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Visitors can explore hands‑on experiences, digital activities and research‑led exhibits
An exciting showcase of student and staff innovation from Abertay University is being presented as part of this year’s Dundee Science Festival.
Across Dundee Science Centre and partner venues, visitors will be able to explore a mix of interactive experiences and creative projects that celebrate curiosity, discovery and the future of science.
Taking place from 7 to 22 February 2026, this year’s festival theme, Beyond Wonder, coincides with Dundee Science Centre’s 25th anniversary and highlights work that looks towards the next phase of innovation and public engagement in science.
Projects on display include:
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T‑Wrecks Cycling – a fast‑paced game where players power a dinosaur by pedalling a real bicycle.
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Gone Smishing – an educational title developed with Konglomerate Games to help young people recognise phishing threats.
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Camouflage Testing – created with support from the Royal National Institute of Blind People, inviting players to identify camouflaged aliens to support research into how humans detect deceptive visual patterns.
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Water Resilient Dundee – an interactive exploration of how water moves through communities and how nature‑based approaches can help build a more sustainable city.
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Brilliant Brains – a psychology‑focused activity led by Abertay staff and students.
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De‑Pict Dunkeld – a series of dioramas illustrating 3000 years of Scottish history.
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CyberRunner – a 2D puzzle game introducing key principles of cyber resilience.
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Rennie Room Decorator – a 3D design experience inspired by the V&A Dundee’s Oak Room.
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Kitsune: The Lost Way – a virtual‑reality action‑adventure influenced by Japanese folklore and samurai traditions.
A number of additional showcases will also be available, featuring exhibitors presenting work on a wide range of topics. These include research into the potential health benefits of video games, approaches to protecting historic sites affected by climate‑related risks, and projects exploring links between science and music.
Dr Rebecca Wade, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Built Environment and Life Sciences, said:
Dundee Science Festival provides a fantastic opportunity for school pupils and families from Dundee and beyond to find wonder in science. In addition to the fantastic exhibits in the Science Centre, the Festival provides an opportunity to showcase local research, heritage, culture, nature and industry. This year I am delighted to be partnering with Scottish Water and Dundee City Council to showcase Water Resilient Dundee. The Water Resilient Dundee partnership brings together organisations and communities to jointly plan and sustainably manage water in Dundee to help the City respond to climate change now and for future generations. The work is already improving Dundee's neighbourhoods for people and for nature, whilst also reducing climate change impacts, so it's a real pleasure be able to showcase this work at Dundee Science Festival. Our exhibit is a hands-on interactive demonstration that shows the many benefits of working with nature (we call it 'blue-green infrastructure') to manage storm water. Visitors to the exhibit are invited to 'be the rain' and then see what happens on the surface, and where the rain goes, after it falls.
The University’s exhibits also connect with its wider research activity, reflecting strengths in areas such as environmental science, digital innovation and creative technologies. This work aligns with the aims of the new Research, Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Strategy 2025–30 (R‑LINCS30), which encourages collaborative, challenge‑led work and sharing research with the public in accessible ways.
