Idea No59

At Glasgow Science Centre we're passionate about inspiring the next generation of engineers, innovators and scientists.

In March 2020 we launched the first phase of our development, Idea No59, to engage the wider community about how technologies are shaping the future of our society. We are now looking to grow and expand our unique educational platform in an exciting second phase.

Idea No59 is an interactive exhibition with associated programming designed to nurture crucial future skills. At the heart of the idea, it recognises the need of the global society to innovate, to adapt and to invent. To achieve this we need to develop a culture of innovation which inspires our young people to harness their full potential and play a key role in creating the innovations that will transform our society.

Idea No59 is nurturing the next generation of engineers and innovators by creating a physical space for extended engagement with schools, communities, families and teenagers. It inspires and develops the builders of tomorrow through creative play and learning. It is also a platform to engage the wider community in the innovations of the future.

Today the exhibition explores a variety of emerging and enabling technologies in three key areas:

• Health & Care Reimagined
• Evolving Industry
• Resourceful Planet

In our exciting second phase (under development), we are looking to introduce technologies impacting on:

• The Future of Everyday
• Urban World

These new technologies and themes may include the internet of things, autonomous cars, human-computer interaction, smart cities, energy harvesting, wireless technologies and building sustainability.

Our aims

Showcase the types of skills required for future careers. The exhibition will help students connect what they learn in the classroom with the world around them and with opportunities offered by a career in engineering, science and technology through social learning. It will also better inform parents, teachers and careers guidance professionals of the career paths available to inform practical, life changing decisions in a young person's journey.

Inspire the next generation of innovators by developing critical skills and confidence and providing opportunities for making, developing and producing — distil, design, develop, create, ignite!

Create a platform for industry to engage the wider community in a discussion about future innovations and the societal impact of these.

Technology is changing at a breath-taking pace and the implications in terms of learning, jobs and our future lives can be a cause for concern for many people. Idea No59 will actively highlight the technologies being developed and what these mean for society going forward. It aims to remove some of the fear factor and promote an understanding of the “art of the possible”.

Partners

To produce the first phase, Glasgow Science Centre was supported by the Scottish Government, Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Enterprise, Zero Waste Scotland, Royal Navy and JP Morgan. Additional support came from MathWorks, Quantic, Skyscanner, M Squared, Aridhia, Precision Medicine Scotland and University of Glasgow.

A group of experts from academia and industry also provided 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.

Our proposal

Glasgow Science Centre is looking to work with public sector, academic and industry partners to expand and grow Idea No59.

By supporting Idea No59, you and your organisation will be part of an innovative and informative project aimed at showcasing and promoting understanding of current and future technologies, and supporting the innovators of tomorrow. Your involvement in the exhibition will offer the following benefits:

• The opportunity to tell your story, engage with and inspire hundreds of thousands of adults and young people across Scotland and beyond.
• The opportunity to showcase the work of your organisation and the difference it is making to people’s lives.
• The opportunity to encourage and influence future technologists and innovators.
• Upskilling of staff in communication and public engagement through direct involvement with the project and engagement with our audiences.
• Corporate visibility through branding on marketing, content and PR materials.

Please get in touch if anything you read above sparks your interest as we'd love to talk to you: stephen.breslin@gsc.org.uk