Scottish Science and Technology Roadshow facts for kids

The Scottish Science and Technology Roadshow (SCI-FUN) is a cool program from the University of Edinburgh. It's like a traveling science show that visits schools!

SCI-FUN wants to make science and technology subjects more fun and interesting for students in Scotland. They bring a science center experience right to schools, even in faraway places like the Highlands and Islands. They also put on special events, like at the Edinburgh International Science Festival.

What is the SCI-FUN Roadshow?

The SCI-FUN Roadshow travels to high schools across Scotland. It brings together exciting talks and hands-on experiments. These cover many science topics, including biology, chemistry, physics, maths, engineering, and technology.

The Roadshow is mostly for students aged 11-14 (S1 and S2 in Scotland). Older students studying science at Higher or Advanced Higher levels often help out.

What topics does the Roadshow cover?

The Roadshow often includes presentations about our senses and new research. They also encourage students to keep studying science subjects. They share information about cool research happening at the University of Edinburgh. This can include topics like stem cells, the Large Hadron Collider, tiny insects like the Highland midge, and Carbon Capture and Storage technology. In the past, they've talked about Climate change and the chemistry of stars.

Hands-on experiments

The Roadshow has about 45 hands-on exhibits. This lets students try out many different science experiments in a short amount of time. It's a great way to experience science for yourself!

What is SCI-FUN Primer?

SCI-FUN Primer is a program for younger students, usually 9-12 years old (P6 and P7 in primary school). Its goal is to show these kids that science is all around them every day.

The Primer program uses smaller versions of the hands-on activities from the main Roadshow. These activities are designed to fit easily into a classroom. Sometimes, a local high school might even host the Primer for nearby primary schools.

SCI-FUN at Science Festivals

SCI-FUN often takes part in science festivals. These events let them share their exciting science shows with even more people.

Edinburgh International Science Festival

SCI-FUN is a regular part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival. This big festival happens every year in Edinburgh during the Easter holidays. SCI-FUN brings parts of its Roadshow, including exhibits and presentations. They have even presented their "Senses" show for everyone to enjoy.

Hebridean Science Festival

In 2011, SCI-FUN joined the Hebridean Science Festival. This festival aims to inspire future scientists and engineers from the Western Isles of Scotland. SCI-FUN ran its usual Roadshow for schools there. They also hosted evening and drop-in sessions for the public.

Other Science Festivals

SCI-FUN has also visited other science festivals in Scotland. These include festivals in Shetland and Orkney. They plan to attend even more festivals in the future!

What is FUSION?

FUSION stands for Focusing on University Science Interpretation and Outreach Needs. It's like a sister group to SCI-FUN. FUSION works with researchers at the University of Edinburgh. They help find ways to share new science discoveries with more people.

FUSION projects also create new science materials and exhibits. Some of these cool new exhibits have even been added to the SCI-FUN Roadshow!

CCS Interactive

One big project by FUSION is the CCS Interactive exhibit. CCS stands for Carbon Capture and Storage. This exhibit is a working model that shows how Carbon Capture and Storage works. It was developed with help from the University of Edinburgh's engineering and geoscience experts.

The CCS Interactive helps explain this process to both students and the public. It includes a model of a fossil fuel power station. It shows how CO₂ (carbon dioxide) is captured before it goes into the air.

How did SCI-FUN start?

SCI-FUN began in the early 1990s as a smaller project called FUNdamental Physics. It was run by volunteers and focused on talks about physics.

In 1999, it grew into SCI-FUN as we know it today. It started including hands-on exhibits about all kinds of science and began touring all over Scotland. The Roadshow has continued to grow and change over time. It now works closely with researchers at the University of Edinburgh and adapts to what schools are teaching.

Past SCI-FUN Projects

SCI-FUN has been involved in several interesting projects over the years.

PP4SS

Since 2004, a project called PP4SS (Particle Physics for Scottish Schools) has been running. This project offers workshops for older high school students. It has been used during school visits, university events, the Edinburgh International Science Festival, and even at the Scottish Parliament. The PP4SS team even visited CERN, a famous science lab, with Professor Peter Higgs. He is famous for his ideas about the Higgs boson.

LERU Kids' University

In 2005 and 2006, SCI-FUN helped organize the University of Edinburgh's part of the Europe-wide LERU Kids' University program. This program let high school students experience what university life is like at an early age.

Work experience

SCI-FUN has also offered work experience to students in their final years of high school. Students could either travel with the Roadshow to schools or work in the office. They helped develop new exhibits or shows. Some students even had the chance to apply for a special grant to work on exhibits for the PP4SS project for six weeks.

See also

• List of science centers#Europe