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Stirling Science Festival is back – and out of this world!

Families can enjoy the adventure of a lifetime during the October week holiday – by making a trip from Stirling to the very edge of the Solar System.

First published

26 Sep 2024

a young man, wearing a cosmonaut costume with a space helmet under his left arm, looks into the distance. Behind him there is a banner that reads 'Stirling Science Festival' and a large wall, on which is covered the Periodic Table.
Stirling High's Adam Keane is ready to head to the very edge of the solar system during the Science Festival - all from the comfort of The Tolbooth!

The Stirling Science Festival returns from 17-19 October and most of the family-friendly events are free of charge for all who attend.

Now in its sixth year, the festival is organised by Stirling Council and funded by the Scottish Government and is an integral part of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations.

Events will take place at a range of local venues including The Tolbooth, Albert Halls, Codebase, Thistles Centre, The Smith Museum and Stirling Observatory, as well as local libraries.

Highlights include Dynamic Earth’s inflatable planetarium at The Tolbooth, where resident astronomers will take visitors on a dramatic journey to Neptune and beyond - and back again.

Landscape

The Tolbooth will also host Castles Rock, an interactive show from the team at the Glasgow Science Centre that delves into the science and engineering of our amazing castles – including Stirling.

The Computing Science and Maths team at the University of Stirling will host a lecture for all ages at The Smith Museum. It will explain the mathematical landscape of the 12th century, when King David I bestowed Royal Burgh status on Stirling, and unravel the intriguing properties of the number 900 itself.

Other activities include potion making at a Harry Potter Book Day, nature trail at The Smith Museum, star gazing at the Stirling Observatory, a design workshop at Codebase, free activities at The Thistles, Lego building, lectures – and even Benji the Bus in Bannockburn.

A group of young people, in school uniform, sit in front of a large bunsen burner in a chemistry class, with one of the pupils holding a board that reads: 'Stirling 900'
Young people from Stirling High can vouch for the fact that science is exploratory, engaging - and fun, with the Science Festival a highlight of Stirling 900.

Stirling Council Leader, Cllr Margaret Brisley, said: “The Stirling Science Festival has become a much-loved addition to our events programme since it first took place in 2019 and it will provide a cornerstone this year as we mark our 900th anniversary as a Royal Burgh.

“There’s so much to do, for all age groups, and we know parents appreciate and welcome the fact that so many events are free of charge during the October school holiday week.

“We have some top class venues, including the Albert Halls and Tolbooth, but this is a festival that also goes to the very heart of our communities with shows in venues such as The Thistles, as well as our local libraries, from Strathblane to St Ninians.

“We want to encourage exploration and discovery in the minds of our children, young people – and adults. Most of all, we want to inspire fun and learning for all age groups.

“We look forward to engaging with local people and visitors to interact with the wonderful world of science and nature.”

Two adults stand in a classroom setting with props, including bricks and a medieval winch, that show how to construct a castle
The team from the Glasgow Science Centre will be explaining the engineering that underpins Scotland's amazing castles, including Stirling (pic credit: Glasgow Science Centre).

Highlights of the Festival include:

Star Gazing

Join volunteers from Stirling Astronomical Society to view the night sky and stars through their Newtonian reflector designed telescope, constructed and installed in the observatory of the Stirling Highland Hotel by William Peck in 1889. The observatory has a rotating domed roof sheathed in copper whose green surface makes it a familiar landmark in Stirling!

Glasgow Science Centre - Castles Rock

The show at The Tolbooth delves into the science and engineering that underpin our amazing castles. This fun, interactive science show will bring castles to life on Friday, 18 October, from their construction to destruction and how we preserve the castles that remain.

Dynamic Earth

Join Dynamic Earth in their inflatable planetarium at The Tolbooth on Thursday, 17 September. Their resident astronomers will take guests on a dramatic journey to the very edge of our solar system and back. In real-time visitors can see the boundaries of human exploration and follow in the footsteps of some very special space missions.

Benji - The Double Decker Play Bus

The team from 'The Smart Play Network' will be providing fun, free play activities for families on Thursday, 17 October at Bannockburn Library. Drop-in sessions will run from 10am-1pm and 2-4pm.

Animation Workshop

Learn the art of stop-motion animation, from the early days of zoetropes to today’s digital techniques, all while exploring 900 years of Stirling’s history through collage. The workshop is hosted by Doska Animation at The Tolbooth on Thursday and Friday, 17 and 18 October.

For details of all events and information on booking, which is recommended for the most popular activities, please visit www.stirlingsciencefestival.org