Edinburgh Science Festival: DiscoveryLab
Play the role of scientist and let your curiosity run wild as you discover our living laboratory at the City Art Centre!
About Edinburgh Science Festival: DiscoveryLab
Our newly reimagined experience at the City Art Centre – play the role of scientist and let your curiosity run wild as you discover our living laboratory!
Explore five floors packed with hands-on activities designed for all the family to get involved in. Children aged 5–11 can also book entry to one of our premium workshops.
Where possible we will update our listings to notify of cancelled, postponed and rescheduled events, however we STRONGLY ADVISE that you check with the venue/organiser in the first instance for updates.
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Other Events at City Art Centre or Edinburgh Science Festival
Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000
Scheduled to complement John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture, this survey exhibition examines the wider context of post-war Scottish art.
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Opening Gala: First Women of Science
Scotland's past is filled with amazing women who changed the scientific path of history forever. Come and hear from those who have been ‘the first women’ in Scotland!
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The Rocks of Roslin: Swamps and Streams
The rocks of Midlothian once provided limestone for agriculture, stone for building and coal for power. Come along and see the record of past warmer climates, in a landscape formed by ice!
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Exclusive Viewing: The Great Instauration
For the 2026 Edinburgh Science Festival artist Gayle Chong Kwan has created a new art installation, 'The Great Instauration', hosted in the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland.
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Future Voices: The AI Ethics Podcast
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Spill the Tea Tour: Earth Matters
Join this guided tour of 'Earth Matters', led by a member of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's Creative Programmes team on Sunday 5th April!
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Once Upon a Lab
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Positive Tipping Points: How to Fix the Climate Crisis
How do we get out of a climate crisis of our own making? Take an optimistic look at how we can all play a part in triggering positive tipping points to avoid the worst dangers to our future climate.
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Adventures Inside Your Brain
Join 'Inside Your Brain' authors Professor Caswell Barry and Lucy Ann Unwin for an interactive trip through brain science history.
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Marine Monsters
Join Marine Biologist and YouTuber Dr Elizabeth Mills to celebrate the weirdest and most wonderful sea creatures that you can find on Scotland’s shores!
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Arctic, Antarctic... and a Dash of Mars
Join Dr Niamh Shaw, ESA Champion in Space Education and fellow of The Explorers Club, on a warm and witty journey from the Arctic to Antarctica… with a playful dash of Mars!
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Why We Love Our Pets
Join psychology and human–animal interaction experts for an evening uncovering the science behind our love for pets.
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Jurassic Juniors Storytelling
Join us at Dynamic Earth for a 'roarsome' storytelling session suitable for children under 6 years!
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Astronaut Training
Calling all budding astronauts! Come and join us at Dynamic Earth for a session that will get you ready to head to space!
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Flying High
Learn about the Scottish engineering inventions that made international travel possible through fun family activities at the National Museum of Flight Scotland, part of Edinburgh Science Festival!
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Sick Day Detectives
Do you know what makes someone sick? Join our team of Sick Day Detectives as we investigate how our friend Alex ended up with a cold!
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The Future of Water: Working in Tune with Nature
Join Arup’s Global Water Lead Dr Mark Fletcher to find out what happens when the world's most essential resource starts to behave in unexpected ways?
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Zebrafish: A Splash of Science and Art
Dive into the world of zebrafish research and discover why these little fish are so big in science at this interactive and creative workshop for Ages 5+.
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(AI) Life Begins at 50
Join our AI-focused workshop designed especially for adults aged 50 and over and enjoy fun games, interactive activities, and real conversations about how AI can support everyday life!
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Wee, Poo, Snot!
Join us at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh on Tuesday 7th April for a fun-filled, interactive medical show for all ages!
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Stitch and Fly
Join us to discover how biologists use the humble fruit fly to explore how hormones affect the functioning and growth of our bodies.
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Hutton in Edinburgh
Step into the 1700s and walk through Edinburgh's landscape with philosopher James Hutton and his famous Scottish Enlightenment companions, exploring Hutton's theory of a dynamic Earth.
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Creature Connections
Join the Edinburgh Zoo expert animal experiences team for an exclusive engaging and fun animal antics show and have the chance to join in the action yourself! !
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Body Defenders: The Germ-Fighting Game!
Put on your lab coat to explore the hidden forces that keep us healthy in this hands-on workshop at the National Museum of Scotland on Wednesday 8th April!
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Bake it Global: The Science of Scotland’s Food & Drink
Join Dr Josh Smalley and Peter Sawkins, two 'Great British Bake Off' stars, on a mouth-watering, science-fuelled tour of Scotland’s iconic exports!
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Science is Magic!
Science is Magic uncovers the astonishing biology behind everyday life in this fun, surprising, and completely unforgettable show as part of Edinburgh Science Festival.
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Giants in the Kitchen: Big Science, Up Close
Step into the world of giants with Dr Josh Smalley and Peter Sawkins two 'Great British Bake Off' stars and explore the science behind baking inspired by colossal creatures!
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Your Language-Learning Superpower
Is “bnick” a word? You know it's not — but how do you know? And why does it take modern AI many lifetimes worth of words to get almost as good at language as you are?
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Spotlight Talk: Herbology
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Planetarium Lates: Jurassic Park
Join Alan Grant and Ellie Sattler on this classic adventure as they come face-to-face with the prehistoric creatures of Jurassic Park!
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Getting Bogged Down
Get your hands dirty with University of Edinburgh scientists researching the weird, wonderful and vital ecosystems of Peatbogs!
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One Day. One Play. One Prompt.
Are you a musician, actor, dancer, comedian, magician, or any kind of creative performer? Join our AI-powered workshop and help create a brand-new show from concept to curtain call in just one day!
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The Future of Livestock Farming
From avian flu-resistant chickens to livestock resilient to climate change, gene editing offers a more precise way to build on centuries of traditional breeding.
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Planetarium Lates: Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon
Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon' planetarium experience is back as part of Edinburgh Science Festival, it truly is a unique way to experience this iconic album!
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Wildlife on the Rocks
Join us for an exclusive evening talk where you will hear all about the latest conservation research from leading experts at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland!
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Rocks Uncovered: A Geological Walk with Vojta Hybl
Join nature illustrator, author and educator Vojta Hybl for a hands-on exploration of Edinburgh's local geological landscape!
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Planetarium Lates: The Lost World: Jurassic Park
Settle in for a movie night like no other, and watch The Lost World: Jurassic Park at Dynamic Earth on Friday 10th April!
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FameLab UK 26 - Scottish Finals
Join Edinburgh Science and Cheltenham Festivals for the ultimate evening of quick-fire science as we host the Scottish Regional Finals of FameLab UK 2026!
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A Crack in Everything
Award-winning writer Marcus Chown tells the story of how black holes came in from the cold and presents the latest discoveries as part of Edinburgh Science Festival.
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Health or Hype: AI in Biomedicine
In this interactive event, discover how researchers are using AI to detect tumours, make sense of rich health data, and reveal new insights into the biology of complex diseases.
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Planetarium Lates: Jurassic World
Settle in for a movie night like no other with Jurassic World at Dynamic Earth's Planetaruim Lates on Saturday 11th April!
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Planetarium Family Films: The Land Before Time
Kick off your day at Edinburgh Science Festival with a visit to Dynamic Earth's Planetarium for some roar-some films!
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Bad Influence - How the Internet Hijacked Our Health
As NHS waiting times increase and face-to-face GP appointments decline, influencers have stepped into the breach.
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Space Journal: The Art and Science of Cosmic Exploration
Space Journal is a visual celebration of our perception of the cosmos, and our efforts to reach it, from the seventeenth century to the present day.
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Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival
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Planetarium Family Films: Ice Age III
Enjoy a Jurassic journey with your little explorers in this one-of-a-kind cinema experience at Dynamic Earths Planetarium as part of Edinburgh Science Festival.
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Planetarium Lates: Godzilla
Settle in for a movie night like no other as humanity faces the awakening of ancient monsters, leading to an epic battle for survival against the colossal Godzilla!
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Edinburgh Science Festival: An Evening with Astronaut Helen Sharman
In this special event join Helen Sharman, the first British astronaut, as she shares her unique, personal experiences from her historic 1991 mission aboard the Mir space station.
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Edinburgh Science Festival: Hamza Yassin’s Adventures in Nature
Hamza Yassin, everyone's favourite wildlife cameraman, returns to the Edinburgh Science Festival to share stories from his adventures!
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Are We Alone? What Faith Says About Extraterrestrials
The discovery of extraterrestrial intelligence would raise significant questions for people's faith. Expect debate, big questions, and audience participation at this lively, interactive event!
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Edinburgh Medal Address: Mania, Genius, and Character
This year's Edinburgh Medal is presented to Kay Redfield Jamison PhD, a world-renowned clinical psychologist recognised for reshaping global perspectives on mood disorders and their treatment.
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Licence to Stress
In a world of constant pressure, your body deploys a secret agent to keep you safe: the stress hormone cortisol. Yet when pushed too far, this trusted operative can go rogue, sabotaging your health.
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Journey Into Space Storytelling
Get ready to blast off in this space themed storytelling session!
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Edinburgh Science Festival: Splat-tastic
Get your goo on in this interactive workshop as part of Edinburgh Science Festival, be creative with chemistry and design your own slime to take home!
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Edinburgh Science Festival: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Become a forensic scientist, study the crime scene and find the evidence. Can you solve the mystery and help Edinburgh Science Festival catch the criminal?
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Edinburgh Science Festival: Dig Up a Dinosaur
Ready to uncover dinosaur remains? Millions of years ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth – millions of years later, it's time to find out all about them!
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Dissected from History
Join Cat Irving and Sophie Goggins at the National Museum of Scotland on Tuesday 14th April to discover the hidden stories of some important historical figures!
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Sink or Swim: How the World Needs to Adapt to a Changing Climate
Susannah Fisher tells the story of the tough choices that lie ahead, and looks at ways we can still have a liveable planet. The choice is in our hands. Will we choose to sink or swim?
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Transplantation Through Time
The UK’s first successful kidney transplant was performed in Edinburgh in 1960 and research here continues to contribute to this life-saving field.
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Edinburgh Science Festival: Mini-Medics: The Body Show
In this fast-paced and interactive family show, help Edinburgh Science Festival's medics diagnose and treat their patients while they explore the human body!
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The Algorithm Adventure
Ever wondered how your favourite apps seem to know what you like? Step into the world of AI and algorithms to uncover the secrets behind your social feeds and game recommendations!
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Celebrating Jane Goodall: A Life of Impact
Celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE – Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace at McEwan Hall on Wednesday 15th April.
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Nature’s Architecture
Explore the microscopic world in the chemistry research laboratories at The University of Edinburgh.
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Modern Medicine: Menopause
Presented by Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, join GPs, podcasters, authors and researchers Dr Claire Phipps and Dr Sarah Glynne as they explore their menopause specialism.
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Truth, Trust and Trickery in the AI Age
Can you seek out what’s true in today’s tsunami of AI slop? We’ll help you navigate this new frontier of video, image and language generation in this interactive workshop.
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Modern Alchemy: Behind the Scenes of an Art-Science Collaboration
Join us on Thursday 16th April at Edinburgh Printmakers for an evening conversation between artist Susan Aldworth and scientist Dr Amanda Jarvis!
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PALaEoScot: New Approaches to Scotland’s Oldest Archaeology
Explore the latest evidence for Scotland’s ice age people, along with their continental connections, the landscapes they encountered, and the fearsome beasts they shared their world with.
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Sphaerosymphony: The Music of the Air
Presented by creative technologist David Oxley and Piera Morlacchi, Associate Professor at The University of Edinburgh, this evening blends science, art, and imagination.
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Artist Tour: Dr Gayle Chong Kwan
Join Dr Gayle Chong Kwan for a guided tour of her artwork, 'The Great Instauration', as she speaks through the artistic, material, and research processes that underpin the commission.
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Around the World Tour
Come along for an exclusive guided tour of Edinburgh Zoo after closing on Friday 17th April, led by one of our Discovery and Learning rangers!
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Wonders of Space Family Festival
Dive into hands-on space-themed activities and uncover the fascinating science behind our solar system at Archerfield Walled Garden on Friday 17th April.
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The Science of Origin
Join Prof Dame Lorna Dawson of The James Hutton Institute and international experts on Friday 17th April for an interactive event exploring the science of provenance!
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Join this free introduction to Earth Matters, in which one of the knowledgeable Botanics’ volunteers shines a light on their favourite aspect of this exhibition.
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AI: The Final Frontier
Through interactive discussion we will investigate the role AI plays in interpreting the cosmos and uncover how it can act as the ‘brain’ supporting complex space missions.
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Interacting (with) Galaxies
Despite the vastness of space, most galaxies will experience collisions. These mergers are complicated and understanding them benefits from new approaches to data representation.
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Doing Science on the Roof of the World
Join an international team from the Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology in Nepal and the University of Edinburgh to explore the urgent issue of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
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Planetarium Family Films: The Good Dinosaur
Enjoy a Jurassic journey with your little explorers in this one-of-a-kind cinema experience at the Dynamic Earth Planetarium on Saturday 18th April.
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Edinburgh Science Festival: The Rocket Show
Strap-in, countdown, and blast-off for a show that's out of this world when explosive family-friendly adventure, The Rocket Show, returns to Edinburgh Science Festival!
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Stargazing Late & Live
Immerse yourself amongst the stars as our resident astronomers guide you across the cosmos, delving into their favourite sights to see along the way!
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Planetarium Family Films: Dinosaur
As the meteor strikes Earth, a brave dinosaur and his unlikely group of lemur friends travel across dangerous terrain to find a safe haven in this family film at the Dynamic Earth Planetarium!
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Come along to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for a British Sign Language (BSL) tour of the exhibition Herbology, led by Trudi Collier on Sunday 19th April.
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Jean F. Watson: An Artistic Legacy
This exhibition at City Art Centre celebrates Jean Watson's brilliant legacy, showcasing a century of Scottish masterpieces as part of the Royal Scottish Academy's spectacular 200th-anniversary!
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