Glasgow Science Festival

GSF: Ingenious Circus

The Ingenious Circus is an exciting project led by Glasgow Science Festival, which brings together University of Glasgow engineers, Aerial Edge Circus School and primary schools for a truly unique collaboration. Funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering. 

Launched during Glasgow Science Festival 2019, the project explores the engineering that underpins circus performance. Through collaboratively working between the Glasgow Science Festival, circus experts from Aerial Edge and our team of engineers. We get the chance to share our passion and expertise in a creative and memorable way.

After a COVID related delay, we were delighted to work with three local primary schools. With a series of circus skills workshops delivered outside in the playground and engineering engagement delivered remotely over Teams.

Pupils from Saracen PS, Sunnyside PS & St Charles PS absolutely blew us away with how quickly they picked up a whole range of circus skills including juggling, plate spinning, acrobatics and even unicycling! They put their newfound expertise to use, working in small groups to creating routines. As a planned public performance couldn’t go ahead, the pupils instead showcased their skills, with performances to fellow pupils and teaching staff.

Watch the Glasgow Science Festival: Ingenious Circus Schools video below to see the young people in action!

COVID restrictions meant we were not able to visit the school with the Engineering team. So instead, the Engineers from the University of Glasgow and guest from Thales Optronics, recorded short videos responding to questions posed around what engineering is, what they do as engineers and how it might link to circus. The pupils watched the videos in preparation for a live Q&A session beamed into each classroom.

Pupils wowed our engineers with a series of circus demonstrations then challenged our team with some excellent questions.

Watch our Engineer videos below in the Ingenious Circus People section

Have a go at yourself! Join Glasgow Science Festival & the Aerial Edge team in the Glasgow Botanic Gardens on sat 4th & Sun 11th Sept between 11-2pm. For drop-in short sessions outside, where you get to try your hand at circus skills. More info in the events section.