Visitors to Aberdeen Science Centre will be able to dive into digital discovery as it continues its Digital Futures Partnership with Equinor for another year.
The sponsorship agreement, which is now in its fifth year, will see Aberdeen Science Centre deliver various digital skills workshops and coding-themed clubs across the next 12 months, thanks to generous funding from the Norway-headquartered international energy company.
With support from Equinor, Aberdeen Science Centre will also celebrate the upcoming National Digital Learning Week with a variety of engaging digital-focused activities on Saturday, 11 May and Sunday, 12 May. Standard ticket prices will apply across the weekend.
National Digital Learning Week is an annual event established by Education Scotland, running this year from Saturday, 11 May to Friday, 17 May.
The week encourages school pupils and teachers to embrace new innovations in digital education technologies and showcases the varied benefits of online learning.
Across National Digital Learning Week, Aberdeen Science Centre will engage with more than 300 pupils from nine Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire schools with workshops to enhance their understanding of digital technologies.
Visitors to the centre during the weekend will be able to take part in a range of digital-themed activities that can be found throughout its exhibition space, as well as a workshop designed to offer an introduction to the digital world.
The activities will include a Micro:bit handheld computer station in the centre’s Test It zone, which will allow families to learn simple coding skills by creating a ‘pet’, a drum kit, or a rock-paper-scissors game, and a Dash Robot station in the Make It Zone, which will see visitors guide a robot through a maze via a remote control or with block coding.
Junior visitors can discover more about programming through colours as they drive Sphero Indi robot cars through the coloured tiles in the designated Under 6s zone.
The digital-themed activities will also be available during a free day for members of local community groups on Saturday, 18 May.
Tickets for this occasion have been allocated by Aberdeen Science Centre to groups it engages with through its community programmes. The centre will remain open to the public on the day, with the usual ticket prices applying.
Lynda McConnach, public and digital programme coordinator at Aberdeen Science Centre, said: “We are honoured to continue our collaboration with Equinor through our Digital Futures Partnership, as we work together to encourage our visitors to discover more about the digital world though fun sessions and activities.
“National Digital Learning Week, which is now in its seventh year, is a true celebration of the modern ways of learning, and we are excited to introduce our special workshops and interactive floor stations that will allow our visitors to learn while they play.”
Arne Gürtner, senior vice president upstream at Equinor UK, said: “We are proud to work in partnership with the Aberdeen Science Centre to build interest and new capabilities in STEM – digitalisation is increasingly important both for society and for the energy industry to safely transition to a low carbon future.
“As we continue our journey to net zero, encouraging an early interest in STEM subjects is vital, and exposure to new technology and innovation for young people will be crucial as we work to decarbonise our sector.
“Our aim is to build further understanding of digitalisation and innovation as a core part of this, so we are delighted to continue as Digital Futures Partner of Aberdeen Science Centre.”
The partnership with Equinor also includes the continued support of Aberdeen Science Centre’s Coding Club and Junior Coders initiative, alongside managing the maintenance for the centre’s resident robot, RoboThespian.
The Coding Club will return to Aberdeen Science Centre later this year, offering children aged 6-12 the opportunity to explore coding and robotics across a series of four sessions during the summer holidays.
Based on Constitution Street near Aberdeen beach, ASC is home to almost 65 interactive exhibits, allowing people of all ages to discover topics including Space, Energy, Life Sciences, Engineering, and much more.
Open seven days a week, the VisitScotland 5-star rated visitor attraction also offers exclusive venue hire as well as room hire for corporate, social and private events, alongside corporate sponsorship opportunities.
Through invaluable sponsorships, Aberdeen Science Centre will continue developing impactful science engagements to the North-east of Scotland and help to safeguard the legacy of Scotland’s oldest science centre.
To book a visit to the centre or find out more about corporate support, visit https://aberdeensciencecentre.org/