ScienceSouth Board of Trustees Host Dr. Simon Gage

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Source: Florence Morning News

Florence, SC - The Pee Dee region has a great tradition of family festivals that celebrate agriculture, historic events, and regions, but what about celebrating science and technology?

ScienceSouth was eager to investigate how it might involve more families in science and technology learning activities and as result, invited Dr. Simon Gage a world leader in science communication to discuss science festivals. Hood Temple, ScienceSouth Chairman introduced Dr. Simon Gage, Director of the Edinburgh International Science Festival, to an audience of ScienceSouth's supporters and science enthusiasts. Gage was in Florence Tuesday, June 20 to deliver a presentation about science festivals in the hopes of generating interest to start one in the Pee Dee.

During the Easter season in Edinburgh, Scotland 70,000 people come to participate in the 14-day science festival. The festival features 100 activities and events including shows, workshops, presentations, hands-on activities, exhibitions and tours. The 18-year-old event has the distinction of being one of the largest public celebrations of science and technology in the world.

ScienceSouth Program Manager Retha Kelly-Horne would like to see that same thirst for science in Edinburgh encouraged in the Pee Dee.

"We need more parent and adult interaction and if we're going to overcome that stigma that science in inaccessible, then this is the way to start," Kelly-Horne said. "ScienceSouth has proven that we have the means to reach a large number of kids and adults."

Gage said a mobile philosophy is what's needed when trying to start a science festival. ScienceSouth's dynamic nature fits right into Gage's recommendation. He also left the group with some advice.

"Start with a series of smaller science festivals in the region." Gage instructed. He said in doing so, it would start to put science and technology into the mainstream.

Increasing knowledge of science and technology in society is not always an easy task. Gage acknowledged that before Edinburgh's City Council started the festival, the city primarily celebrated the arts not science. However, times and minds have changed regarding science and Gage considers that an accomplishment.

"People now in Edinburgh except that you can have a science festival," he said.

Gage said that science festivals "give kids ah-ha! moments and adults the opportunity to explore science". He added that this is all part of engaging the public with science and technology, is a vital part of ScienceSouth's mission.

Dr. Gage is the Director of the Edinburgh Science Festival. The Edinburgh Science Festival is one of the world's largest public celebrations of science and technology. The Festival, which takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland every Easter and attracts 70,000 people to the city. The Festival targets people of all ages with its creative and informative program of science experiments, activities, debates and live performances.

Simon is recognized internationally for his promotion of life-long learning. He believes that it is important to impart enthusiasm and not just information in science education. He advocates integrating entertainment with science and he is well known for his creativity in attracting media attention through events and competitions. For further information visit www.sciencefestival.co.uk