University of Aberdeen, Satrosphere, Cromar Future Group bring popular science talks and family activities to Tarland

This November sees an exciting new event series coming to Aberdeenshire.

ABERDEEN, 17-11-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of Aberdeen will join forces with Satrosphere and the Cromar Future Group to bring popular science talks and family activities to Tarland.

The programme builds on the University’s highly popular Café Scientifique series held monthly in Waterstones, Union Bridge and will take place monthly in Tarland’s MacRobert Hall launching at 7pm on 18 November.

The series begins with special guest Graeme McLean of Scottish Cycling talking about the innovations in Scottish mountain biking that are placing Scotland at the forefront of bike development in the world.

The programme will cover topics as varied as the Night Sky, Electrical Engineering, Medicine and Animal Behaviour and will be complemented by interactive family workshops. Professor Dame Anne Glover will give the first University delivered talk in the series on 16 December, based on her knowledge of European space exploration developed during her role as Chief Scientific Adviser to the President of the European Commission. This event will also tie in to Tim Peake’s mission to the International Space Station.

Lesley Ellis of the Cromar Future Group explained “We have a very vibrant community in Tarland, with a lively arts and history scene. However there is an appetite for us to bring science topics to our community.  We’re delighted to be working with the University of Aberdeen and Satrosphere to help produce our first series of events.”

Dr Ken Skeldon, Head of Public Engagement at the University and Chair of Satrosphere Science Centre added “We are delighted to be sharing some of the University’s ground-breaking research and discovery with the communities of Cromar, Upper Deeside and Donside, many of whom find it difficult to attend our city based events. Reaching children and families is also an important aim of this new series, and I’m pleased that Satrosphere will be bringing new interactive workshops and a new space show to the area during the Easter holidays.”

As with all the café discussion events the format is very informal and inclusive. The venue will be set up in the style of a café featuring a talk of around 45 minutes followed by a break where people can enjoy a refreshment from a local barrista, with sometimes lively audience discussion afterwards!

The café events are aimed at adults and older children and free to attend for under-18s with an admission charge of £4 for adults.  The family events presented by Satrosphere will be free. Those wishing to be kept up to date with the new series are invited to join the mailing list at info@futuregroup.org.uk. Those on the University of Aberdeen’s mailing list will receive information on the forthcoming events as part of our regular bulletins.

Notes for Editors

Tea and coffee for the series will be provided by the mobile barrista stall of Gregor Donaldson, from Donside.

For further information please contact:-

Cromar Future Group – Lesley Ellis, 07766 664050

Graeme McLean (launch speaker), Scottish Cycling, 0141 554 6021

Issued by the Communications Team
Office of External Affairs, University of Aberdeen, King’s College, Aberdeen
Tel: +44 (0)1224 272014

Contact: Wendy Skene

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University of Aberdeen, Satrosphere, Cromar Future Group bring popular science talks and family activities to Tarland