Published:
Heriot-Watt University is reaching out to the local community of Wester Hailes in a bid to get more people into science.
The university is working in partnership with Ratho Coaches to run free buses between the local community and the campus to a science family fun day at Oriam on Saturday 14 April.
Buses will run during the day from outside Clovenstone Primary School and the Whale Arts Agency.
The event is part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival and the University's Year of the Sea campaign.
During the interactive event, visitors will be able to get hands-on with cutting edge scientific research - with Scotland's Sports Performance Centre being transformed into an underwater world.
With robot construction, froth, foam, bubbles and virtual reality tours - there will also be the chance to watch a microbe clean up oil spills and find out more about the tiny world with smartphone microscopes.
The day will provide the ideal chance to explore how university researchers work with light and sound, get hands on with the latest developments in robotics, and take part in some crystal-maze style challenges.
Dr Laura Wicks, from Heriot-Watt said: “We wanted to invite our local neighbours with the aim of getting people along who may not have been to a science festival before.
“It'll be a great day for all age groups and plenty of fun activities for families to enjoy and we're delighted to be working in partnership with Ratho Coaches.
“We're hoping some of the residents who live nearby will be fascinated to the weird and wonderful research which goes on behind closed doors.”
The Heriot-Watt events for the Edinburgh International Science Festival take place from 5 April to 14 April.