Edinburgh Napier University

The two-week programme runs from 31 March to 15 April and is packed full of exciting events, with plenty to inspire and intrigue all ages.

But with so much going on, where do you start? We might be biased, but we think there’s no better choice than the fantastic events putting the spotlight on the stars of science and technology from Edinburgh Napier University!

Check out our handy guide to make sure you don’t miss out!

What does the classic story of a scientist bringing a monster to life have to do with ‘nearly human’ AI creations? Quite a lot, apparently! Edinburgh Napier University’s Dr Sarah Artt is hosting cross-disciplinary panel Let's Talk Frankly to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. As well as getting to grips with the cultural influence of the novel, the panel will connect its themes of collective and individual responsibility to the issues facing scientists today as we inch ever closer to waking artificial intelligence creations of our own...

You can catch the talk at 5.30-7pm on Monday 9 April at the Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Summerhall.

Do you know how to tell your beech from your birch? If not, never fear – the #Pianodrome Wood ID Workshop will tell you everything you never thought you needed to know about the work that goes in to crafting pianos. Join Daniel Ridley-Ellis and Stefan Lehneke from the Centre for Wood Technology at Edinburgh Napier University and Andrew Gibson of the Wood Technology Society to discover which wood is used for each part of the piano, from the tough hammers to the beautiful outer shell.

Come along to Inverleith House at the Royal Botanic Garden from 11am-1pm on Saturday 14 April.

Ever wondered what it would be like to create a picture using the movement of sound through water? Come along to Edinburgh Napier University’s very own presentation of Pop-up Science: CymaSense and try it yourself! The interactive tool allows you to create beautiful and colourful audio-visual impressions in three dimensions using a microphone or keyboard and a bespoke interactive table.

Drop in any time between 10am-5pm from Friday 6 to Tuesday 10 April at Hawthornden Court, National Museum of Scotland.

Being on a jury isn’t what it looks like on the TV – and if a jury member doesn’t fully understand the limitations and interpretations of evidence it could mean putting the innocent behind bars, or letting the guilty walk free. But Proof or Lies? seeks to clear up the confusion with an intriguing discussion featuring Edinburgh Napier lecturer Dr Faye Skelton, who will investigate the challenges of eye witness testimony in front of a High Court judge.

The event takes place from 5.30-7pm on Thursday 5 April at the Anatomy Lecture Theatre, Summerhall.

Three Edinburgh Napier colleagues will be taking part in the Science Festival as part of Edinburgh Skeptics, a society founded to promote science, reason and critical thinking. Don’t miss out on these thought-provoking talks from Dr Clare Taylor, Lee Curley and Dr Peter Barlow at the Banshee Labyrinth on April 3, 9 and 10.

Why not take part in the Family Day run in partnership at Heriot-Watt University, a day out packed with workshops and interactive events? You can drive your own underwater robot, take a virtual reality tour as microbes cleaning up oil spills, explore how scientists work with light and sound, and much more!

Drop in between 10am and 4pm on Saturday 14 April at Oriam.

Following a long association with the Maker Faire, Edinburgh Napier researchers and students will be back in 2018 for the Edinburgh Mini Maker Faire. Come along to see the ingenuity and creativity coming out of local maker spaces, be inspired to make your own creations and get tips and tricks from those in the know.

Drop in between 10am and 5pm on Sunday 15 April at Summerhall.