Glasgow Science Centre (GSC) has revealed that, in partnership with the Scottish
Government sponsored Scottish Funding Council (SFC), it is on course to deliver its latest
interactive exhibition which will focus on innovation.
New interactive exhibition: Idea #59
Idea #59 will inspire the next generation of innovators, engineers and scientists by exploring
AI, Big Data, Robotics, Advanced Manufacturing, Precision Medicine, and the Internet of
Things’. While aiming to engage wider society on how new technology will impact future
generations, the exhibition will be expertly crafted so that it is fun and engaging for people of
all ages.
The exhibition will showcase the cutting-edge work carried out by Scotland’s eight Innovation
Centres. So far £250K in funding has been raised and now GSC is calling on businesses to
come on board as partners to help raise the remaining £750K to bring the exhibition to life.
The project will also act as a conduit to help realise the Scottish Government’s aims around
increasing innovation in Scotland. Last summer, the Scottish Government outlined proposals
to help the advanced manufacturing, energy and financial technology sectors, to give
additional support for graduate entrepreneurs and to help companies to access finance. In
addition, it was announced that research and development (R&D) support from Scottish
Government enterprise agencies was to increase almost 70 per cent – from £22m to £37m per
year over three years.
Scotland’s 8 Innovation Centres to develop the exhibition content
GSC will work alongside Scotland’s Innovation Centres to develop the exhibition content and
educational and public programme. The eight Innovation Centres, funded by the Scottish
Funding Council, aim to help businesses increase the pace of innovation and, in turn, help
both the Scottish economy and people’s health. For Idea #59, GSC will be working alongside
the Centre of excellence for Sensor and Imaging Systems (CENSIS), Construction Scotland
(CSIC), Digital Health and Care Institute (DHI), Stratified Medicine (SMS-IC), Industrial
Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC), Oil & Gas Innovation Centre (OGIC), Scottish
Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) and The Data Lab.
A group of experts from academia and industry will provide advice, guidance and direction for
the new exhibition. Members include representatives from the Innovation Centres, University
of Strathclyde’s Advanced Forming Research Centre (AFRC), Fraunhofer Scotland,
Technology Scotland and Engineering Scotland.
Idea #59 could be visited by around two million people
Almost 70,000 schoolchildren visit Glasgow Science Centre annually and the exhibition,
housed on the second floor, will be a focal point of the Centre’s education programme and act
as a powerful engagement tool to help inform young people of the wide range and rewarding
careers available within the sector. Over its five-year life span it is estimated Idea #59 could
draw in around two million people.
Inspiring the next generation of innovators
Dr Stephen Breslin, Chief Executive of Glasgow Science Centre, said: Over the next five
years, as AI and machine learning become ingrained in all forms of technology they will
deliver exciting new opportunities. Big Data, AI and the Internet of Things, will create new
services and breakthroughs in science, as the merging of human intelligence and the digital
world gathers pace to transform the global economy.
The constant flow of new digital tools will reshape every aspect of the professional realm and
society in the future. Scotland, being at the forefront of much of the world’s most exciting
research and development, is a particularly fertile ground for high-tech careers. With Idea #59
we aim to bring together some of the most exciting research and development partners to
inspire the next generation of innovators.
Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science Shirley-Anne Somerville said:
Scotland was forged on innovation and we must aspire to be the inventor and the
manufacturer of the digital, high tech and low carbon innovations that will shape the lives of
our children and grandchildren.
It is this Government’s ambition to make Scotland a STEM Nation and it is my hope that Idea
#59 will inspire the next generation of Scotland’s innovators, encouraging them to develop the
skills needed for the jobs of the future. We are a forward looking, innovative nation and this
exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the ground-breaking work of Scotland’s
innovation centres.
Showcasing the innovation in Scotland today
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Stuart Fancey, Director of Research and Innovation at the
Scottish Funding Council, said: The innovation that science and engineering bring are central
to our modern world. The great work in Scotland’s universities, colleges and Innovation
Centres to make new ideas reality has a growing impact on our lives in areas such as
developing more energy efficient homes and the use of Big Data to improve cancer care,
amongst many others.
Partnering with Glasgow Science Centre to showcase the innovation in Scotland today is a
great way for SFC to help young people learn about the exciting science and engineering jobs
those innovations will bring in the Scotland of tomorrow.
Glasgow Science Centre will continue its fundraising efforts and is expected to deliver the
exhibition in spring 2019. For more information visit
www.glasgowsciencecentre.org