The careers event with a difference, Edinburgh Science’s annual Careers Hive returns to the National Museum of Scotland from Monday 26 to Thursday 29 October.
Now in its 11th iteration, the 4-day event welcomes P7 – S3 school pupils from across Scotland to discover possible careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) industries by exploring new skills with hands on activities and opportunities to speak directly with STEM professionals working in Scotland today.
At Careers Hive, pupils will take part in the Experience STEM Exhibition, located within the Museum’s Grand Gallery.
Designed to align Skill Development Scotland’s Meta-skills framework, the exhibition is divided into four themed activity zones, and led by volunteer STEM professionals. Pupils can take part in a wide range of hands-on activities, exploring and developing tangible skills that are utilised within current STEM roles including Data Scientist, AI Scientist, Clothes Designer, and Mechanic.
The Think Tank, also located within the Grand Gallery, offers a dedicated space for pupils to chat informally with professionals one-to-one and ask questions.
Careers Hive also includes the Life After Leaving School panel series, bringing together several guest speakers from diverse roles, educational backgrounds, and stages of their career, to share their stories and insights.
Panellists include Skills Development Scotland’s Modern Apprentice of the Year 2026 Sam Anderson, who during her apprenticeship at Muiravonside Country Park in Falkirk has increased the capacity for ranger-led education and activities.
Also featuring as a panellist is Holly Robertson, a Medical Writer for Alchemy Medical Writing who specialises in virology, immunology and genetics; and Zac Mooney Project Manager Apprentice for Scottish Water who secured two Awards at the Pipeline Industries Guild Professional Development Network Competition in 2024.
During the day, Careers Hive is open to pre-booked school groups only. From 3pm to 5pm each day, families and visitors to the Museum are invited to explore theExperience STEM Exhibitionlocated within the Grand Gallery.
Hassun El-Zafar, Director and CEO at Edinburgh Science said:“Scotland’s future will be shaped by science and technology, and every young person deserves to feel part of it.
“With demand for STEM skills rising across renewable energy, manufacturing and digital industries, closing the skills gap has never mattered more. Careers Hive gives students a real-world view of the jobs and opportunities STEM opens up, right at the moment they are choosing their subjects.
“It inspires those who will build careers in these fields and gives everyone a better understanding of a world that science is transforming. A STEM-literate society is a stronger, fairer one, and that is the future we want to help build.”
Festival opens with a free Family Day tomorrow – Saturday 30 May – at the National Museum of Scotland
A spotlight on disabled-led works including new Festival commission Boys Don’t Dance by award-winning Marc Brew
15 productions from 9 different countries unite in a programme that spans circus, dance, music, puppetry and theatre.
Shows for all ages – from immersive experiences for babies in ISLAND (for 0-12 mths), to wonderfully absurd work for teenagers in It Would be Such a Shame if You Missed Out (10-16 yrs)
Festival dates: 30 May to 7 June
Spectra, Aberdeen, 2026
The 36th Edinburgh International Children’s Festival (24 May to 1 June) kicks off this weekend with a packed programme of circus, dance, storytelling and theatre for young people, their schools, and families.
Over the week, the Festival programme explores timely topics such as bullying, our fear of missing out, grief and the search for identity, weaving in humour and excitement to connect with children regardless of their circumstances, access needs or location.
Some of this year’s highlights include:
A poignant dance theatre show for 7-12 year olds, Boys Don’t Dance by Marc Brewreflects on the artist’s journey who defied society’s expectations to embrace his love for dance, first as a boy growing up in rural Australia, and then when he acquired a disability following a car crash in his early twenties.
It Would be Such a Shame if you Missed Out (for 10-16 yrs)hilariously captures our fears about missing out and features 3 hapless performers trying to rehearse a play next to a giant party box, while select audience members join in.
A powerful new play by Tim Crouch, Toto Kerblammo! (for 10-14 yrs)will be experienced wearing headphones through binaural audio technology.
Brrr (for ASN 10 yrs+), anew multi-sensory performance created specially for young audiences with complex needs and set in a unique inflatable dome.
The popular Family Day opens this year’s Festival on Saturday 30 May – a full day of free, pop-up performances and artist interventions at the National Museum of Scotland, which has been programmed in partnership with festivals across the country including Light the Blue festival in Aberdeen, Merchant City Festival in Glasgow and the Paisley Book Festival.
Highlights from the Family Day includes:
Dreich, Drookit and Braw by Julian Chan, Robyn Gray, Michelle Ross and Vee Smith (in partnership with Merchant City Festival) and featured in today’s photocall
Tufts! by Kerry Cleland, Ben Winger, Katy Wilson and Ella Mackay (in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts)
Windbags by Ronan McMahon (in partnership with OneRen)
Spectra, Aberdeen, 2026
Incoming new Festival Director Adjjima Na Patalungsaid: “I am very excited to be opening this year’s Festival as the new director with such a wonderful programme.Imaginate has built a Festival with real clarity of purpose, a deep commitment to children’s rights, grounded in artistic quality, inclusion, and international exchange.
“Many of the shows this year reflect the realities of children growing up today. Questions around mental health, bullying, displacement, belonging, identity, friendship, and resilience run through the programme in very different ways. That is what makes this programme feel so alive and relevant.
“I look forward to witnessing children’s reactions and hearing their voices and different perspectives.
“It is always our hope that for every child who experiences this Festival, something stays with them, big or small. A feeling. A question. A spark of imagination.”
Full programme and booking information: www.imaginate.org.uk/festival. Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0131 226 0019.
Edinburgh Science Festival continues this Easter break and brings more fun for young sci-curious minds at the National Museum of Scotland
Science Festival Favourites, which opened yesterday, is a series of children workshops and shows, an exciting selection of activities which would normally feature at City Art Centre.
Children can Dig Up a Dino! (ages 5+) in a special dig site and discover all about the creatures which ruled the Earth millions of years ago, become a forensic scientist in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (8+), help solve a crime and catch the perpetrator or get their goo on in Splat-tastic! (5+), be creative with chemistry and make their very own slime to take home.
Also part of Science Festival Favourites, the whole family can take part in Mini-Medics: The Body Show (7+), inviting everyone to scrub up, don their masks and join Doctor Watson and Nurse It-Better as they explore the human body and how to keep it healthy. The Rocket Show (7+) makes the rocket science fun and accessible as children explore forces, test materials and prepare for a launch of a rocket fit for space.
Tech Decoded, supported by the Association for Science and Discovery Centres and SeaByte, features free drop-in activities that allow families to explore technology from AI to coding. Visitors will learn how the internet works and have the chance to create their own electrical circuits.
Edinburgh Science Festival continues until 19 April.
Enjoy the perfect family day out this Easter break with a special programme of shows and workshops at the National Museum of Scotland. Kids can play the role of scientist as they Dig Up a Dinosaur, solve a crime in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation or make slime to take home in Splat-tastic.
The whole family can enjoy Mini-Medics: The Body Show and The Rocket Show, and explore our free Tech Decoded drop-in activities.
Celebrate the extraordinary life and legacy of Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE – Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace – whose groundbreaking research and community-led conservation work transformed our understanding of chimpanzees and the natural world.
Audiences will hear personal reflections from some of Jane’s former colleagues, view images and video from Goodall’s career, and will have the opportunity to submit questions for a concluding Q&A.
Join Prof Dame Lorna Dawson of The James Hutton Institute and international experts for an interactive event exploring the science of provenance.
Learn how scientists determine authenticity and link objects or people to places, including crime scenes. The panel will discuss organised crime, murders, illegal mining, conflict minerals, gold trading, wildlife crime and the fossil trade.
Dr Brooke Vandermolen has taken the internet by storm as ‘The OBGYN Mum’, smashing down taboos and debunking myths about overlooked and misunderstood areas of women’s health and medicine.
In this special event, join Dr Brooke Vandermolen and host Prof Philippa Saunders, as they navigate the biggest myths, misinformation, and medical jargon about female health, and show how the internet is making it harder than ever to find accurate information you can trust.
In remote Himalayan regions of Nepal, yaks are vital for local livelihoods, yet crossbreeding with cattle – where antibiotics use is common – may help spread resistant germs.
Join an international team from the Research Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology in Nepal and the University of Edinburgh to explore this urgent issue, its implications for yak milk safety, and the challenges of conducting science in the Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park.
Six Bronze Age shields have been brought together for the first time ahead of a new exhibition opening at the National Museum of Scotland this summer. Dating from 3300 to 3500 years ago, the shields include the only intact examples to survive from Scotland.
nms.ac.uk/ScotlandsFirstWarriors
Five of the shields are part of National Museums Scotland’s collection, discovered in the Borders and Aberdeenshire in the 19th century. The sixth, from Beith in North Ayrshire, was found around 1779 and presented to the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1791.
Ahead of going on display in Scotland’s First Warriors (27 Jun 2026 – 17 May 2027) it has been brought back to Scotland on loan for the first time.
The bronze shields are exceptional examples of technological skill. Previously thought to be purely ceremonial, recent experiments have shown that they would have been effective at deflecting sword and spear blows. Wooden or leather shields were more common and it is believed these rare bronze examples were not only for defence, but also symbolic of the status of the warriors who owned and used them.
Experts are using this unique opportunity to examine all six shields together. By comparing signs of craft and damage, they will be able to uncover similarities and differences between how these shields were made and used. Decorative techniques and damage from swords or spears will reveal more about the origins of Scotland’s first warriors and the communities they fought and defended.
Dr Matthew Knight, Senior Curator of Prehistory at National Museums Scotland, said: “The moment the sixth shield arrived back in Scotland and was unpacked at the National Museums Collection Centre was breathtaking.
“The Beith shield is such a spectacular, intricate object and thanks to the generosity of the Society of Antiquaries of London, this is the first time it has been seen in Scotland since its discovery over 200 years ago.
“Bronze shields from this period are exceptional to Britain and by bringing all six of these incredibly rare shields together, we can gain a deeper understanding of life and conflict in Bronze Age Scotland and beyond.
“It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Dr Alexandra Ault, FSA, Head of Collections, Society of Antiquaries of London, said: “We are delighted to lend the Beith Sheild to the National Museums of Scotland.
“Discovered in a peat bog in Ayrshire around 1779, the Shield has been cared for by the Society of Antiquaries of London ever since. This loan marks the first time in over 235 years the Shield has been back to Scotland and is an exciting opportunity to see it alongside other important Scottish Bronze Age artefacts.”
Four of the shields will go on display alongside never-before-seen, internationally significant archaeological discoveries from across Scotland, such as the Carnoustie Hoard.
Scotland’s First Warriors is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the exhibition spans thousands of years, from the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the coming of the Romans.
It will explore how people fought, the motivations for fighting, the brutal impact of war on people’s lives and the long-lasting legacy of prehistoric conflict.
Scotland’s First Warriors will be complemented by a programme of events including talks and curator tours.
Scotland’s First Warriors
27th June 2026 – 17th May 2027 National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Admission Free
nms.ac.uk/ScotlandsFirstWarriors
Scotland’s First Warriors is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The Great Instauration by British artist Gayle Chong Kwan takes over the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland for the duration of the Edinburgh Science Festival (4 – 19 April).
Commissioned by Edinburgh Science Festival, Gayle Chong Kwan has created an art installation that brings together contemporary sculpture and reflections on science’s cultural legacy.
Chong Kwan explored the theme rethinking scientific histories through research into scientific artefacts and archives across eight major collections and through speaking with communities. These included: National Museums Scotland, Wellcome Collection, Wellcome Collection at the Science Museum, Science Museum Collection Centre in Swindon, Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh, Surgeons Hall Museum Edinburgh, and community gardens in Edinburgh.
Chong Kwan has explored the history of thescientific canon and the Scientific Enlightenment in Scotland,rethinking science’s stories and reframing who and what gets to be remembered.The artworkfocusses in on Scotland’s complex historical connections with slavery, enslaved people, plant and botanical origins of medicine, the University of Edinburgh, medical infirmaries, the advent of geology, and scientific instruments.
Installed in the Grand Gallery, The Great Instauration is an underground, upside-down world filled with forms hanging from railings and columns.
Large-scale sculptures of scientific instruments are transformed into fantastical roots, hanging fabrics of the geological strata of Edinburgh with archival and painted images, and steel plinths inscribed with lesser-known histories fill the space.
Chong Kwan connects exploitative and extractive histories, the scientific gaze, and roots, upturning the stories that shape our understanding of scientific knowledge and discovery.
Chong Kwan’s research highlighted how we tend to think of science, the scientific method, scientific instruments, and the Scientific Enlightenment as bringing understanding and clarity – light to see things we did not understand.
Dr Gayle Chong Kwan, Artist, said: “I am truly excited to present ‘The Great Instauration’, an installation in the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland that explores science as a culturally embedded process shaped by social history, power, and omission.
“I have been inspired by objects and narratives across multiple collections and museums, the history of the scientific canon, and the Scientific Enlightenment.
“My research included scientific instruments, the botanical origins of medicine, and Scotland’s historical connections with slavery.
“I was interested in how we tend to think of the scientific method, scientific instruments, and the Scientific Enlightenment as bringing understanding. I have explored histories connected with the theodolite, microscope, thermometer, clock, chronometer, and the telescope.
“The resulting three-dimensional, surreal sculptural and printed works act as forms of resistance. Developed through archival collage and painting, I was inspired by forms from microscopic slides and medical illustrations, and working through two-dimensional forms, redolent of flattened and sliced scientific specimens.
“The title ‘The Great Instauration’ refers to Francis Bacon’s 17th-century founding text on the scientific method, but this time as a contemporary call to restore and renew perspectives on the complex histories of science.”
The Great Instauration will form part of the wider exhibition Science Under the Lens, where visitors can experiment with some of the instruments which inspired the installation, make their own versions to take home and play with the science of light. Younger visitors can use art to tell their own science stories, exploring how light works and the power of story in sharing information.
There will be two tie-events linked to the installation: Exclusive Viewing: The Great Instauration(Sat 4 Apr) allows visitors to view the installation after hours followed by an in-depth discussion of the process with the artist and experts who assisted with research, and Artist Tour: Dr Gayle Chong Kwan(Fri 17 Apr), presented by Edinburgh Art Festival, where visitors join the artist for a guided tour of the artwork, as she speaks through the artist, material and research process that underpin the commission.
World’s first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals, Edinburgh Science Festival takes over the city during the Easter break, between 4 and 19 April, with a wide range of workshops, talks, exhibitions and much more, aiming to inspire people of all ages to get hands-on with science.
This year’s theme of Going Global reflects on science as a shared human story: connecting people across countries and continents, joined in scientific breakthroughs and failures, conducting experiments and sharing results.
The Festival goes global while also celebrating the local: universities, laboratories, hospitals, schools and cultural spaces.
The Great Instauration has been commissioned by Edinburgh Science, developed with support from Creative Scotland through the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund, additional funding from the Henry Moore Foundation, and guidance and support from Edinburgh Art Festival, National Museums Scotland, Scottish International Storytelling Festival and Wellcome Collection.
Two spectacular stone altars from a Roman fort near Edinburgh have been acquired for the National Collection ahead of a major exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland.
The rare carvings are among the finest examples of sculpture from Roman Britain and will go on display for the first time in Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire (14 November 2026 – 28 April 2027).
Once the centrepiece of the most northerly known temple to the god Mithras in the whole of the Roman empire, the altars were excavated at Inveresk, East Lothian and are the only examples to be found in Scotland.
Dating to the 140s – when southern Scotland was reoccupied under Antoninus Pius – they reveal new details about the lives and beliefs of soldiers on the frontier.
Mithras was a secretive, male-only religion which celebrated the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. The altars would have been a striking focal point in the underground Mithraeum.
One depicts the face of the sun god Sol and would have been illuminated from behind so that in the low light of the temple, worshippers would have seen his eyes, mouth and the rays of his solar crown glowing.It also features carvings of the four seasons – depicted as female deities – conveying the passage of time, another prominent theme within the cult of Mithras.
The second honours Mithras himself and is adorned with carvings linked to the god Apollo, another god of light – a griffin, lyre and plectrum – as well as two ravens, which are often seen in Mithraic imagery.
Both altars were dedicated by a legionary centurion whose name was abbreviated on the altar as G CAS FLA, probably Gaius Cassius Flavianus.
He was probably in command of the fort garrison at the time. Evidence for Mithras in Britannia mostly dates to the third century, but these earlier altars demonstrate that his cult was flourishing within the army by the middle of the second century, as it was on the continent.
The altars had broken into fragments during their long burial and have undergone extensive conservation work to reconstruct them and prepare them for display. During the process, conservators identified traces of paint on the carvings, revealing that they would originally have been painted in vibrant colours.
Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Prehistory and Roman Archaeology at National Museums Scotland said: “These stunning altars really bring the beliefs of the Roman frontier to life.
“The quality of the carving, traces of paint and dramatic lighting effects show they were impressive and expensive monuments. The cult of Mithras represented the triumph of good over evil and gave soldiers a sense that there was a purpose to their world and a life after death.
“I’m sure visitors will be amazed by them when they can see them up close in our new exhibition, Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire.”
Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire will tackle the common misconception that the Romans never got beyond Hadrian’s Wall. The famous landmark is often thought of as the northernmost reach of the Romans in Britain. However, three times the Empire extended its reach much further north, up to Scotland’s central belt and deep into north-east Scotland.
The Antonine Wall was built across the narrowest part of Scotland from Forth to Clyde, with additional forts along the coasts to east and west. Inveresk was one of these, and grew to became a major centre with a substantial population.
Recent excavations at Inveresk have transformed our understanding of the site, highlighting its significance in the story of Roman Scotland.
Finds from the site will be displayed together for the first time, shedding new light on the Roman occupation in Scotland, and demonstrating how this significant frontier outpost was supplied from across the Empire, and the impacts this occupation had on the local population.
Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire
14th November 2026 – 28th April 2027
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
A major new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland will tackle the common misconception that the Romans never got beyond Hadrian’s Wall.
The famous landmark is often thought of as the northernmost reach of the Romans in Britain. However, three times the Empire extended much further north, up to Scotland’s central belt and deep into north-east Scotland.
Bringing together recent research, significant loans from across Europe and previously unseen archaeological discoveries from Scotland, Roman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empirewill tell new stories of Roman occupation and reshape our understanding of Scotland’s relationship with the Roman world.
Central to the exhibition are finds from a 2nd century AD Roman fort at Inveresk in East Lothian, a site whose full significance will be revealed in this exhibition.
The Antonine Wall was built across the narrowest part of Scotland from Forth to Clyde, with additional forts along the coasts to east and west. Inveresk was one of these, and grew to become a major centre with a substantial population.
Recent excavations have transformed our understanding of the site, highlighting its significance in the story of Roman Scotland.
A thriving town surrounded the military base at Inveresk. This bustling community, ranging from soldiers and their families to traders, craftworkers and enslaved people, will be brought to life in the exhibition.
Locals in this occupied land had to interact with these invading groups, and the exhibition will paint a vivid picture of their relationships, from bloodshed to diplomatic deals.
Dr Fraser Hunter, Principal Curator of Prehistory and Roman Archaeology at National Museums Scotland said: “This rich exhibition is the first to explore Roman attempts to conquer Scotland in detail, asking why they failed, what effect they had on the locals, and examining the legacy they left behind.
“The extraordinary material found at Inveresk sheds new light on the peak of Roman occupation in Scotland, revealing how this significant frontier outpost and fortification was supplied from across the Empire, and taking visitors beyond the soldiers and into the lives of a vibrant and diverse frontier community.”
An immersive exhibition of giant prehistoric animals opens at the animals opens at the National Museum of Scotland this weekend. Giants (31 January – 14 September 2026) showcases the enormous but often overlooked creatures that roamed the Earth after the extinction of the dinosaurs.
This is the Scottish debut of the spectacular touring exhibition developed by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and toured by Nomad Exhibitions.
Giants invites visitors on a journey through time, from 66 million years ago to the present day. The exhibition features life-sized 3D models, fossils and nearly complete skeletons including Paraceratherium species , the largest land mammal ever known to have walked the Earth, Otodusmegalodon, the mightiest shark of all time, and the terrific Titanoboa cerrejonensis, the world’s longest ever snake.
Immersive displays transport audiences into the natural habitats of these colossal beings, providing context to their existence and eventual extinction. Interactives also invite visitors to step into the shoes of palaeontologists and biologists, engaging with the scientific processes behind fossil discovery and reconstruction.
New giants have since emerged, such as elephants, rhinoceroses and whales, but they too are now under threat of extinction. Giants closes with a poignant reminder of nature’s fragility and the urgent need to protect these animals for future generations.
Dr Sarah Stewart, Assistant Curator Paleobiology at National Museums Scotland, said: “I am delighted that visitors will have the opportunity to experience the spectacular Giants exhibition from this weekend.
“Popular attention on prehistoric life tends to focus either on dinosaurs or on our own earliest human ancestors, which leaves a relatively neglected gap of around 60 million years of natural history.
“The exhibition is a striking invitation to us all to think about that period, to see how nature adapts over time, and also to reflect on the ways in which current human activity is denying that time to today’s endangered giants.”
Giants is supported by a programme of events including talks by award-winning wildlife photographers Doug Allan and Gordon Buchannan.
Tickets for Giants are available to book now at nms.ac.uk/Giants
Edinburgh Science is pleased to announce the return of its annual Careers Hive, a 4-day long schools’ event at the National Museum of Scotland.
Returning for its 10th iteration between 27 – 30 October, P7 and S1-3 pupils from schools across Scotland will be in attendance, uncovering the possibilities of a career in STEM (science, technical, engineering, maths) through hands-on activities and discussions with STEM professionals.
Throughout the day, Careers Hive can be accessed by pre-booked schools only, with families and visitors invited to explore the Grand Gallery Interactive Exhibition activities each evening from 3:15 to 5pm.
Initially developed in 2016, to address the problem of young people not choosing STEM subjects in school, Careers Hive continues to support the development of a STEM skills pipeline across Scotland, empowering young people to develop the skills they need to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
At Careers Hive pupils will be able to experience:
Grand Gallery Interactive Exhibition with four themed zones where they engage with STEM professionals and try out different hands-on activities related to real jobs including examining artifacts in the NMS collection, testing forms of housing insulation, and exploring the technology behind hearing aid devices.
The Think Tank, a dedicated space for pupils to informally chat one-on-one with STEM professionals and ask the questions that matter to them most.
Life After Leaving School: A panel discussion during which they hear from early-career STEM professionals from a range of industries about their education and career stories.
Showcasing that there is no one pathway to achieving your careers goals, this year’s Life After Leaving School panel includes speakers with diverse educational backgrounds and journeys who are working in industries across Scotland today.
Panellists include Cameron Clark, a modern apprentice with Scottish Water who was recently named Net Zero Apprentice of the Year 2025, and Mahzabin Sheikh who gained a Master’s degree in Mental Health before discovering an interest in coding and completing a Software Engineering Apprenticeship.
Also appearing as a panellist is Patricia Berakova who completed an apprenticeship with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and now works with rare and endangered plants in their research collection.
Meg Scott is on-track to become a civil engineer, having completed a three-year Graduate Apprenticeship job and was recently named Graduate Apprentice of the Year, recognising her contribution to meeting Scotland’s net zero targets through her work on active travel schemes with AECOM.
Named as one of The Young Women’s Movement’s 30 under 30 in 2022, Abi Gardner is a geographer and ecologist at NatureScot and the youngest ever Trustee at Changeworks, one of Scotland’s largest environment charities.
Hassun El-Zafar, Director and CEO at Edinburgh Science said:“We are delighted to bring Careers Hive back to the National Museum of Scotland for its tenth iteration, offering 2,000 pupils an opportunity to think about their futures and discover the wide-ranging opportunities available in the STEM sector.
“As the demand for STEM skills continues to grow, addressing the skills gap is more urgent now than ever before.
“By connecting with real-life STEM professionals, Careers Hive visitors will learn about the incredibly varied skills and strengths required by the organisations and industries working to make the world a better place.”
Careers Hive is supported by a range of funders, please see below for a full list. Edinburgh Science school projects reach around 20,000 people every year.
Careers Hive 2025 supporters: Baillie Gifford, Edina Trust, City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Airport, British Army, Illumina, Institute of Acoustics, Merck, Red Rock Renewables, Resilience Skills, ST, Vattenfall.
Venue and programming partner: National Museum of Scotland
All aboard the National Museum of Scotland’s new tram!
Edinburgh tram passengers have the chance to climb aboard a ‘mobile museum’ as a new tram launches with special National Museum of Scotland livery.
The moving museum will travel through the city for the next two years, introducing passengers to some of the best-loved objects from the National Collection and giving them a taste of what it’s like to visit the National Museum of Scotland.
The tram will take its passengers on a journey through the history of Scotland, the beauty of art and design, the wonders of nature and science and cultures from around the globe. The exterior features iconic museum objects including the Lewis chess pieces, the Hunterston brooch and Dolly the sheep. Inside, tram users have the chance to learn interesting facts about everything from dinosaurs and dresses to Romans and robotic hands.
Dr Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland, said: ““The National Museum of Scotland is home to thousands of spectacular objects, and we’re excited to be able to share a selection of them beyond the museum walls.
“We hope that both locals and visitors from around the world will discover something new aboard the museum tram and be inspired to explore more remarkable collection stories at the National Museum of Scotland.”
Sarah Singh, Head of Service Delivery at Edinburgh Trams, said: “We’re delighted to have the National Museum of Scotland represented on one of our trams for the next two years.
“The museum offers an incredible space for exploring Scotland’s history and place in the world in a meaningful way, and we’re proud to offer some small extension of that. Look out for a 3,000-year-old toy mouse and a Saltire which has been to space – some of our favourite additions to the design!”
A short walk from the Princes Street tram stop, the National Museum of Scotland attracts over 2.3 million visitors each year. It is Scotland’s most-visited attraction and the most popular museum in the UK outside London.
The museum is currently staging the world’s biggest exhibition of primate behaviour, Monkeys: Our Primate Family and hosts a programme of seasonal events and activities.
National Museum of ScotlandChambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open daily, 10:00 – 17:00 Free entry
To plan your visit and find out more about the exhibition and events programme, visit nms.ac.uk
