Edinburgh Science: Driving Science Education and Advancement Worldwide

Founded in 1989, Edinburgh Science is a leading educational charity dedicated to inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the world around them. With its diverse range of initiatives, the organization seeks to make science accessible and engaging for everyone.

One of its most well-known initiatives is the annual Science Festival held in Edinburgh, which was the world’s first festival of science and technology and remains one of Europe’s largest. The festival spans two weeks and offers a variety of events and experiences for both adults and families, showcasing the wonders of science in innovative ways.

In addition to its annual festival, Edinburgh Science places a strong emphasis on education through programs such as Generation Science, which brings science to life for primary schools across Scotland throughout the year. The organization also hosts an annual Careers Hive event that promotes careers in STEM fields to young people. Its commitment to environmental issues is reflected in its programming on climate change and the environment, as seen in the awarding of the Edinburgh Medal to Christiana Figueres in 2019 for her role in the Paris Climate agreement.

Inspired by Figueres’ visit, Edinburgh Science established the Climate Co-Lab, a platform for various sectors to collaborate and generate ideas to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future. The outcomes of the Climate Co-Lab include initiatives like The NetZeroToolkit, a free online resource for SMEs to develop carbon management strategies. Furthermore, Edinburgh Science shares its knowledge and expertise internationally through Edinburgh Science Worldwide, engaging in large-scale international projects and events.

As a Major Programming Partner of the Abu Dhabi Science Festival, Edinburgh Science helps curate and deliver the event, providing content, advice on programming, and training for science communicators. Through its initiatives and collaborations, Edinburgh Science continues to drive forward its mission of fostering a love for science and inspiring curiosity in people around the world.