TechFest and the Rowett Institute are delighted to be an official livestream venue for this year’s Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution.
Join us to watch the lectures come to life in real time, and be the first to discover the truth about food from Dr Chris van Tulleken.
This event is perfect for all the family - children and people of all ages can come and watch the magic of the Lectures unfold in real time as they’re filmed in front of an audience in the Ri’s Theatre in London. They’ll have the chance to get involved with hands-on activities and be the first to learn the truth about food before the 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES are broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer in late December.
This year’s speaker, Dr Chris Van Tulleken, is a NHS doctor, author and experienced science communicator and it proves to be an entertaining evening with fact fuelled demos, guest appearances and festive food hacks. Chris will investigate how food has fundamentally shaped human evolution, uncovers the importance of our microbiome – as the extra ‘organ’ we didn’t know we had – and asks how we can all eat better in future, for the sake of our own health and the health of the planet.
Event Information
Doors open at 5:15 – Interactive activities with scientists from Rowett Institute
6pm – 8pm ; Live stream from London
This event is suitable for age 11+, adults, teens and student audiences. Please note under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Frequently asked questions
What age range are the CHRISTMAS LECTURES suitable for?
The CHRISTMAS LECTURES are aimed at an audience of 11-17 year olds, however they are accessible for people of all ages and all levels of scientific knowledge. They are typically watched by families together – a Christmas family tradition on the BBC.
Will Professor Dr Chris van Tulleken be there in person?
No Dr Chris van Tulleken will not be present in person, but you will be able to watch his presentations via the livestream on the big screen.
Will you get to see the behind the scenes of the RI Christmas lectures?
Yes, you will get full access to behind the scenes and watch the Royal Institute as they film the Christmas Lecture live from their Historic Theatre in London
Do I have to come to both talks?
No each session stands alone but you are welcome to come to as many as you wish.
When does the event start?
Doors will open at 5.15pm where you can grab a bite to eat with refreshments being served. Seated for 6pm at the start of the livestream.
Will there be a chance to meet any researchers?
Yes we are delighted to be partnering with the Rowett Institute. University researchers will showcase their work throughout the evening giving members of the public a chance to interact with their exhibits and ask questions.
Where is the event taking place?
Both Christmas Lectures will be live streamed from the Rowett Institute, Foresterhill Campus, Ashgrove Rd W, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD
How to do I find the Rowett Institute on the Foresterhill Campus?
Driving
Entering the city from the south or west, follow signs for the A90 (Fraserburgh and Peterhead). This leads round the ring road (Anderson Drive). Exit right (A9011) onto Ashgrove Road West, continue beyond the junction with Foresterhill Road, then turn right on to Cornhill Road when the bus turning area is close to the Medical School car park. From the north, Foresterhill is approached via the A96 (from Dyce and Inverness) and the A90 (from Peterhead) and thence to the A90 (North) Anderson Drive.
Foresterhill Postcode: AB25 2ZD GPS: Lat: 57:09:23N (57.15634), Lon: 2:08:05W (-2.1346) Grid Ref: NJ919072
Parking after 5pm is free on the Foresterhill Campus.
Public transport
Numbers 3/3A/3B/3S will take you from Guild Street (near Aberdeen Bus and Train stations) to the main entrance of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Foresterhill Road.
Number 23 will take you from Union Street to Harcourt Road Stop, a 10-minute walk away from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the Foresterhill Campus.
Nearest Stops to Foresterhill Campus
You can also use the Stagecoach service from Guild Street or Union Square Bus station to the main entrance of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Foresterhill Road.
When will the CHRISTMAS LECTURES be on tv?
The 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES to be broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer in late December. Exact broadcast details will be confirmed when the BBC announce their Christmas schedules in early December.
How can I watch past CHRISTMAS LECTURES?
You can watch our archive of Christmas lectures here on the RI’s website: https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/watch-royal-institution-christmas-lectures-archive
Welcome to Techfest's 24 Days of STEM Calendar - an interactive advent calendar for the classroom and at home!
Get ready for a festive treat packed with fun! Our calendar is brimming with entertaining videos and a variety of exciting STEM activities to spark joy this holiday season. ✨
While we're patiently waiting for the 1st of December, register here to receive the resources.
The Advent Calendar resource handbook will be sent out to you on the 29th of November, ready for you to take part on the 1st of December.
Thanks to Equinor for sponsoring our 24 Days of STEM Advent Calendar!
Welcome to TechFest Talks, Space into Energy Edition!
In this series students talk with professionals from the energy and space sectors and discover the exciting world of STEM - science, technology, engineering, mathematics.
Click on your favourite podcast platform icon to listen.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
Learn more about Space Into Energy project.
As the nights draw in and the weather is dreich, you can still enjoy the wonder of TechFest without setting a foot outdoors.
Join like-minded people from around the world for the Scotland’s Digital Science Festival and participate in a myriad of activities and presentations from the comfort of your own armchair.
All events are FREE to attend, except for the thrilling Locked Room game. Registration is required for all events.
Just click the ‘Book Now’ button next to your chosen event to secure your spot today.
With faster technological advancements and the continued rise of the digital age, many employers are looking for candidates who have a passion for innovation.
TechFest’s ‘STEM into Innovation’, supported by the NCR Foundation, takes students on an exploration into product design and development, while putting their STEM skills to the test!
Unlock Your Creativity with Innovation Masterclasses!
Step into the world of innovation with our dynamic series of masterclasses tailored for S1-S3 students (ages 12-15) across Scotland. Dive into the exciting realm of product design through immersive activities designed to ignite your creativity and problem-solving skills.
Collaborate with industry professionals, the National Robotarium, TLTechSmart Home Solutions and more, who will share their entrepreneurial journeys and product development expertise. These sessions, held in person offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from the experts.
By joining an Innovation Masterclass, students will gain invaluable practical knowledge and skills which could set them apart in their academic and career pursuits. Don't miss out on this chance to turn your business ideas into reality and shape your future!
Innovation Masterclasses in summary
Programme: View the programme.
Available masterclasses: Students may click on the below titles to register for the following masterclasses they would like to attend. Due to limited capacity, this programme is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Aberdeen:
Dundee:
Edinburgh:
Inverness: NEW DATE!
Age Range: S1 – S3
Location: Various locations across Scotland, including Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Inverness. Students may pick which masterclass they wish to attend based on their location.
Date: Various - see above
Run Time: 45 – 120 mins.
Cost to take part: free!
For any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TechFest were kindly awarded a grant from the Justtransition Fund to create our EnergyXplorer Toolkit. This toolkit has allowed us to keep on doing some of our most popular workshops based around renewable energy, as well as develop new and exciting activities as our energy mix changes with time. Check out this link for a summary of where this EnergyXplorer Toolkit has been used already this year, and get excited for our new and upcoming workshops featuring the power of Hydrogen!
We are delighted to bring you Aberdeen Science Festival; a celebration of STEM and cutting edge research happening here in Aberdeen.
To help you plan your visit and make the most of your experience, we have created a handy guide on what to expect.
In this document you will find information about the venues, parking, public transport and more.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Aberdeen Science Festival and hope you have an inspiring and enjoyable time exploring the wonders of science!
Download the What to expect at Aberdeen Science Festival document.
