If you were one of the merry band of St.Ninian’s pupils who attended the Cli-fi event in Edinburgh could you take a few moments to fill out this questionnaire.
Your answers will help shape other events,
thanks,
Mrs Baird
A merry band of S2 pupils and the lovely Ms Beaton from English joined me on a trip to the Edinburgh International Book festival.
never one to miss an opportunity to reduce our carbon emissions we invited along our mirror class from Woodfarm to hop on our bus and come along as well.
Our trip was to see us meet up with two brilliant clifi authors – Kate Kelly, marine biologist and aothor of the clifi novel Red Rock, and Sarah Crosson Carnegie short-lister and author of the environmental novel Breathe.
Kate and Sarah both read us little nuggets from their books and told us about their inspirations for their books and thoughts on the environment.
The tagline for our project in East Renfrewshire is “Can books save the world?” After hearing the two authors I think we might have a tiny glimmer of hope.
Pupils then has the chance to ask the authors some questions and then the hour was over!
We assembled more neatly than the Avengers in the book signing tent where Kate and Sarah took the time to speak with our pupils on a one-to-one basis and sign books galore.
It was a great event and certainly gave us all a little more to think about as we move on in our project.
This is what a scientist looks like…well isn’t it?
James Kakalios is a scientist but one with a secret – he is actually a super hero – well sort of – he certainly is a super nerd -just like the audience at the Edinburgh Book Festival. Now , now that is no way to talk to a nice bunch of folk who have paid to see you!
Now, this talk could have gone two ways – one a snorefest of symbols and formulae or a ridiculuously entertaining foray into the word of physics and the science behind superheroes.
Lucky for us it was the latter.
Never before had physics been so much fun!
The eternal questions of who would win in a fight – Superman or the Hulk? were anwered with scientific precision ( come and see me and I will tell you who and why!).
A brillaint morning and a fascinating chappie who left us with something to ponder – “You all have a super power” he told the bewildered audience.”Your intelligence and that’s what you should use to fight evil”.
Isn’t he right?
After a quick lunch we headed to the Baillie Gifford tent to an intimate gathering with Sita Brahmachari and Cat Clarke. We were told to confront our fears and feelings and think about what it means to be a teenager today. A thoughtful and insightful afternoon.
Then a quick squizz about the festival and on to the bus where an A-Z of Harry Potter was created ( don’t ask!).
Again another great day at the festival – already thinking about who might be on the cards for next year…. anyone up for a trip?
P.S. Many thanks to Mrs. Mundie and the girls from Woodfarm who came along on the trip with us and who were great company and this time no one was sick on the bus!
There is nothing better than schmoozing about Edinburgh other than schmoozing around the Edinburgh books festival.
Along, with a happy band of bibliophiles fom Woodfarm and Willaimwood our intrepid band of girlies ventures all the way along the motorway to the Valhalla of the written word – Edinburgh. ( with only one teensky little misshap on the way – pass the sick bag , if you please!)
Our first port of call was an invitation with the dead – well sort of – with the authors Alexander Gordon Smith and Susanne Winnaker to talk about zombies. Not always the best topic so soon after breakfast. We particularly liked the body bits left on stage (hopefully not belonging to the last audience members).
After a spot of lunch we made our way to the front row – yes nothing but the best for us, to hear from the lovely Sophie McKenzie and the dangerous Anne Cassidy. After the talk we rushed to the book tent to get our books signed and chat to the authors who were both really helpful and very friendly.
Back on to the bus and a safe trip home.
Comments from the trip?
Can we come back again next year?
