WATCH: Caithness International Science Festival 2022 gets off to a cracking start with a popping good experiment
Caithness International Science Festival (CISF) 2022 held its official launch event on Tuesday evening with one live experiment having many audience members launch out their seats with surprise.
Professor Iain Baikie, chair of Science 03 which organises the CISF, spoke to the public along with participants at the festival and invited guests at the official launch in Wick High School. He said: "Welcome to the launch event for our 20th Science Festival – can you imagine that it has been 20 years?
"We normally run our festival during Science Week in March, but had to postpone this year due to the pandemic restrictions. A small group of scientists and engineers got together in September 2002 to start a science festival and we ran our first event in 2003 in Wick and Thurso High Schools and that is why we are called Science 03."
Prof Baikie continued by telling the audience that his motivation for starting a science festival was to "show children that science was fun" and how he hoped children would be motivated to learn about STEM subjects by inviting talented presenters along to speak.
Speaking after the introduction, Prof Baikie paid a tribute to "the wonderfully talented Nicola Macleod" who is the festival coordinator. "She's really the person behind the festival now and does so much – we wouldn't have a festival without her."
Prof Baikie introduced guest speaker Councillor Struan Mackie, the Provost of Thurso, who said it was "fantastic to see the festival back" after the Covid hiatus. "The programme of events will bring great opportunities for all generations and the chance to interact with science, technology, maths and engineering – which could provide the spark for someone starting a career or gaining a lifelong interest."
Cllr Mackie said his grandfather had been an engineer and though he loved the "idea of science and engineering" he did not pursue this is a career but "always kept a keen interest" in these disciplines.
Fellow Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Ron Gunn was also at the opening night event. "I've been helping out with the science festival committee for a few years," he said.
"They've got some great presenters and the fun day is always excellent with hundreds of people coming along and enjoying themselves. It's very educational too. There's plenty to see for all ages."
The acting rector of Wick High School, Sebastian Sandecki, said he was delighted that the CISF was back on the calendar and that the school was hosting it once again. "It's an amazing event and we've really missed it over the last couple of years. It gives the local community the chance to visit and see such inspirational science," he said.
"It targets all groups, all ages and all walks of life, inspiring little children and adults. There's a talk, for example, about disturbed sleep and the science behind sleep at the Pentland Hotel on Wednesday which is a topic that will interest many adults, teenagers as well as children. This is a community school and we welcome all to come to the Family Fun Day event on Saturday."
After the introductions there was a special introductory session by Mark Thompson with his Spectacular Science Show which included one experiment with popping plastic tubs that had a fair number of the audience jump out their seats.
CISF 2022 will host many presenters and workshops including the Critter Keeper from Aberdeen; Dynamic Earth which explores the deep sea and space; Techfest from Aberdeen presenting Geology Rocks and Glorious Germs; and Glasgow Science Centre, with two teams presenting Bodyworks and Powering the Future.
The Fun Day event on Saturday at Wick High School runs from noon until 4pm. There will be 24 different booths/presenters, shows and talks in the dance studio, a planetarium, live animals, local businesses and community groups. The school café will be open and is being run by the local youth club.
For more information visit the CISF 2022 website at: www.science03.org/events/
