Sir Isaac Newton was famously sitting under an apple tree, when a falling apple inspired his revolutionary theories about gravity.
Today, seeds from that very same apple tree have been collected and are being sent to specially selected Science Centres and Science Museums all across the UK. Aberdeen Science Centre is delighted to announce on the 10 November that it, along with Riverbank School Science Club, will plant these seeds.
This unique and rare event is in celebration of the World\'s first UNESCO-backed International Science Centre and Science Museum Day.
The apple pips have been donated by National Trust’s Woolsthorpe Manor in Lincolnshire, the birthplace and family home of Sir Isaac Newton. The seeds will grow in the science centre with the hope of entering Aberdeen Science Centre’s new activity garden when mature, inspiring tomorrow’s scientists.
Pips from this very same tree have been on the International Space centre, originally sent up with Tim Peake as part of his ‘Principia’ mission.
Liz Hodge, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are thrilled to be able to celebrate International Science Centre and Science Museum Day with Riverbank science club by planting seeds from this very special tree. Newton’s apple tree is regarded as a symbol of an age of scientific discovery. We believe we’re still living within that age and we hope to continue inspiring all ages to go out and push the boundaries of scientific understand.”
The CEO of ASDC Dr Penny Fidler said \"We are delighted to be able to celebrate the day by sharing Newtons\'s apples seeds with families and the public through the impressive network of UK science centres. As a nation and a global society we have some major challenges ahead that will take scientific creativity and entrepreneurship to solve. Science Centres and Museums are at the heart of bringing the latest science to the public across the UK and helping children and adults to get involved with science in a hands-on and inspirational way, building the skills we need to create a better world for the future.\"
This project has been made possible through a partnership with The UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC), the national charity that brings together the UK’s major science engagement organisations. Together UK Science centres and museums involve 20 million children and adults every year with science through their hands-on science programmes, schools science programmes and community activities.