Are there any STEM events/conferences for me and my son (6) to attend?

[stemdad]

I am looking for events or conferences about STEM where my son can get a glimpse of various disciplines in STEM and have fun. We went to the Science Bazaar in Oxford in February, and I was wondering if there are any similar opportunities in London, Oxford, Cambridge, or national (might be a good excuse to go on holiday!)

Thanks

Not quite what you asked for, but how about a STEM holiday club in the school holidays?

DS has been to this one a few times (first went age 5, and really enjoyed it). They cover various bits of biology, engineering, physics and chemistry, and come home with 90 million bits of tat beautiful models each night.

Not sure if there is one near you, but if not there may be something similar.

The Wonderlab at the science museum might appeal- they have lots of shows on different themes along with VERY COOL interactives, and the Explainers who do them are young and fun. You can couple it with a wander round the museum and the natural history next door (avoid the dinosaurs- overrated- and head for the geology bit where you get to be in an earthquake).

There is the Big Bang Fair in Birmingham every year. I think it may be in June this year.

Science museum was my first thought also.

I’ve recommended this before, but Winchester Science Centre is amazing for primary aged kids and definitely worth a weekend break if you live in the southeast (Winchester is lovely anyway).

I’ve also heard great things about the national space centre, but haven’t been myself yet.

'Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SOTSEF) is the University of Southampton's annual award-winning interdisciplinary science festival that allows everyone to explore and discover what the world of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) has to offer.'

Although you have missed it for this year our DDs loved this.

There are quite a few national companies running science/IT based holiday courses.

Look at local science museums- they will have events. And look up your nearest university (follow them on twitter) to see what is going on. There are often things happening.

University of Nottingham does a Summer Scientist event for primary school kids to take part in research and other universities probably do similar.

New Scientist Live is brilliant! In London, round about Sept /Oct every year

Cheltenham Science Festival, and the Literature one often has STEM events too. Activities for all ages.

He’s slightly too young this summer, but when he turns 7, the Royal Institution do some brilliant holiday workshops in London - that would be for him to do on his own, though.

@stemdad I recommend you subscribe to the mailing list for the Royal Institution - they do lots of events for children, and summer activities for different age-groups: https://www.rigb.org/

Also, I've been to this conference with older children and they found it very engaging: https://live.newscientist.com/

Also, the National Physical Laboratory does some good outreach events, including an annual rocket challenge event which is fun. You can sign up to their mailing list here: https://www.npl.co.uk/measure-up

Imperial college hold a festival every June / July. Some things will be too old for him but if you go early he should be able to watch some fun demos. The museums are literally on the doorstep too.

The Royal institution used to do summer workshops. Mine went pre-pandemic and extracted their DNA.

Royal Institution Christmas lectures?

The Smallpeice Trust runs engineering activities from age 12+, but they also have a list of activities you could do at home with younger children: https://www.smallpeicetrust.org.uk/engineering-at-home

EDT do engineering experiences from age 7+ ... https://www.etrust.org.uk/experiences-age-7-17

Try this, OP.

(No affiliation, but speaking as a scientist, this looks marvellous and I wish I lived close enough to attend!)/

https://www.harwellcampus.com/open-day-2024/

https://pintofscience.co.uk/

Pint of Science.

Royal Institution for sure. Their family days were mega. My DC also enjoyed a couple of their courses. They have a learning need which RI coped with. The lectures are also very accessible for teens even if aimed at adults.

We did Adult lates at UCL occasionally.

V&A used to run 1 day design course for teens. There was 1 on car design, so worth looking.

Whereas Smallpeice were disgraceful. I spent a long time setting it up, getting directions from school etc. The "tutor" was totally ignorant and gave my child awful feedback without any comments. I was there everyday as my DC couldn't cope with the residential. I spoke to the Smallpeice staff, other tutors who knew staff at my DC school, tutors who wanted to know about the learning need and how DC was managing it etc. That was all very +. So the feedback form was a real shock. Smallpeice can't say it as they are a charity but only really want very academic students wanting uni. Even back then they had more on trans in their brochures than SEN. So read between the lines.

Forgot the Fossil Festival at Lyme Regis had lots of science bits. And was very well organised.

Glad someone mentioned Cheltenham Science Festival. There's a good mix of free stuff in marquees which is hands on (usually run by different companies/ universities) and paid for events. We've got tickets to some of the family events that run at the weekend.

Imperial College London and Cambridge University organize science festivals

www.greatexhibitionroadfestival.co.uk/

cambridgesciencefestival.org/