Local visitor attraction launches digital and coding activities in time for summer 

Aberdeen Science Centre has extended its partnership with Equinor for another year, setting the stage for a summer of digital and coding fun. 

The sponsorship agreement, now in its sixth year, will see Aberdeen Science Centre deliver various digital skills workshops and coding-themed experiences across the summer as part of its ‘Game On!' theme, thanks to the generous support from the Norway-headquartered international energy company.   

Available from Saturday, July 5, the centre’s new Game Designer Workshop will allow visitors to build their own playable arcade game, giving them an introduction to coding and game design as they add fun features and customise their own games. 

Aimed at visitors aged 7 and over, this workshop will take participants through a beginner's guide to programming, however more experienced coders will be also able to take part in advanced challenges.  

For younger coders and gamers visiting the centre this summer, special junior activities will be available in the designated Under 6’s Zone, which will explore introductory coding concepts through stories and games. 

'Coding on the Spot’ areas can also be found throughout the centre, allowing visitors to discover more about machine learning by training a micro:bit robot, alongside other fun and interactive demonstrations. 

All of Aberdeen Science Centre’s ‘Game On!’-themed experiences will be available during weekends and the Aberdeen City school summer holidays until Sunday, August 31. 

In addition to the digital gaming theme, Equinor’s sponsorship includes the support of the centre’s Community Engagement Programme, funding the development and running of a one-day outreach science festival in Peterhead later this summer, and its Schools Engagement Programme by providing free visits and transport for 200 school pupils. Equinor will also continue managing the maintenance for the centre’s resident robot, RoboThespian. 

Calli Buchanan, public programme coordinator at Aberdeen Science Centre, said:
“We are honoured to extend our long-running partnership with Equinor as we introduce our new digital-themed activities this summer, offering visitors a fun day out unlike any other. Our new workshops and activities will provide a beginner-friendly introduction to the world of coding, as we aim to inspire the next generation of computer programmers and game developers. 

“Thanks to the generous and invaluable support of our corporate partners, we are able to continue creating new and exciting science engagements that ensure every visit to Aberdeen Science Centre is different from the last.” 

Camilla Salthe, senior vice president upstream at Equinor UK, said:
“We are proud to continue working 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 be digital futures partner of Aberdeen Science Centre.” 

Alongside the new coding activities, Aberdeen Science Centre is further embracing new technologies with the recent introduction of Virtual Reality (VR) experiences. Included within the standard ticket price, visitors can step into digital worlds as they find themselves in the mouth of a shark, stand atop a wind turbine and shrink down to travel inside the human body.   

The centre’s summer VR activities will focus on the wonders of outer space as visitors explore bold new frontiers when they spacewalk a mile in an astronaut’s shoes.  

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, Aberdeen Science Centre also offers exclusive venue hire as well as room hire for corporate, social and private events, alongside corporate sponsorship opportunities.  

Through these 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, click here.

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