ARDROSSAN Academy is to be one of the venues for an innovative new science project.

Talk Science @ Irvine Bay will feature a series of free talks, lectures and workshops, aimed mainly at local schools - but with some events open to members of the public.

Announced this week by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and supported by Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, it will kick off on Bonfire Night with an interactive public talk at Greenwood Academy on why memory is so fundamental to human experience.

Prominent neuroscientist and RSE Fellow, Professor Richard Morris, who was recently awarded the Society’s highest accolade, the Royal Medal, will illuminate the physical and mental processes that control memory.

He will also consider the consequences of personal memory loss, from the inability to recollect mere day-to-day events, to those associated with profoundly life-altering conditions such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

The second public event, at Ardrossan Academy in December, will be a talk by environmental scientist and RSE Fellow, Professor Margaret Gill OBE, titled ‘Does what we eat matter?’ Exploring the significance of eating to our daily lives, Professor Gill will give an expert overview on why our diets are changing and consider the huge consequences this has for the natural environment and human health.

Both of these events will be public, but there will also be an eclectic mix of free talks, lectures and workshops, organised by the RSE within local schools and delivered by some of the most eminent scientific experts in their various fields.

This new programme builds on Irvine Bay regeneration company’s previous education programme to reflect its new focus, and to help build interest in engineering and science as a career option.

Patrick Wiggins, Chief Executive of Irvine Bay Regeneration Company, said, “We are delighted to have partnered with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Scotland’s National Academy, to deliver a truly innovative, educational and inspirational programme – Talk Science @ Irvine Bay – to develop interest in science amongst young people and the wider population of the area.” Commenting on the announcement, RSE General Secretary, Professor Alan Alexander OBE said: “We are pleased to be bringing these inspirational events to the area.

"There will be something on offer for everyone in the community to engage with, and plenty to inspire the budding scientists and engineers of the future.” Talk Science @ Irvine Bay events are open to all and free to attend.

For bookings, please contact the RSE Events Team on 0131 240 2780 or events@royalsoced.org.uk.

Online bookings can also be made at www.royalsoced.org.uk/events.

Many more public events will be announced in the coming weeks and months.

For the most up-to-date news, people should check local press and visit the RSE website.