Edinburgh science fest to recruit Mars explorers THE man behind the first "interplanetary migration" to Mars will be explaining how people can take part in the project at the 25th Edinburgh International Science Festival which was officially launched today. Man behind mission to migrate to Mars in 10 years" time to present project plans at Edinburgh International Science Festival Other exhibitions at 25th edition of festival include eating insects and studies of forensic science Bas Lansdorp, co-founder and director general of Mars One, will outline the 2023 mission which is currently recruiting, in a presentation entitled "One Way Ticket to Mars" during the two week event. The Dutch charitable organisation is inviting anyone aged 18 or over who is "intelligent, in good mental and physical health, and willing to dedicate eight years to training and learning before making the journey to his or her new home on Mars." It is one of a host of innovative projects with a futuristic theme aimed to encourage people to look forward to the next 25 years and witness a glimpse of the potential future of our lives, cities, food, leisure time and medicine. The programme of events running at venues across the city from March 23rd to April 7th includes a section on future foods including Eating Aliens, where diners will be invited to try a variety of insects and invasive species. Other events include Patterns in Nature, an outdoor photography exhibition in St Andrews Square, which launches today and features detailed images of nature from individual snowflakes to the stripes of an angelfish. Renowned landscape architect Charles Jencks and artist and sculptor Peter Randall-Page will also look at how nature has inspired their work. The Edinburgh City Art Centre will host a range of activities for children including the Polyfloss Factory, where they can help out at a working plastic recycling plant - sorting waste plastic, melting it down and creating brand new colourful products to take home. Would-be detectives can join Crime Scene Investigation where youngsters can try their hand at forensic investigation and decipher the clues. Amanda Tyndall, deputy director of the annual festival, said: "This year's science festival will see around 200 of the best and brightest minds in science and technology gather in Edinburgh to dissect, debate and celebrate some of the biggest, most outrageous and sometimes controversial, ideas in science. For two weeks the city becomes the perfect melting pot for ideas and we invite audiences to join our futuristic adventures as we explore the promise, potential, peril or pitfalls of life in the 21st century, and how science can shape our future.