Relocated into bigger premises at the RGU Garthdee Campus, the Activity Weekend ran over Saturday and Sunday (August 26-27) and encouraged visitors to gain hands-on experience with science and technology
Supported by joint principal funders BP and Shell and sponsored by Marathon Oil, the Activity Weekend featured more than 30 interactive workshops, demonstrations and shows, costing just £1 for adults and 1p for children as part of the In For a Penny, In For a Pound initiative.
Visitors built and programmed their own robot in Robot Sumo Challenge with RGU, came face to face with minibeasts, snakes and lizards in Amazing Animals - sponsored by Chevron - and tried their hand at being a scientist in Dissolving and Solubility - sponsored by CNR International.
There was also the opportunity to discover the unique challenges of exploring the subsea world in K’Nex Under the Sea with Subsea 7, and children constructed their own mini camera obscura in the Camera Obscura making workshop - sponsored by Apache.
Budding pilots developed their flying skills in the interactive Science of Flight workshop, sponsored by CHC Helicopters.
Alies Bartelds, acting managing director of TechFest, said: “The TechFest Activity Weekend 2017 was a great success as we saw over 2,000 people from across the North east attend the action-packed event.
“The new venue at RGU proved extremely popular with the children and adults who joined us as we were able to provide everyone with the opportunity to get involved in exciting STEM activities, experiments and presentations, thanks to RGU’s state of the art facilitates and resources.
“We’re extremely grateful for the ongoing support of Marathon Oil, which helps TechFest continue to provide fun, exciting and inspiring activities for all ages.”
James Edens, Marathon Oil UK regional vice-president said: “Marathon is proud to be able to continue sponsoring TechFest in 2017 and wish them another fantastic year.”
Garry Brindley, senior lecturer at RGU’s School of Engineering, said: “The School of Engineering at RGU understands the importance of outreach work and capturing the minds of the engineers of tomorrow, and, as such, we are delighted to be taking part in such a diverse and interesting festival.
“Bringing the public into our facilities in Garthdee strengthens the links with the community and gives us the chance to demonstrate some of the exciting work that goes on with the university."
With a wide range of activities for all ages, TechFest 2017’s public programme will run from September 11 to September 25, at venues including RGU and the University of Aberdeen.
One of the aims of TechFest 2017, which is supported by joint principal funders BP and Shell, is to engage young people in the four main STEM subjects and encourage them to go on to follow a career which utilises these skills by demonstrating that they are both fun and relevant in day to day life.
Highlights of this year’s festival include the chance to hear wildlife presenter and cameraman Gordon Buchanan share his incredible experiences with some of the world’s most fearsome and majestic animals in opening event Animal Families and Me (September 11).
Electrical engineer Dr Trina Dinnis introduces the audience to mathematical modelling and how it relates to the real world in The Mathematics of Why I Don’t Have a Boyfriend (September 13), author Nick Arnold presents fun for all the family in The Horrible Science Show (September 23) and there’s even a social walking event using an app designed by academics at the University of Aberdeen [m]apping Aberdeen (September 24).
Alies added: “We are indebted to the assistance we receive from all our sponsors and supporters, in particular our joint principal funders Shell and BP, whose ongoing backing helps us to continue to educate and entertain.”
