BOLDLY beam up to Scotland to see the 鈥渙fficial鈥� Star Trek exhibition, between 31 March and 17 April. The exhibition will be one of the major events at this year鈥檚 Edinburgh Science Festival. 鈥淭here鈥檒l even be a replica of the Starship Enterprise hovering above Edinburgh Castle,鈥� says Bernard Dixon, a member of the festival鈥檚 programme planning committee.
Visitors to the exhibition 鈥� the first time the 鈥渞eal McCoy鈥� has been shown in Europe 鈥� can see original sets of the starship and a large-scale version of the Enterprise used in feature films. And lecturers will discuss whether transportation is feasible, and whether Vulcans can cross with humans.
The Internet features strongly in this year鈥檚 festival, with the creation of the Netcaf茅, where festival-goers will be able to explore the Internet. The organisers have invited 鈥渃ybernauts鈥� to send new ideas for festival events to them via the Net. And besides the usual hands-on exhibits for children in the Science Dome and 鈥淢adLab鈥�, there are plenty of oddball talks, ranging from the merits of dowsing to the science of the pizza.
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There are also some serious conferences. One debate will ask whether genetic screening is really eugenics through the back door. Another considers progress being made towards a cure for cancer.
If you are in Edinburgh on eve of the conference, 30 March, you can witness the re-creation of a 1774 experiment to weigh the world. Heavy stuff. In the meantime, any Netties wanting to reach the festival through the World Wide Web will find it at . Otherwise, dial 0131 556 6446 for information.