TechFest and the Rowett Institute are delighted to be an official livestream venue for this year’s Christmas Lectures from the Royal Institution.
Join us to watch the lectures come to life in real time, and be the first to discover the truth about food from Dr Chris van Tulleken.
This event is perfect for all the family - children and people of all ages can come and watch the magic of the Lectures unfold in real time as they’re filmed in front of an audience in the Ri’s Theatre in London. They’ll have the chance to get involved with hands-on activities and be the first to learn the truth about food before the 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES are broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer in late December.
This year’s speaker, Dr Chris Van Tulleken, is a NHS doctor, author and experienced science communicator and it proves to be an entertaining evening with fact fuelled demos, guest appearances and festive food hacks. Chris will investigate how food has fundamentally shaped human evolution, uncovers the importance of our microbiome – as the extra ‘organ’ we didn’t know we had – and asks how we can all eat better in future, for the sake of our own health and the health of the planet.
Event Information
Doors open at 5:15 – Interactive activities with scientists from Rowett Institute
6pm – 8pm ; Live stream from London
This event is suitable for age 11+, adults, teens and student audiences. Please note under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Frequently asked questions
What age range are the CHRISTMAS LECTURES suitable for?
The CHRISTMAS LECTURES are aimed at an audience of 11-17 year olds, however they are accessible for people of all ages and all levels of scientific knowledge. They are typically watched by families together – a Christmas family tradition on the BBC.
Will Professor Dr Chris van Tulleken be there in person?
No Dr Chris van Tulleken will not be present in person, but you will be able to watch his presentations via the livestream on the big screen.
Will you get to see the behind the scenes of the RI Christmas lectures?
Yes, you will get full access to behind the scenes and watch the Royal Institute as they film the Christmas Lecture live from their Historic Theatre in London
Do I have to come to both talks?
No each session stands alone but you are welcome to come to as many as you wish.
When does the event start?
Doors will open at 5.15pm where you can grab a bite to eat with refreshments being served. Seated for 6pm at the start of the livestream.
Will there be a chance to meet any researchers?
Yes we are delighted to be partnering with the Rowett Institute. University researchers will showcase their work throughout the evening giving members of the public a chance to interact with their exhibits and ask questions.
Where is the event taking place?
Both Christmas Lectures will be live streamed from the Rowett Institute, Foresterhill Campus, Ashgrove Rd W, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD
How to do I find the Rowett Institute on the Foresterhill Campus?
Driving
Entering the city from the south or west, follow signs for the A90 (Fraserburgh and Peterhead). This leads round the ring road (Anderson Drive). Exit right (A9011) onto Ashgrove Road West, continue beyond the junction with Foresterhill Road, then turn right on to Cornhill Road when the bus turning area is close to the Medical School car park. From the north, Foresterhill is approached via the A96 (from Dyce and Inverness) and the A90 (from Peterhead) and thence to the A90 (North) Anderson Drive.
Foresterhill Postcode: AB25 2ZD GPS: Lat: 57:09:23N (57.15634), Lon: 2:08:05W (-2.1346) Grid Ref: NJ919072
Parking after 5pm is free on the Foresterhill Campus.
Public transport
Numbers 3/3A/3B/3S will take you from Guild Street (near Aberdeen Bus and Train stations) to the main entrance of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Foresterhill Road.
Number 23 will take you from Union Street to Harcourt Road Stop, a 10-minute walk away from Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and the Foresterhill Campus.
Nearest Stops to Foresterhill Campus
You can also use the Stagecoach service from Guild Street or Union Square Bus station to the main entrance of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on Foresterhill Road.
When will the CHRISTMAS LECTURES be on tv?
The 2024 CHRISTMAS LECTURES to be broadcast on BBC Four and iPlayer in late December. Exact broadcast details will be confirmed when the BBC announce their Christmas schedules in early December.
How can I watch past CHRISTMAS LECTURES?
You can watch our archive of Christmas lectures here on the RI’s website: https://www.rigb.org/christmas-lectures/watch-royal-institution-christmas-lectures-archive
Welcome to TechFest Talks, Space into Energy Edition!
In this series students talk with professionals from the energy and space sectors and discover the exciting world of STEM - science, technology, engineering, mathematics.
Click on your favourite podcast platform icon to listen.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ON THE FOLLOWING PLATFORMS
Learn more about Space Into Energy project.
As the nights draw in and the weather is dreich, you can still enjoy the wonder of TechFest without setting a foot outdoors.
Join like-minded people from around the world for the Scotland’s Digital Science Festival and participate in a myriad of activities and presentations from the comfort of your own armchair.
All events are FREE to attend, except for the thrilling Locked Room game. Registration is required for all events.
Just click the ‘Book Now’ button next to your chosen event to secure your spot today.
With faster technological advancements and the continued rise of the digital age, many employers are looking for candidates who have a passion for innovation.
TechFest’s ‘STEM into Innovation’, supported by the NCR Foundation, takes students on an exploration into product design and development, while putting their STEM skills to the test!
Unlock Your Creativity with Innovation Masterclasses!
Step into the world of innovation with our dynamic series of masterclasses tailored for S1-S3 students (ages 12-15) across Scotland. Dive into the exciting realm of product design through immersive activities designed to ignite your creativity and problem-solving skills.
Collaborate with industry professionals, the National Robotarium, TLTechSmart Home Solutions and more, who will share their entrepreneurial journeys and product development expertise. These sessions, held in person offer a unique opportunity to learn directly from the experts.
By joining an Innovation Masterclass, students will gain invaluable practical knowledge and skills which could set them apart in their academic and career pursuits. Don't miss out on this chance to turn your business ideas into reality and shape your future!
Innovation Masterclasses in summary
Programme: View the programme.
Available masterclasses: Students may click on the below titles to register for the following masterclasses they would like to attend. Due to limited capacity, this programme is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Aberdeen:
Dundee:
Edinburgh:
Inverness:
Age Range: S1 – S3
Location: Various locations across Scotland, including Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Inverness. Students may pick which masterclass they wish to attend based on their location.
Date: Various - see above
Run Time: 45 – 120 mins.
Cost to take part: free!
For any questions, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
TechFest were kindly awarded a grant from the Justtransition Fund to create our EnergyXplorer Toolkit. This toolkit has allowed us to keep on doing some of our most popular workshops based around renewable energy, as well as develop new and exciting activities as our energy mix changes with time. Check out this link for a summary of where this EnergyXplorer Toolkit has been used already this year, and get excited for our new and upcoming workshops featuring the power of Hydrogen!
Aberdeen Science Festival Powered by TechFest is back this September 2025, and this year we aim to be bigger, bolder, and more mind-blowing than ever!
We’re on the hunt for extraordinary ideas – whether it’s a jaw-dropping activity, an electrifying workshop, a captivating talk or an awe-inspiring take on science and technology.
The Call is NOW OPEN for ideas from the public and proposals from partners. This is your chance to play a key role in creating a festival that inspires, educates, and amazes, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who attends. Whether you are a member of the public, a science communicator or a STEM Specialist, please click below accordingly to submit your fantastic idea!
-> Public Ideas
-> Science Communicators, Event Partners and STEM Specialists Proposals
If you want to talk to the team, please contact us on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Please note that all submissions will be acknowledged within 3 working days.
Let’s make Aberdeen Science Festival 2025 unforgettable!
View Aberdeen Science Festival 2024 programme of events below
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Welcome to TechFest's Schools Science Festival 2025
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Festival dates:
Schools Week - Monday 26 May – Friday 30 May
Activity Weekend - Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June
TechFest is delighted to present its Schools Science Festival workshops for 2025 - an exciting line-up of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), all chosen with the capacities, principles, experiences and outcomes of Curriculum for Excellence in mind. View available workshops and activities and book your space today!
For more details please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Join our mailing list to be the first to receive lates updates.
The Food & Drink sector (including Agriculture and Fisheries) is the 3rd largest sector employer, comprising approx. 120,000 workers. But, despite significant growth, the media’s depiction of farming often doesn’t highlight the vast range of career paths that must come together to maintain our nation’s food security.
In a new programme for 2024, we aim to change this perception by highlighting the various STEM-based competencies and meta-skills required to keep Scotland’s agriculture industry moving and thriving.
Welcome to ‘TechFest’s STEM on the Farm’
‘TechFest’s STEM on the Farm’ is a five-day programme (delivered one day per week over five weeks) that invites P6 pupils from schools across the North East of Scotland to participate in project-based, curriculum-linked learning and explore each stage of the food production supply chain.
Aimed at P6 pupils, each day of the programme addresses a part of the food production process, including the work of agricultural engineers, farm workers, food scientists, logistics experts, etc. Guided by expert STEM Ambassadors from each section of the supply chain, pupils develop their STEM knowledge through immersive workshops and discover the impact agricultural innovations have on food production.
The knowledge they gain from the programme is then used to create eye-catching display boards and instruct the script for an end-of-project assembly attended by parents, carers, and the school community.
By participating in ‘TechFest’s STEM on the Farm’, pupils learn about food security, climate impact, health & nutrition, modern agricultural innovations, animal care, and how STEM plays a vital role in all of these.
By highlighting how these young people could be part of the generation that makes food production more secure with less environmental impact, the programme sends a powerful and long-lasting message that they can see play out in their daily lives every time they sit down to eat.
Interview with Stuart Common, Managing Director at Mackie's of Scotland
Interview with Sahar Abdulla, Geoscientist in Energy Transition
Interview with Vince Chukwu (PhD), Postdoctoral Research Fellow, University of Aberdeen
For more information please email Sarah Chew at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
