Glasgow Science Festival makes a splash with programme launch
The Glasgow Science Festival is setting out to make a splash as it returns with an expanded programme of in-person events in June under the theme of 'Glasgow's Making Waves'.
Article Source: Glasgow Science Festival
Last Updated: 6 May 2022 8:58
Venues across the city including the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, the Riverside Museum and the St Enoch Centre will play host to more than 50 live events during the 16th annual festival, which kicks off on Thursday 2nd June.
The online Science on the Sofa activity programme, established following the cancellation of planned physical events for the 2020 festival, will also return for a third year to help bring science into the home.
Visitors can look forward to a varied selection of wave-themed events, including investigations of gravitational wave astronomy, artist-led soundwalks, explanations of how different types of waves manifest in the natural world, and a striking sculpture of a basking shark made from e-waste.
There’s an equally varied range of other topics to explore, including the rhythms of the brain, how AI can deliver improved healthcare, and how plant science can help mitigate climate change.
The events will be delivered by researchers from universities across the west of Scotland and elsewhere, alongside local community groups, museums and other organisations.
Dr Deborah McNeill, organiser of the Glasgow Science Festival, said: “We’re really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish over the last couple of years despite the restrictions of the pandemic.
“Our online festival in 2020 and our partially in-person events last year proved very popular and showed that there was still a real demand from people across the city for what the Glasgow Science Festival offers.
“We’ve worked really hard to make sure that this year’s festival rewards that enthusiasm with an expanded programme of in-person events which can be safely delivered at locations across the city.
“There’s still a real interest in online activities, both from local people and from visitors around the world, so we’ve made sure that we can also offer a month-long series of home experiments and video content that people can engage with whenever they want to.
“We’ve developed a really varied programme that we’re sure will have something for science enthusiasts of all ages to see, do and learn from. We can’t wait to welcome people back.”
Highlights of the in-person Glasgow Science Festival programme include:
Particle/Wave, an immersive fulldome film presented at the Glasgow Science Centre which weaves music, poetry, arts, and science to tell the story of gravitational waves from prediction to detection. Artist Alicia Sometimes and University of Glasgow astronomer Prof Martin Hendry will explore this new way of seeing the Universe.
Glasgow Science Festival at the Botanic Gardens, a series of daily events at the Botanics between Tuesday 7th and Sunday 12th June. Activities include making bath-bombs and rainbow, creating botanical blueprint collages, science tattoos, and opportunities to lean all about the germs, viruses and amoebas in the Gardens and the human body.
Sound Thought, a curated soundwalk of locations around the West End of Glasgow, exploring notions of acoustic ecology and the impact of humans and noise pollution on our local environments. Each composer/sound artist has prepared a soundscape composition for a specific location in Glasgow’s West End which can be enjoyed as part of a self-led tour.
Devouring Technology, a sculpture of a basking shark made from electronic waste created by artist Jonathan Elder and CCL North. On display at the St Enoch Centre throughout the festival, the shark (affectionately dubbed Betty) aims to demonstrate the colossal scale of the electronic waste problem in Scotland.
Some of the activities available from Science on the Sofa will include:
Brain Wave Cruise Photo Tour, a visual journey through brain waves prepared by researchers from the University of Edinburgh. Participants can explore fascinating shapes and take pictures of brain waves.
STEM on a Shoestring, from the University of Strathclyde, which will allow participants to catch a rainbow using nail polish, make their own holograms in the palm of their hands or build their own fibre optic camera using nothing more than an empty toilet.
Spot-A-Bee: Sign up to be part of an online survey of bee habitats to help scientists from the University of Glasgow develop a better understanding of these critically-important insects, whose numbers are in drastic decline.
The in-person portion of the Glasgow Science Festival will run from Thursday 2nd June to Sunday 12th June, with most events being free of charge. Science on the Sofa activities will be available on the Festival’s website from launch until Thursday 30th June.
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Name the Loganair Christmas puffin and win a family adventure
Loganair, the UK’s leading regional airline, has launched a new festive competition to name the puffin starring in its emotional Christmas advert.
READ MORE
Festive fun on the farm at the National Museum of Rural Life
Celebrate the season with festive fun for the whole family at the National Museum of Rural Life.
READ MORE
Braehead celebrates bright young business stars this Christmas
Scotland's premier retail destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, today announce that this Christmas they will again welcome the Young Enterprise Christmas Trade Fayre.
READ MORE
Breakout Scots star urges young people to discover new artists IRL at Celtic Connections coffee pop ups
Katie Gregson-MacLeod is urging young Glaswegians to discover new music IRL as Celtic Connections brings free pop-up gigs to Patricia's x SLB, Through The House and Black Pine this Saturday.
READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is a Christmas cracker this year!
A family rollercoaster, giant snow globe, rides, stalls, street food and live entertainment makes Loch Lomond Shores FREE Christmas festival the perfect Christmas day out for all the family!
READ MORE
Calum Bowie gives Barrowland call up to 2 rising stars for landmark 5th December show
Calum Bowie has invited two fresh local talents to support him at his upcoming landmark show in December at The Barrowlands!
READ MORE
Partick Film Festival returns in January with special anniversary screening of Rob Roy
Partick Film Festival returns in January with a range of events including a special 30th anniversary screening of Rob Roy, followed by a Q&A with the director Michael Caton-Jones.
READ MORE
Somewhere by Nico Launches Festive Cocktail Experience
This festive season, Glasgow and Edinburgh relevellers can relive the magic of Christmas past as Somewhere by Nico unveil a brand-new immersive experience!
READ MORE
Beatson Cancer Charity Ambassadog Baxter leads the way at Santa Dash 2025
Beatson Cancer Charity is thrilled to announce that our Ambassadog, Baxter, will be taking part in this year's Santa Dash on Sunday 7th December!
READ MORE
Zizzi celebrates a fresh era with a new menu and app, by giving 132 people free pasta for one year
Zizzi has introduced a new food & drink menu across all its restaurants, launched a brand-new Zizzi app, and is giving 132 people free pasta for one year.
READ MORE
Festive Season at Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched some new offerings designed for memorable Christmas stays, spectacular Hogmanay celebrations, and cozy winter escapes.
READ MORE
From The Gannet to Eleven Fifty Five: Peter McKenna announces new Argyle Street restaurant
Peter McKenna, chef-owner of The Gannet in Glasgow, along with Kevin Dow, are set to open a new restaurant, Eleven Fifty Five, in its place in Finnieston early next year.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort to welcome new Mexican restaurant this week
Mezcal, the lively Mexican street-food restaurant, is set to open its doors at Glasgow Fort on Wednesday 26th November, bringing even more choice for visitors ahead of the festive period.
READ MORE
Second year of Urban Forestry Programme opens across Scotland
Community groups, organisations and schools across Scotland are being invited to apply for grants of up to £100,000.
READ MORE
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time returns to Glasgow in March 2027
A brand-new staging of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time based on the internationally celebrated novel comes to Glasgow's Theatre Royal in March 2027!
READ MORE
MINISO is coming to Buchanan Street... get ready to explore!
Global lifestyle sensation MINISO is set to bring its signature blend of joy, creativity, and affordable design to Buchanan Street, with a brand-new store opening on 26th November!
READ MORE
Black Friday Savings at Buchanan Galleries
Buchanan Galleries in Glasgow is abuzz with Black Friday deals, offering shoppers incredible discounts across a wide range of products – from fashion and footwear to jewellery, beauty, and homeware.
READ MORE
The Maclean Brothers row onto Celtic Connections bill as new wave of shows announced
The Maclean Brothers are among a wave of exciting new names to join the world-renowned Celtic Connections bill, it has been announced.
READ MORE
BBC CBeebies starts the panto season at Glasgow cinemas
The CBeebies panto Cinderella is coming to the big screen in Glasgow from Friday 21st November.
READ MORE
The Pavilion Theatre is taking part in the largest Black Friday Theatre Sale in the UK
As part of Trafalgar Entertainment, customers can now access some of the best theatre ticket deals for shows at the Pavilion Theatre as well as unmissable productions in the West End.
READ MORE
BBC ALBA Hogmanay Ceilidh to broadcast live from Glasgow
BBC ALBA will bring together some of Gaelic music's biggest names as Cèilidh na Bliadhn' Ùire returns to Glasgow to celebrate Hogmanay and usher in 2026.
READ MORE
Cast Announced for Flora, a new musical coming to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
The full cast has been revealed for Flora which sees one of Scotland's most famous daughters, Flora MacDonald, take centre stage to tell her own tale!
READ MORE
Christmas in Edinburgh and Glasgow: Celebrate the festive season with Candlelight Concerts
Featuring classic Christmas carols, this live, multi-sensory musical experience will light up St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral and Merchants House and The Trades Hall for an unforgettable evening.
READ MORE
Innis & Gunn to open the biggest festive beer hall in Glasgow at Winter Wonderland on The Green
Glasgow is getting its largest-ever Christmas beer hall, and it’s all down to award-winning brewer Innis & Gunn.
READ MORE
Find a festive backdrop in Glasgow and the West
From frosty gardens to cosy tearooms, National Trust for Scotland places in Glasgow and the West are offering a host of winter experiences and special events this festive season.
READ MORE
Glaswegians invited to Panto Town as Glasgow 850 finishes with festive flourish
Glaswegians are being urged to embrace the unique spirit of the city's pantomimes with the launch of Get You in Panto Town!
READ MORE
Buchanan Galleries celebrates the season of giving with festive family fun
The magic of Christmas has arrived at Buchanan Galleries, with a heartwarming line-up of festive activities taking place throughout November and December.
READ MORE
Scottish Ballet creates a brand new wee version of the big ballet
Scottish Ballet's Wee Nutcracker is coming to Glasgow's Tramway this December. The beloved festive ballet, The Nutcracker, has been specially adapted for wee ones aged 5+ and their families!
READ MORE
The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz: New adult panto brings comedy to Scotland in January
January needn't be a drag as Scotland's brand-new adult panto, The Wizard Wae The Big Bawz, hits the road, arriving just when the country needs a burst of joy!
READ MORE
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan lead new production of Waiting for Godot at the Citz
Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star as Estragon and Vladimir in a new production of Waiting for Godot, co-produced with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Octagon Theatre Bolton.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links