Beakerhead Technology Week in Canada

Beakerhead is a STEAM celebration event in Calgary, dedicated to bringing science and engineering to more people through art since 2013. Beakerhead was born from the fusion of creativity and a desire for interdisciplinary communication. Its original intention is to break the traditional boundaries between art and science, bringing together talents and enthusiasts from different fields to inspire new creativity and collaboration. This festival encourages people to view the world in innovative and interesting ways, showcasing how science and technology can become tools for artistic expression, while also adding more fun and humanistic care to science and engineering through art.

Activity content

Large scale installation art exhibition: There are many stunning large installations in the event. These installations are usually the result of a close combination of art and engineering, such as giant mechanical creatures, interactive light sculptures, and so on. Some of them can involve the audience, changing the form or movement of the device by turning the handle, pressing buttons, etc., making the audience a part of the artwork.

Scientific experiments and demonstrations: There will be various scientific experiment demonstrations on site. Scientists and science enthusiasts will showcase some peculiar physical, chemical, or biological phenomena. For example, showcasing the wonderful properties of liquid nitrogen, such as instantly freezing flowers in liquid nitrogen and breaking them into countless petals with a gentle tap, allowing the audience to experience the magic of science up close.

Creative Workshops: Provides a range of creative workshops covering various fields, from handcrafting small robots to creating 3D printed artworks. Participants can personally experience the process of transforming creativity into actual works under the guidance of professionals. For example, in a robot making workshop, participants can learn basic circuit knowledge and mechanical assembly skills, and use simple materials to make a small robot that can walk autonomously.

Theme performance: including drama, dance, and music performances with science and technology as the main themes. For example, there are dance performances inspired by Einstein's theory of relativity, where the dancers' movements, stage lighting effects, and prop arrangements are carefully designed to vividly showcase abstract concepts such as temporal and spatial distortions. There are also performances that combine electronic music and technology light shows, immersing the audience in an environment full of technology and artistic atmosphere.