The Edinburgh International Science Festival programme has just been released. Among this year's 170 events is the interactive "Wee Wonder World" exhibition - created by Scottish based designers, writers and scientists - and funded by £120,000 from the Scottish Government's Expo Fund.
Culture Minister Michael Russell said at the launch of "the oldest science festival in the world," yesterday, that the exhibition "will present difficult scientific concepts in new and exciting ways, encouraging interactive learning between young children and adults."
Director of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, Simon Gage
described the Wee Wonder exhibition as such: "Through a partnership with BBC
Scotland's popular TV children's show Nina and the Neurons, we send
kids on an adventure around a quirky and unexpected house where they
get caught up in all sorts of science investigations."
The exhibition, at the City Art Centre, includes runaway robotic sheep, shadowy monsters under the stairs, and Grandpa's levitating chair.
The Wee Wonder World exhibition will return to the 2010 and 2011 Festivals and go on tour.
Wha's Like Us?
The Science Festival also received £30,000 from Homecoming Scotland to support two key elements of the festival
programme: Scotland: Hotbed of Genius - an expert panel discussion on
Scotland's innovative future; and Scotland: Powerhouse of Genius - an
interactive exhibition that will look at Scotland's pioneering role in
the renewable energy industry.
The planned expenditure for the Edinburgh Festivals Expo fund is £6 million over three years (2008-2009 to 2011-2012) with £1.308 million allocated in 2008-09.