Excitement is building for the return of the Orkney International Science Festival, which will be held across the islands between 5 – 11 September this year.
The programme is packed with its usual mix of walks, talks, and workshops, covering everything from marine habitats in Japan, to renewable energy developments in Orkney.
We’ve picked out some of our own highlights from the events calendar that would be well worth seeking out.
Living on the Moon!
Humans last set foot on the Moon more than 50 years ago, but now governments and companies are planning a series of missions to Earth’s closest neighbour once again. Join Prof. Mahesh Anand of The Open University as he explains why Moon missions are back in vogue and how it could be used as a technology testbed for exploring Mars and asteroids.
Meadows Beneath the Waves
Seagrass is a ‘super habitat’ that could prove vital in the fight against climate change. It's the only true plant in the ocean, complete with root systems, leaves, flowers, and seeds. As well as providing an important habitat for marine life, it’s also responsible for around 11% of the organic carbon buried in the ocean. Seagrass is widely found throughout Orkney and plants from our waters have recently been used as part of conservation and restoration work across Scotland. Prof. Joanne Porter from Heriot-Watt University will join Dr Esther Thomsen and Katy Waring from Project Seagrass to discuss their work locally and further afield over the last few years.
Sagas and Seascapes
St Magnus Cathedral is the venue for this performance of music, film, and art. Nordic Viola’s Sagas and Seascapes was commissioned for the Science Festival’s online programme post-COVID in 2021. It was performed live for the first time in Edinburgh in 2022 before being taken on tour by the group alongside contemporary Faroese ensemble, Aldubáran. They’ll join forces in the atmospheric cathedral to celebrate the many musical and cultural connections between Scotland and the Faroe Islands in this special event.
Swimming with Gravitational Waves
This unique display will give folk the chance to enjoy a swim with a difference at the Pickaquoy Centre. Dr Andrew Spencer from Glasgow University will provide an introduction to gravitational waves before guests put on their swimwear and goggles for a very special experience. Audiovisual artists Leon Trimble and Joel Cahen will send music above and below the surface of the centre’s swimming pool, letting swimmers literally dive into sound.
The Making of the Pentland Firth
It has a fearsome reputation with seafarers around the world, not to mention generations of Orcadian travellers, but how much do we really know about the Pentland Firth? This new film from Selena S. Kuzman looks at how the Firth formed, and how its coast has evolved through ice, waves, and storms. Edinburgh-based geomorphologist, Dr Adrian Hall, is joined by Katy Firth from Stromness Museum and Mara Gibb from the UHI in Caithness to explore the shores of Hoy, the sea cliffs of Caithness, and the island of Stroma.
Family Day
The traditional centrepiece of the festival, this is the perfect opportunity for young folk to get enthused about science, exploring a range of fun and interactive exhibits. This year they’ll be able to hear the sounds of whales and dolphins and learn all about bats, including Orkney’s common pipistrelle. VR headsets will also be on hand to take bairns on a trip to the International Space Station and onto the depths of the solar system. There are plenty of other hands-on events to enjoy on the day, and there’s a range of other family-orientated activities and performances throughout the entire festival.
These are just some of the many highlights to be found at this year’s Orkney International Science Festival. View the full programme online and book your tickets now. The festival will be held across Orkney between the 5th and 11th September 2024.