Science and technology fair for May

The SIC’s Science and Technology Fair will take place at Clickimin from 18th to 22nd May.

Schools and other organisations from all over the isles are invited to participate in a variety of workshops and events designed to find out more about many fascinating subjects.

Visiting exhibitors will include Techfest, Sci-Fun, K’Next Generation, Glasgow and Dundee Science Centres and Edinburgh Zoo, as well as the NAFC Marine Centre and the council’s own environmental management department.

An additional open evening on Wednesday 20th May will welcome pupils, parents and families to open their eyes to the compelling world of science and technology and pave the way for thinking about future careers in the industry.

Visitors in the evening will be able to choose from a number of the workshops, aimed at children from pre-school to secondary, and beginning with a talk by Henry Ellington on the universe.

Participants will be taken on a conducted tour of the universe, from the sun and the inner planets to the more remote regions of the galaxy and on to the extra galactic universe.

Aberdeen-based Techfest is bringing a cosmic dome portable planetarium, which will give children the opportunity to see a sky full of stars and find out about constellations and why day and night exists.

The Sci-Fun, or Scottish Science and Technology roadshow, is bringing its hands-on exhibit collection which includes a variety of activities exploring many aspects of the sciences and mathematics.

The Glasgow Science Centre will explore the digestive system and how the body gets energy from food while Edinburgh Zoo will be giving visitors a close encounter with a variety of small creatures including stick insects and giant African land snails.

The Dundee Science Centre will host an investigative workshop into how to be a scientist, or discover different kinds of bubbles and programme robots to move.

Shell Education Workshop looks at the science of a candle flame, explores how wax can be remoulded and gives students the opportunity to make a multi-coloured candle. There will be an opportunity to switch on to electronics with a workshop on circuits, coloured LEDs and other electrical devices delivered by Peter Craig.

Schoolchildren visiting the NAFC Marine Centre stand will be able to try their hand at sailing a ship simulator, see barnacles on a big screen, find out more about bacteria and get close to sea creatures in the touchy feely tank, while the SIC environmental management department shows visitors how to make compost from everyday items.

Project co-ordinator Christine Geldard said: “We are delighted with this year’s programme, which is shaping up to be a stimulating and hands on event. The fair is all about promoting education and fun under the umbrella of science and technology and I believe we have an exciting programme that offers something for everyone.

“We are looking forward to welcoming children and young people from throughout Shetland – as well as parents and families midweek – and hope they leave feeling that the experience has been both inspirational and informative, even helping influence the future career paths of our young people.”

As a precursor to the event, an outreach programme has been organised for the week beginniing 11th May. Generation Science is bringing its robotics workshop to the four corners of Shetland to visit schools and their communities who may not be able to attend the main festival.

Mrs Geldard said: “The educational tour will include visits to Fair Isle, the North Isles, Foula, Skerries and Whalsay where school children and their families can share in the fun of an interactive workshop exploring the technology of robots.”