From DNA Fingerprinting and human genetics to baking the perfect cake and creating colourful cocktails, science plays an important part in many aspects of our lives, but it isn't always the easiest thing to access and understand.

Life's Adult Workshops are an ideal way to find out more about topical and contemporary scientific issues, unravelling the science facts from the science fiction with interesting, informative and exciting experiments in a professional laboratory setting.

Our workshops are led by experienced science explainers who make even the most complex science accessible and communicate it in an entertaining and interesting way - so there's no 'ology' required. Explore a variety of subjects including the science behind your favourite tipple in the Botoany of Gin and the Science of Cocktails workshops:

Botany of Gin

Are all gins the same of do differences in flavour justify the differences in prices? In this workshop we explore the history of the archetypical English tipple from its invention in 17th Century Holland through Hogarth's Gin Lan and the Gin Riots of the 18th Century, the invention of the Gin and Tonic in the 19th and the rise of designer gins in the late 20th Century. There are opportunities to taste selected gins, identify the plants that give them their distinctive flavours and discover the brands you really prefer.

Science of Cocktails

This adult workshop takes a look at the science behind one of the nation's favourite pastimes... drinking. Find out why scotch should be watered but never iced, learn how to develop your own cocktail and make the perfect Irish coffee. But perhaps more importantly, uncover the science of avoiding that 'morning after' feeling. As with all sound experiments, there's plenty of testing required to make sure the end results are perfect and driving home is definitely not recommended.

To make a booking, or for more information about our science workshops for adults call Niamh Lightfoot on (0191) 243 8223.