University takes interactive science to local Science Bazaar

Researchers from the University of Reading will inspire young minds at this year’s Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar, offering hands-on activities and interactive experiments on Saturday 1 March 2025.

The event, held at the Headington Campus, promises a day of exploration, discovery and fun for families and children aged 5 to 16 years.

Three research teams from the University of Reading will showcase their exciting work through immersive activities designed to engage and educate.

Weather wonders

Dr Mark Muetzelfeldt, Postdoctoral Researcher in Meteorology, will bring the magic of the weather to life with a cloud-in-a-bottle experiment showing how clouds form. He will demonstrate some of the reasons why the climate is warming by using a thermal camera to show how different materials absorb and emit radiation differently depending on the wavelength. A tornado-in-a-bottle experiment will also give children a chance to get close to one of weather’s most impressive phenomena.

Understanding pain

Postgraduate research students in Pharmacy Tate Askey, Sofia Fontana-Giusti and Daniel Allen-Ross will explore the question "Why do we need pain?". Visitors can test their pain tolerance in the ice bucket challenge and learn about the importance of pain research and animal testing. Fun activities such as crosswords, word searches and colouring will also be available.

A sensory investigation

Professor Carmel Houston-Price and Dr Natalie Ellison from Psychology will bring "The veggie detective: A sensory investigation", where children can use their senses to explore vegetables in a playful, detective-style challenge. The team aims to promote healthy eating by boosting children's familiarity with vegetables and increasing their willingness to taste and like them. Activities include ‘guess the vegetable in the bag’, ‘where do your vegetables grow?’ and fun crafts such as making peas in a pod and crafting carrots.

Inspiring young scientists

The Oxford Brookes Science Bazaar is a free event aimed at inspiring curiosity and learning among young people. With over 70 hands-on activities, workshops and demonstrations, the festival provides a fun and educational day out for families.

Date: Saturday 1 March 2025
Location: Oxford Brookes University, Headington Campus, Oxford, OX3 0BP
Our stands will be located in the John Henry Brookes Building and the Union Hall.
Time: Autism-friendly early opening: 9:30am - 11:30am | General opening: 11:30am - 4:00pm

Don’t miss this chance to learn, explore, and be amazed by the wonders of science!

Book tickets here.