geological Society Royal Astronomical Society University of Salford Gizmos Lab Royal Holloway, University of London University of Surrey Goodrich Royal Society of Chemistry University of Westminster Graphic Science Saudi Aramco University of York Immersive Theatres Science and Technology Wellcome Trust Institution of Chemical Engineers Facilities Council

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ABERDEEN CITY VENUES

The Illicit Still, Broad Street, AB10 1AU 1 Bon Accord Shopping Centre Beach Ballroom and Leisure Centre, AB10 1JX 7 Beach Promenade, AB24 5NR The Tunnels, Carnegie's Brae, (NOT ON MAP - 25 min walk from city centre) 12 8 Aberdeen, AB10 1BF 2 Cowdray Hall, Schoolhill, AB10 1SQ Robert Gordon University, St Andrew The Academy Shopping Centre, 13 Aberdeen Arts Centre, Street, AB25 1HG 9 Schoolhill, AB10 1LB 33 King's Street, AB24 5AA 3 Robert Gordon's College, The Music Hall, Union Street, 14 Aberdeen College Planetarium, Schoolhill, AB10 1FE 10 AB10 1QS Gallowgate, AB25 1BN (NOT ON MAP) 4 Satrosphere Science Centre Waterstones Book Store, Union 15 Aberdeen Maritime Museum, 179 Constitution Street, AB24 5TU Bridge, AB11 6BG Shiprow, AB11 5BY 5 (NOT ON MAP - 25 min walk from city centre) 11 University of Aberdeen, AB24 3FX Belmont Cinema, Belmont Street, (NOT ON MAP - 25 min walk from city centre) 16 Aberdeen, AB10 1JS 6

49 9.30 10.00 10.30 11.00 11.30 12.00 12.30 13.00 13.30 14.00 14.30 15.00 15.30 16.00 16.30 17.00 17.30 18.00 18.30 19.00 19.30 20.00 20.30 21.00 21.30 22.00 22.30 23.00

New platform transforms From bench to market P5 Energising minds P6 The search for black gold P4 Great ideas of biology P24 Sci-screen: Running free from locked-in syndrome P24 North Sea’s future P4 Dissections uncut P5 Omega3 brain food P5 Noah’s Ark for the 21st Century P6 How the body shapes the mind P4 The x-change P5 The future of our Polar regions P6 Chemistry Section mixer P24 Festival of the Spoken Nerd P24 New medicines from nature P4 Natural gas revolution P5 Sperm warfare P6 Genes and health P5 Cows and cars P5 Ancient insects P5 Café Controversial P24 Sections Reception P24

GLANCE Making sense P4 Mackies of Rothienorman P36 TUESDAY 4 TUESDAY TUESDAY 4 TUESDAY Science of fireworks P29 Smarter phones enabling a smarter countryside? P39 Meet the expert training P21

Food addiction: Fact or fiction P7 The limit of oil and gas P7 Space weather P9 Energy, past present and future P7 AT A Isambard Kingdom Your life story in our hands P8 The x-change P5 Conversations between humans and non humans P9 Brunel Award Lecture P8 Performance science in olympic sport P9 50 Our fossil-fuelled future P7 Fishy figures P8 Quantum gravity to Forensic chemistry P7 Scotland’s mapping P8 quantum engineering P9 Are we alone and when will we know? P25 The 21st century mind P25 Parasites and me P8 May the force be with us P8 Bright club P25 A world first for offshore P8 Science heritage day P7 Behind the scenes Murder, mysteries and microscopes P25 Simulation training in oil The Scottish 10 P9 with Michael Mosley P25 Simulation training in oil and gas industry P36 and gas industry P36 Chemistry Section dinner P25 Discover more P36 Discover more P36 Simulation training in oil and gas industry P36 Discover more P36 WEDNESDAY 5 WEDNESDAY WEDNESDAY 5 WEDNESDAY 10 km under the sea: Ocean Lab P36 The secret life of Wish you were here? P39 Dark sky and deep space P21 the skeleton P29

I’d go outdoors if I could P10 Joseph Lister The next war will be fought over water P11 Titanic Engineering P12 The Quantum Universe P26 Festival dinner P26 The holy grail of dieting P11 Award Lecture P11 In the blink of an eye P11 Microbes in lenses P10 Uncovering the secrets of the LHC P11 Active learning in science P12 Brain of Aberdeen P27 Can solar energy Heat beneath our feet P10 All at sea P11 The Presidential Address: Bubbles, beyond the bath P12 save the world P10 The x-change P5 Doing the right thing P26 Discovery dinner P26 Developing science Leveraging the full UK science P12 talent P11 power of innovation P10 Scotland’s energy future P10 Blowing the Mind in the Media P26 THURSDAY 6 THURSDAY THURSDAY 6 THURSDAY Scotlands molten forts: discovering the prehistory of Aberdeenshire P37 Superhero science P29 Trust and the digital economy P21 Rocket Lolly P27

Myth busters: What's in your gut? P14 Open Forum P14 Dating, mating and relating P27 An audience Bread, brie and booze P15 Cannabis: Weeding out highs and lows P14 Isaac Newton and with Bill Bryson P27 Life down below P13 Charles Lyell Helping the developing world P14 The real doomsday 2012 P15 sensorium of God P27 The science of cocktails P27 Award Lecture P14 Rig lives P13 Material world P15 Is access to water a human right? P15 The Turing The Turing The psychology of consciousness P14 Wish you were here? P14 Project P21 Project P21 Crude Brittania film and discussion P13 The Piper Alpha The x-change P5 Offshore emergencies P13 The future of food P39 FRIDAY 7 FRIDAY disaster P13 From cradle to grave P13 Expanding minds Self-managing 7 FRIDAY Aberdeen harbour P37 Energy sustainability P15 and universes P15 chronic pain P15 The secret life of Visualise reloaded P29 Renewable energy: Past, present and future in North-East Scotland P37 (starts at 8.45am) the skeleton P39

Deadly divisions P16 Charles Darwin Award Feeding the 9 billion P17 CSI: Fact or fiction P16 The story of the continent The end of the world party P28 It wasn't me, it was my neurons P16 Lecture P17 Animal mind, human mind P17 Victorian science spectacular P18 P28 Forgotten knowledge P17 The electric body P17 In tune with mathematics P18 The x-change P5 How the zebra got its What’s the point? P28 Saviour siblings vs spit P16 Can you be religious stripes P18 Dark matters P18 CSI: Fact or fiction P16 and scientific? P18 Sweet dreams P28 The British Astronomical weekend event P16 Sense walking P37 Whisky on the rocks P38 Blood, brains babies and oil P37 Exploring forests with new eyes P38 Discover more P36 Discover more P36 Discover more P36 How to solve crimes with mathematics P22 Why don’t we eat as The Turing The Turing No head, no problem P22 Knotless knots P22 we intend to P22 Visualising the invisible P22 Project P21 Project P21 SATURDAY 8 SATURDAY SATURDAY 8 SATURDAY Visualising the invisible P22 The science behind food labels P22 Bubbles and balloons P39 Multi-track Mixing P22 Citizen science P30 Knotless Knots P22 Science misadventures P30 Poking the brain P30 Bubbles and balloons P30 Science junkie: In the zone P31 Sharking around at Macduff Aquarium P39

Lord Kelvin Looking for Leviathans P20 The extreme Universe P20 Speed science P28 Café Cosmos P19 Café Cosmos P19 Award Lecture P19 Who you think you are? P19The science of sleep P20 Turing: The human vs the machine P20 Izzy’s incredible Festival finale: Cultures ceilidh P28 The northern past P19 Taxing people for adventure P39 George McGavin P20 Showing mercy or a license to kill P20 Supercomputers unhealthy behaviours P19 The maths and computing magic show P31 in scienceP19 The northern past: Bloody Bennachie P38 The Turing Cromarty lighthouse field station tour P38 (starts at 8am) Project P21 Finding Aberdeen: The historical way P23 Rising tide P23 Talks & Debates Workshops Aberdeenshire & Beyond SUNDAY 9 SUNDAY SUNDAY 9 SUNDAY The war within us P23 KEY Izzy’s incredible The weird world of really Folding workshop P23 Trips Evening Events Family Events Folding workshop P23 Indestructible energy P31 adventure P31 really long molecules P31

9.30 10.00 10.30 11.00 11.30 12.00 12.30 13.00 13.30 14.00 14.30 15.00 15.30 16.00 16.30 17.00 17.30 18.00 18.30 19.00 19.30 20.00 20.30 21.00 21.30 22.00 22.30 23.00 BOOKING FESTIVAL TICKETS

Although most events are free, we recommend that you book your ticket in advance to guarantee your place at the event. Book online at www.britishsciencefestival.org Book by telephone 08456 807 207 Book in person at Aberdeen Box Office, Music Hall, Union Street, Aberdeen

During the Festival TRAVELLING BY CAR Eating and drinking at the British (4 – 9 September) Science Festival (Continued) Tuesday – Friday: 09:00 – late, You can buy tickets in person Kittybrewster Car Park (AB24 3LJ) Spiegeltent, King’s Lawn from the British Science Festival Kittybrewster Car Park on Bedford Road is Opens 11.00 (Tuesday – Sunday) Box Office, New Library, University of the designated Festival car park and will Will be closed at certain times throughout Aberdeen. be available from Tuesday 4 September the week for event & performance set up The Box Office will be open at until Friday 7 September. The car park is a ten minute walk to the University Waterstones Book Store the following times: Campus and is FREE. Please note that 10.00 – late ( Tuesday – Sunday), Elphinstone Hall (Thursday 10.00 – 14.00) Monday 3 September 17.00 – 19.00 vehicles are left at owners’ risk and the University is not responsible for any loss or Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 September damage to vehicles. 9.00 – 20.00 (20.30 on Thursday) Sunday 9 September 9.00 – 19.00 University Campus, King’s College (AB24 3FX) & Foresterhill Health Campus Parking (AB25 2ZD) Getting to the British Science Festival Saturday & Sunday: 9.00 – 23.00 BUS SERVICES WITHIN ABERDEEN CITY Tuesday – Friday: 16.00 – 23.00 Please note parking is not allowed on the Between Aberdeen City Centre University Campus until after 16.00 and Kings College Campus (Tuesday 4 – Friday 7 September). First Bus: 1, 2, 13, 20, 40, 17, 17A, 21, 21A University car parks are private property Between Aberdeen City Centre and are managed by Town & City and the beach areas parking Ltd on behalf of the University First Bus: 14,15, 17, 17A, 19, 20, 21, 21A, 23 and vehicles are left at owners’ risk. New Library, University of Aberdeen For Robert Gordon University Eating and drinking at the First Bus: 1, 2, 9 British Science Festival British Science Festival events may Hillhead halls of residence services be filmed or photographed for Festival café, Elphinstone Hall First Bus: 6, 20 archive purposes and future 9.30 – 16.00 (Tuesday - Sunday) promotion of the Festival. Transport services - (Thursday 10.00 – 14.00) Food will be Aberdeenshire For Banchory served from 11.30 – 14.30 daily All details are correct at the time of Stagecoach: 200 – 204 going to print. The British Science Festival bar, Elphinstone Hall Festival reserves the right to change For Inverurie 12.00 – 23.00 (Tuesday – Sunday) events due to unforeseen circum- Stagecoach: 10, 307, 727 ‘Jet’ service. (Thursday 12.00 - 14.00) stances. Any changes will be posted Train from Aberdeen Station, The Hub on the British Science Festival website Union Square 8.30 – 19.30 (Tuesday – Sunday) www.britishsciencefestival.org and sign-posted on the day at the British For Laurencekirk Bishop’s Table Science Festival Box Office. Train from Aberdeen Station, 11.30 – 14.30 (Tuesday – Friday) UnionSquare. In the event of a cancellation, tickets New Library café will be refunded, otherwise tickets will For Ellon 8.30 – 19.30 (Tuesday – Sunday) not be accepted for refund or resale. Stagecoach: 267, 268, 290 - 293

53 FESTIVAL We would like to thank our sponsors SUPPORTERS and supporters.

FESTIVAL ORGANISING PARTNERS

PRINCIPAL SPONSORS

LEAD SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

MAJOR SPONSOR

CORE SPONSOR

FESTIVAL SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS

MEDIA PARTNER

The British Science Association is a registered charity: 212479 & SC039236 For more information about the British Science Assocation, please visit www.britishscienceassociation.org This page acknowledges the generous contribution of all our sponsors and supporters at the time of going to print. This programme has been printed on FSC certified 100% recycled paper, using vegetable based ink.