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The University of Aberdeen is bringing families and young learners together for an engaging and educational activity at its Zoology Museum with the upcoming Family Fun Friday: Zoology Museum event. Scheduled for 24 July 2026 from 11:00 to 14:00, this free event offers children and families an opportunity to combine creativity, museum exploration, and informal science learning in an enjoyable setting. The event is designed as a relaxed drop-in activity, making it easy for families to participate according to their own schedules. Visitors can take part in a creative session focused on making magic clay mini beasts of land and sea. Through hands-on crafting, children can explore the fascinating world of animals and develop a stronger connection with natural history and zoological discovery. Hosted at the Zoology Museum of the University of Aberdeen, the event provides an ideal setting for a family day out during the summer holidays. The museum environment encourages curiosity and discovery, allowing children to learn about animals while participating in an activity that is practical, imaginative, and accessible. A Free Family Activity Designed Around Creativity and Discovery One of the main attractions of the Family Fun Friday event is its free admission. Families can enjoy the activity without the cost barrier often associated with organised workshops or educational attractions. This makes the event particularly suitable for local residents, visiting families, and parents looking for affordable activities during the school holiday period. The creative clay activity gives children the chance to make their own mini beasts inspired by animals that live on land and in the sea. This concept connects artistic expression with zoological learning. Rather than simply viewing museum displays, children are encouraged to participate actively and create something of their own. Hands-on activities can be particularly valuable for younger visitors because they help make learning more memorable. A child who creates a clay creature may become more interested in how real animals move, where they live, how their bodies are adapted, and how different species fit into their environments. The event therefore offers more than a simple craft session. It creates an opportunity for families to begin conversations about biodiversity, habitats, animal behaviour, marine life, and the importance of understanding the natural world. Why the Zoology Museum Provides an Ideal Event Setting The University of Aberdeen's Zoology Museum offers an educational environment that naturally supports the theme of the event. Museums can help transform abstract scientific ideas into visual and interactive experiences. For children, the opportunity to visit a museum alongside a creative activity can make science feel approachable and enjoyable. The museum setting provides context for the clay-making session. Children may be able to connect their creative work with the wider world of animals and zoology. Even a simple clay model can inspire questions about the characteristics of real species and the differences between animals living in different environments. The University of Aberdeen's official event listing describes the activity as a drop-in family session, with no booking required. However, the University notes that visitors may need to wait during particularly busy periods. This flexible format makes the event convenient for families who prefer spontaneous activities or who may be visiting other attractions in Aberdeen on the same day. An Educational Summer Holiday Experience for Young Learners Summer holidays provide children with valuable opportunities to learn outside the classroom. Events such as Family Fun Friday can support informal learning by combining education with entertainment. Children are able to explore a subject without the pressure of formal assessment or classroom routines. The zoology theme is particularly suitable for younger audiences because animals naturally attract curiosity. Children often ask questions about unusual creatures, ocean life, insects, birds, mammals, and other forms of wildlife. A museum-based activity can encourage this curiosity and provide a foundation for further learning. The creative element also helps children express their understanding in their own way. A child may create a realistic animal, an imaginary creature, or a combination of different features. Each approach can lead to discussion about the real characteristics of animals and the differences between imagination and scientific observation. Parents and guardians can also use the event as a starting point for further exploration. After completing the activity, families may choose to discuss favourite animals, visit other museum displays, research different habitats, or explore local wildlife. Combining Art, Science, and Family Participation A key strength of the event is the way it combines several different types of learning. Art encourages creativity, science provides knowledge, and family participation creates a shared experience. The clay activity allows children to use their hands and imagination. They can shape, mould, and design their own mini beasts while thinking about the animals they want to represent. This type of activity can help develop fine motor skills and concentration while also supporting creative confidence. At the same time, the zoological theme creates opportunities for scientific discussion. Parents can ask children questions such as where their creature lives, what it eats, how it moves, and how it protects itself. These simple questions can introduce fundamental ideas about habitats and animal adaptations. The event is therefore suitable for families who want an activity that is both enjoyable and educational. It provides a balance between structured participation and relaxed exploration. A Convenient Drop-In Event for Families in Aberdeen The drop-in format is another important feature of the event. Families do not need to commit to a formal appointment or follow a strict timetable. They can attend during the advertised three-hour period and participate in the activity as availability allows. This makes the event particularly convenient for families with young children. Parents can plan their visit around the needs of their children and combine the museum activity with other plans in Aberdeen. The event takes place on Friday, 24 July 2026, during the summer holiday period. This timing makes it a practical option for families searching for activities during the school break. The University of Aberdeen also lists broader summer activity at the Zoology Museum, with the museum open during the summer holidays for visitors to enjoy. Encouraging Interest in Zoology and the Natural World Events like Family Fun Friday can play an important role in introducing children to zoology. Zoology is the study of animals, and it covers a wide range of topics including anatomy, behaviour, evolution, ecology, and conservation. A child does not need advanced scientific knowledge to begin exploring these ideas. Simple questions about a clay mini beast can introduce concepts that are central to zoological study. For example, a child may create a sea creature and begin thinking about how it survives underwater. Another child may create a land animal and consider how it moves or finds food. These conversations help connect creative activity with scientific thinking. The event can also encourage awareness of the variety of life on Earth. Learning about animals from different environments can help children understand the importance of protecting biodiversity and respecting the natural world. An Accessible Event for Families and Young Visitors The event has been designed to be accessible and welcoming for families. Free entry and a relaxed drop-in structure make it suitable for a broad audience. Parents and guardians can attend with children and participate in the experience together. The event is especially relevant for families looking for educational activities that do not feel like traditional classroom lessons. Children can learn through doing, making, observing, and asking questions. For local families, the event offers a convenient opportunity to visit a university museum. For visitors to Aberdeen, it provides an additional cultural and educational activity to include in a summer itinerary. The University of Aberdeen's King's College location also gives visitors the chance to experience one of the University's historic academic settings while attending a family-focused activity. The University's listed contact address is King's College, Aberdeen, AB24 3FX. A Memorable Family Day Out in Aberdeen The Family Fun Friday: Zoology Museum event has all the elements of a memorable family activity: creativity, learning, exploration, and free participation. Children can create their own clay mini beasts while families enjoy the atmosphere of a university museum. The activity is particularly valuable because it encourages children to become active participants. Instead of simply looking at exhibits, they can create, imagine, and discuss the animal world around them. For parents, the event provides a useful opportunity to support learning during the summer holidays. For children, it offers a fun way to explore animals and creative making. For the wider community, it demonstrates how university museums can connect academic knowledge with public engagement. The Family Fun Friday: Zoology Museum event at the University of Aberdeen is an upcoming free family workshop taking place on 24 July 2026 from 11:00 to 14:00. The event focuses on creating magic clay mini beasts of land and sea and is designed to provide a fun, creative, and educational experience for families and children. With no advance booking required and free participation, the event is an accessible choice for families seeking summer activities in Aberdeen. Its combination of creative making and zoological themes encourages children to explore science through imagination and hands-on learning. The event also reflects the University of Aberdeen's broader commitment to public engagement, family learning, and accessible educational experiences. For families looking for an enjoyable activity that combines creativity with an introduction to the natural world, this event offers a strong opportunity to learn, explore, and spend quality time together in a museum environment.

The Association for Learning Development in Higher Education (ALDinHE) is proud to host the Plymouth Regional Symposium, bringing together higher education professionals, educators, and academic skills specialists for an immersive day of exchange and collaboration. Hosted at the University of Plymouth, this event provides an ideal space for learning developers, academic tutors, librarians, and educational researchers to share practical insights, present emerging research, and discuss pressing challenges in higher education. As student demographics and technological landscapes continue to shift rapidly, higher education institutions face an ongoing need to evolve their teaching and academic support frameworks. This regional event serves as a platform to highlight localized practices while connecting them to national conversations across the sector. Core Themes and Key Objectives The symposium centers on creating inclusive, student-centered learning environments that empower undergraduates and postgraduates across diverse academic pathways. Key themes explored throughout the day include embedding academic literacies within subject curricula, leveraging generative artificial intelligence ethically in teaching, and nurturing student resilience and transition. Participants will examine how learning development professionals act as vital third-space educators who bridge academic disciplines, student services, and institutional strategy. The primary goal is to provide delegates with evidence-informed strategies and adaptable frameworks that can be directly implemented in their home institutions to improve student engagement, retention, and overall academic success. Session Structure and Collaborative Workshops Designed for active participation rather than passive listening, the schedule features a dynamic blend of lightning talks, interactive workshops, and structured panel discussions. Early sessions focus on innovative teaching interventions, detailing real-world case studies where learning developers partnered with academic departments to co-design discipline-specific study skills modules. Midday workshops dive into practical toolkits for academic writing support, critical thinking instruction, and peer mentoring models. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on group exercises where they break down common barrier areas in student learning and collaboratively draft pedagogical solutions. Networking and Community Impact Beyond structured presentations, a central aim of the symposium is fostering sustainable regional networks of practice. Dedicated networking breaks and facilitated discussion circles allow colleagues from across Plymouth and the broader region to exchange ideas, discover common institutional goals, and explore future collaborative research projects. For practitioners pursuing professional accreditation, the symposium offers valuable opportunities to reflect on personal practice and gather evidence suitable for professional recognition frameworks. By building stronger local bonds among educational practitioners, the event strengthens the broader learning development community across the United Kingdom. Registration and Participation Details Attendance is open to all professionals involved in higher education teaching, learning support, and student guidance. Registration is free for staff members belonging to ALDinHE institutional member universities, while individual members and non-members can attend at accessible non-member rates. Attendees are encouraged to register early via the official website to reserve their seats and receive pre-event reading materials. Whether you are an experienced practitioner looking to disseminate recent project outcomes or a newly appointed academic tutor seeking foundational insights, this symposium offers a welcoming and enriching environment for professional growth.

The Elvis World Tour arrives at the newly restored Bradford Live venue, promising an evening of unparalleled nostalgia and high-energy entertainment. This is not just a tribute show; it is a meticulously produced celebration of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, featuring world-class performers, a full live orchestra, and state-of-the-art visual effects. As the tour makes its way through the UK, the Bradford stop is anticipated to be one of the highlights of the summer season, bringing the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the heart of West Yorkshire. The performance covers every era of Elvis Presley’s legendary career. From the raw, rebellious energy of the 1950s Sun Records sessions to the iconic 1968 Comeback Special and the majestic "Jumpsuit" years of the 1970s, the show captures the essence of the man who changed music forever. Fans will hear definitive live versions of "Suspicious Minds," "Jailhouse Rock," "Can't Help Falling in Love," and many more. The production values are massive, utilizing rare archival footage and high-definition screens to create an immersive experience that transports the audience back in time. The venue, Bradford Live, provides the perfect backdrop for such a spectacle. Having undergone a multi-million-pound renovation, its acoustics and viewing angles are world-class, ensuring every "Uh-huh" and hip swivel is caught by the crowd. For lifelong fans and new generations discovering the King's music, this event offers a communal experience of joy and rhythm. It is a night designed to celebrate a legacy that transcends time, proving that even decades later, Elvis Presley remains the ultimate entertainer.