‘WE RECREATE WHAT IT TAKES OUR BODIES SEVERAL HOURS TO DO'
T Of. 0 tOfO The Edinburgh International Science Festival is 20 years old this March, but as Kelly Apter discovers, you're never too old to talk about poo
ince 1988. the lidinhurgh International Science
Festival has proved that the vv'ords ‘science' and
‘l‘un‘ are not mutually exclusive. Indeed. the Festival‘s extensive programme of hands-on events has become a highlight in the interactive kiddie calendar.
This year the liestiv'al is bigger than ever. with venues across the city getting involved. As Usual. the ‘Wonderama‘ vvill take over the Assembly Rooms. offering a range ot‘ activities from robot building to animal handling. vvhile at the Royal Museum. a series ot‘ events vvill help children — and accompanying adults — look at life from a dil‘t‘erent angle. None more so than ‘Hovv To Make The Perfect Poo‘. a fun shovv exploring what goes on inside tis betvveen table and toilet.
‘We all know that vve eat t‘ood and at some point vve go to the toilet.‘ says Hannah Crookes. Education Manager at Dundee science centre. Sensation. ‘but vvhat happens inbetvveen is a really exciting journey
that‘s going on all the time. And during the course of
an hour-long shovv. vve recreate vvhat it takes our bodies several hours to do.‘ With the help of giant ragdoll. Stut't‘ee. Crookes and volunteers from the audience discover bovv our food travels from a to b. ‘Stut't'ee’s got the same organs as tis.‘ explains Crookes. ‘So vve take them out and see vvhat they do. and then identity vvhich ones are involved in the digestive process.'
The hands-on approach continues. with volunteers mashing up food. squashing it in a bag and squeezing it through a tube. replicating vvhat our mouths. stomachs and small intestines do every day. vvith the eventual hope that the audience. young and old. vvill pick tip a few pointers on the importance ot~ eating healthily.
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Meanvvhile. at the Royal Botanic (iardens. a vast programme of largely free events vvill tackle the vveighty subject ot~ climate change. I’rom recycling to composting and growing your ovvn food. there are hands-on activities for all ages. But hovv do you make climate change t‘un and engaging t'oi' children‘.’ "It's challenging.‘ says Head ol' Development. .\likc Robinson. 'But it's unbelievably important and every child should knovv about it. The science is pretty much unequivocal. so there's no point in Us just reiterating that there's a problem. We want to look at the practical things you can do to make a positive dil'l‘ercncef
According to Robinson. there are a number ot‘
important changes vve could make to help the environment. some ol‘ vvhich vvould have a positive effect on all areas of our lives. The vvorkshops reintorce lessons children are already learning at school. but vvhile teaching the younger generation about their impact on the vvorld is no bad thing. Robinson doesn‘t vvant the burden to tall solely on them.
“Children are very receptive to inlormation about climate change and they do a lot ol‘ good by bringing those messages home to their parents.~ he says. ‘But I don't vvant to delegate responsibility to them — it's detinitely tis grovvn-ups that need to sort this out novv. We don't have the luxury ot‘ vvaiting t'or children to grovv’ up and sort it out.‘
Edinburgh International Science Festival, Tue 25 Mar-Sat 5 Apr. See www.www.sciencefestival.co.uk for full programme details.
.listoo.u
cl: Wonderama Buy a day
pass and spend hours exploring the countless tun. interactive exhibits and workshops which make up the Wonderama. A highlight of the Edinburgh lnternational SCience Festival. Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, until Sat :3 Apr.
Olga Volt, The Electric Fairy The very wonderful Shona Reppe turns into a Russian fairy in this quirky puppet show for ages 6+. Part Of the Puppet Animation Festival. Gilniorehi/lG 12. Glasgow, Fri 4 Apr.
=i< How to Make the Perfect Poo Don't pretend you're not curious. Find out iust what your body needs to produce a nice, healthy deposn each morning. National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, until Sun 30 Mar. 2% Heelie-go-Leerie Licketyspit. the peOple behind Molly Wbuppi'e and Wee Witches present this new tale about three children who lose themselves in a world of imaginary play. Platform, Glasgow. Thu 27—Sat 29 Mar. >l< Dr Bunhead’s Crash Test Jelly Babies The maddest scientist of all entertains young and old with his exploding dolls and combusting jelly babies. Part of the Edinburgh International Soience Festival. National Museum of Scotland. Edinburgh, Tue 7 —Ffl 4 Apr.
>l< Kids Percussion Workshops Edinburgh's Ceilidh Culture festival lets the kids in on the action with this fun workshop from Danish group. Svobsk. Use their instruments or bring your own. Museum of Childhood. Edinburgh, Sat 5 Apr.