Science Oxford

05/10/2026

Happy World Space Week! From 4-10 October the world is celebrating Space Science and Technology. As space is so big, this week is an opportunity for big ideas too! Our resident Space Science Specialist Kat Kelly asks some big questions about outer space:

🚀 Is there life elsewhere in the Universe?
🚀 If we were to find life on another planet tomorrow, how would it affect how we live our lives and view ourselves here on planet Earth?
🚀 What makes a planet a good place for life?
🚀 Should humans try to contact alien life if we find it? Why or why not?
🚀 Discuss with your family and friends and share your ideas in the comments.

🚀 Visit our Family Day Planetarium show in our inflatable science dome on Saturday 7 November or 5 December at the Science Oxford Centre. Or, experience our 'Life Elsewhere' show through our school visits programme and our popular community stargazing evenings.

05/10/2026

Great news from Great Science Share for Schools! We look forward to partnering through our Big Science Event for another year, inspiring children about scientific enquiry and nurturing curiosity.

Today, on UNESCO World Teachers' Day, we're delighted to share that Great Science Share for Schools has once again been awarded Patronage from the UK National Commission or UNESCO for 2027

This recognition celebrates our collective commitment to inspiring curiosity, scientific enquiry and meaningful science learning for every pupil, bringing together schools, communities and STEM partners through a shared belief in science for all.

On World Teachers’ Day, we thank teachers for nurturing pupils’ confidence to ask questions, explore ideas and share the science that matters to them.

Read our latest blog to find out more about the renewed UNESCO Patronage and how teachers are at the heart of Great Science Share for Schools. https://tinyurl.com/GSSfS-WorldTeacherDay



Lynne BP The University of Manchester Faculty of Science and Engineering The University of Manchester UNESCO UNESCO in the UK

02/10/2026

Are you a new primary science subject leader? Would you like to create the kind of classroom experiences that spark curiosity, with more confidence, deeper knowledge and skills?

We are looking forward to connecting with teachers in our region on 12th October for our targeted ‘Supporting New and Developing Science Subject Leaders’ professional learning session for primary teachers.

The session will provide practical, evidence-informed support to help science subject leaders strengthen science teaching and learning across their school.

Registrations close soon – sign up by 7th October.
📆 12th October 2026; 10am – 3:00pm.
🏫 Science Oxford Centre, OX3 8SB
Free for Science Oxford member schools; or £80 per teacher

Visit our website for more info and to sign up.

01/10/2026

Welcome to October! Get outdoors and join us for The Great Woodlouse Experiment at Nature Club, Saturday 10 October for ages 5-9! Our resident wildlife expert, Dan Moden, tells us what's in store...

Woodlice are amazing, find out why! We can see from prehistoric fossils that woodlice evolved over millions and millions of years, so they have super-strong survival skills. Make a LEGO woodlice maze to navigate, and collect materials in the woodland for scientific experiments* to test their decision making. Do they like light or dark, wet or dry, soil or leaves? Play the woodlouse game, and make a paper curl up crustacean to take home. *No woodlouse will be harmed in our experiments, and will safely return to their woodland habitat!

10.00AM – 11.30AM 12.30PM – 2.00PM 3.00PM – 4.30PM
Includes access to the outdoor areas, Water Lab and woodland, picnic tables and Visitor Café all day
Additional adults can attend with a ticket
Book ahead https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yM0NF0

01/10/2026

📣 Applications close this weekend!

Science Oxford’s popular STEM Insight Days are back for October half-term, giving Year 10 & 11 students and equivalent home-educated young people an exciting opportunity to explore where STEM could take them in the future.

For young people curious about science, technology, engineering or maths and thinking about STEM careers, our STEM Insight Days will open their eyes to a variety of roles and help them discover the incredible industries on their doorstep.

Participants will have the chance to:
⚛️ Go behind the scenes at leading STEM organisations, including Oxford Instruments, Vertex, Diamond Light Source.
🔬 Meet scientists, engineers and researchers, hear their career stories, and ask questions about studying and working in STEM
⚡ Take part in hands-on workshops, build practical skills, and experience real-world research
🤝 Connect with other young people who share a passion for science and technology

📆 26th to 28th October 2026
🏫 Science Oxford Centre, OX3 8SB, with trips to external businesses
Places are limited | Free to attend
Applications close on 4th October.

Link in comments to find out more and how to apply.

30/09/2026

Calling Home Educators! From coding to space adventures and nature's amazing pond-life, a new series of Home Educator visit days at the Science Oxford Centre is open for booking:

💻 Monday 5 October 2026 – An Introduction to Micro:bits
Discover the world of coding and technology through an introduction to Micro:bits, with additional hands-on circuit activities to explore.

🚀 Wednesday 17 February 2027 – Planetarium Experience
Journey through space in our inflatable planetarium and enjoy additional space-themed activities.

🐸 Monday 26 April 2027 – Pond-Dipping Adventure
Explore the fascinating wildlife living in our ponds and discover more about the natural world through outdoor investigations.

Our Home Educator Days combine themed STEM workshops, access to our Exploration Zone, and drop-in activities in a welcoming environment where children can investigate, create and discover at their own pace. Sessions are designed primarily for children aged 5–11yrs old.

We have made some changes to our 2026/27 programme after talking to local home educators and home schoolers. What's new?
- Reduced the ticket cost
- All workshops and shows suitable for a wider age range of 5–11
- Siblings are now able to attend, (Activity Sessions are not suitable for children outside the age-range). Younger siblings (4 and under) are free
- A shorter day (each event runs 10am – 12.30pm)
- A change of day of the week, so that those with regular commitments may still be able to attend
- All dates and themes for the year shared in advance

Find out more from our re-freshed online page and book ahead
https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yHP8D0

30/09/2026

Primary teachers, reserve these autumn dates from Science Oxford's Teacher Professional Learning programme in your diary.

Led by primary science expert Emma Pughe, our rich programme for primary teachers will support you to build expertise and enhance science teaching in your schools.

Coming up in the Autumn term:
October
🍂 5th October: Thinking, Doing, Talking Science Taster (twilight; online)
🍂 12th October: Supporting New and Developing Science Subject Leaders (10am-3pm; Science Oxford Centre)
🍂 19th October: Primary Science Teacher Network meeting (twilight; online)

November
🍂 9th November: Thinking, Doing, Talking Science Day 1 (Science Oxford Centre)
🍂 16th November: Practical Workshops with the Science Teaching Trust (twilight, Science Oxford Centre, free for all teachers)
🍂 23rd November: Strengthening Science Teaching (Years 1 & 2, Part one - morning (Year 1); afternoon (Year 2); Science Oxford Centre)
🍂 30th November: Strengthening science teaching (Years 3 & 4, Part one - morning (Year 3); afternoon (Year 4); Science Oxford Centre)

December
🍂 7th December: Strengthening science teaching (Years 5 & 6, Part one - morning (Year 5); afternoon (Year 6); Science Oxford Centre)
🍂 9th December: Thinking, Doing Talking Science Twilight (online)

For more information about each of the courses and for the full year programme, please visit our website.

29/09/2026

Half-term autumnal adventures from Skeletons to Splash Science, Pumpkin Trails and family Crime Scene Science!

🦴 Discover what's going on inside our amazing bodies - uncover the secrets of 'Skeletons' at Science Club (24 October, for ages 5-9).

🎃 Explore and experiment inside the Exploration Zone on a Family Day, test flying UAPs at the air table or create spookily good stop-motion animations. Outdoors, make a splash at the Water Lab, spot wildlife with Explorer backpacks, and follow the clues on the woodland Pumpkin Trail to win a treat! (24 & 31 October).

🔍 Our team are out and about at The Story Museum with 'Crime Scene Science', where families work together to crack the case! Investigate with real experiments, close observations and clever deductions, and piece together clues to solve the mystery before the suspects walk free! (29 October, The Story Museum, ages 5+).

Book ahead for half-term and see what's on:
https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0yHP8p0

28/09/2026

Year12's from Oxford state schools and colleges (or equivalent if home educated), there's just a few days left to apply for Science Oxford's flagship Scholarship Programme, starting in November 2026.

Find out more and apply at: https://scienceoxford.com/schools/secondary-schools/scholarship-programme/

Applications close on 30th September.

25/09/2026

A reminder to Year 12s, applications for Science Oxford's Scholarship Programme close on 30th September. If you're interested in exploring and preparing for a future in STEM, don't miss this incredible opportunity. Find out more at: https://scienceoxford.com/schools/secondary-schools/scholarship-programme/

Year 12's from Oxford state schools and colleges, & equivalent home-educated students, applications are open for Science Oxford’s flagship Scholarship Programme.

Through this brand-new 2-year programme, Science Oxford aims to support students in our local community with meaningful opportunities to explore and prepare for careers in STEM.

👉 What’s involved?
This hands-on accelerator programme, running from November 2026 to April 2028, will give students the opportunity to:
· Access real‑world STEM environments
· Experience authentic research and STEM projects
· Take part in STEM work experience-style activities
· Learn more about diverse roles and careers
· Develop essential communication, teamwork and leadership skills to support their career journey

All this will help craft a standout addition to UCAS personal statements or applications for future study and/or work experiences.

Find out more about what’s involved, who is eligible and how to apply by following the link in comments.

Applications close on 30th September 2026.

Cheney School, Greyfriars Catholic School, Oxford Spires Academy, City of Oxford College, The Leys College