Outreach

The School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy has an active schools' and colleges' outreach team who endeavour to promote the study of these three disciplines at Higher Education level.

This is achieved through an extensive programme of events as well as close contact with a network of teachers, from local schools and further afield.

Our regular and ad hoc events, which attract hundreds of participants each year, are tailored to address the needs of both students and teachers. A number of events are designed to directly support aspects of the science curriculum which may be more difficult to teach in school.

Reading Scholars Programme

The Reading Scholars Programme gives Year 12 students a real taste of life as a university undergraduate. It provides participants with practical support as they begin their higher education application process.

Featuring input from leading academics and current undergraduate e-mentors, the programme aims to challenge participants academically and enhance their current studies.

As part of our commitment to widening participation, the programme is for students who meet our widening participation criteria.

Applications for the Reading Scholars Programme will open in October.

School Ambassador Scheme

The Departments of Food and Nutritional Sciences and Pharmacology, in collaboration with the National Centre for Biotechnology Education (NCBE), run an exciting School Ambassador Scheme.

As part of this initiative, final-year university students visit local schools and colleges to deliver engaging sessions to Year 12 science students. These visits often include a hands-on relevant science practical, followed by a talk where ambassadors share their experiences of university life, their degree courses, industrial placements, and future career plans.

Talk-only visits are also available for schools that may not be able to accommodate a practical session, offering the same valuable insight into university study and non-clinical science career pathways.

This scheme is particularly beneficial for students interested in exploring non-clinical careers in science.

British Science Week: Inspiring Talks in Local Schools

To celebrate British Science Week 2025, academics from the School of Chemistry, Food Science and Pharmacy at the University of Reading visited local schools and colleges to deliver a series of engaging talks on a wide range of scientific topics.

Each session on average attracted audiences of over 100 students, with topics including:

The bacteria in our gut
How drugs affect the body
A day in the life of a pharmaceutical scientist

We’re excited to announce that we’ll be running this outreach programme again for British Science Week 2026 in March.

If your school is local to the University of Reading and you’d like to host a talk, please get in touch: scfpoutreach@reading.ac.uk.

Spectroscopy Masterclass – University of Reading

The University of Reading’s Chemistry Department is hosting its popular Spectroscopy Masterclass on Tuesday 4th November 2025 and Tuesday 3rd March 2026.

This hands-on session is designed for A-level Chemistry students, offering practical experience with key analytical techniques including IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and ¹H/¹³C NMR. Students will work in university labs, using real instruments and data to deepen their understanding of how chemists apply these tools in real-world problem-solving.

The session closely aligns with the A-level Chemistry specification, particularly the analytical techniques section, and helps demystify challenging topics through expert guidance and engaging activities. To register please follow the link here or email scfpoutreach@reading.ac.uk.

Scientists of the Future day

Scientists of the Future day is an exciting, full-day event held at the University of Reading, giving students the chance to experience a range of scientific disciplines through interactive, hands-on activities.

The day is divided into three engaging sessions:

Gel Electrophoresis Practical: Step into the lab and get hands-on with molecular biology techniques.

Colourful Chemistry & Equilibria: Discover the dynamic world of chemical equilibria through eye-catching experiments.

Sensory Science: Explore how taste and smell work together in our specialist food sensory suite and understand how these senses shape our perception of food.

This event is part of our widening participation programme and is aimed at students who meet our WP criteria.

Due to high demand and limited places, early registration is strongly recommended.

This year Scientists of the Future Day will be held on 31st March 2026. If you would like us to notify you know when registration opens then please contact scfpoutreach@reading.ac.uk to join our mailing list.

Future of Food Schools Workshop – 7 July 2026

The University of Reading, in collaboration with the Royal Society of Chemistry Food Group, is excited to host the Future of Food Schools Workshop on Tuesday 7th July 2026.

We warmly invite a teacher and up to ten students (Years 9–12) from your school to join us for a fun, interactive day exploring the global challenges facing our food system — and how chemistry can help solve them.

The workshop will include:

Inspiring talks from industry experts
Hands-on activities and teamwork challenges
Exciting prizes to be won!

This event is designed to inform and inspire both students and teachers, showcasing the real-world impact of chemistry in tackling food-related issues. Places are limited, so please register your interest here before November. For more information, contact: scfpoutreach@reading.ac.uk.

Neurosparks

Neurosparks is an inspiring two-day event held at the University of Reading at the end of July, designed to ignite curiosity and passion for neuroscience and related fields.

Throughout the event, Year 12 students take part in a variety of interactive, hands-on activities, from building model brains to exploring techniques for boosting memory and cognitive performance. Students will also gain insights into cutting-edge brain science research and what it’s like to study neuroscience at university.

This is the perfect opportunity for anyone considering a future in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical sciences, or similar disciplines. If you would like us to notify you know when registration opens then please contact scfpoutreach@reading.ac.uk to join our mailing list.

Subject specific taster days at the University of Reading

Each year, we offer a range of taster days in pharmacy, pharmacology, chemistry, and food science; all designed to give you a real insight into what it’s like to study these subjects at Reading.

These interactive, hands-on events include subject-specific practical activities and sessions led by academic staff. During the chemistry and food science taster day, students can tailor their experience by choosing:

two chemistry activities
two food science activities
or one of each, ideal for those still exploring their options.

All taster days also include a guided campus tour, lunch and the chance to hear directly from our current students about their experiences at university.

Whether you're set on a subject or still deciding, our taster days are a great way to explore your interests and get a feel for university life. If you would like us to let you know when registration opens then please.

Register your interest

Upcoming Outreach Opportunities in Chemistry, Food Science, and Pharmacy

Taste of Nutrition Day

The University of Reading is delighted to be hosting our Taste of Nutrition Day on 4^th March 2026. This is an all-day event for years 11 and 12, to give students a chance to experience what it is like to study and work in the field of nutrition.

Are you curious about a career in nutrition or dietetics? Join us for an immersive Nutrition Taster Day designed to give you a real insight into what studying and working in this field is like.

The morning will take place in our pilot plant, where you’ll take part in a practical session creating a food product using different flours and exploring how these choices alter protein content. This session also includes a guided tour of the pilot plant, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at food production and innovation.

At lunchtime, you’ll experience our Menus of Change initiative first-hand. This showcases how our nutrition staff work collaboratively to influence the food served on campus, promoting healthier, more sustainable choices for both students and staff.

In the afternoon, the focus shifts to the clinical side of nutrition. You’ll explore what it’s like to work as a nutritionist and dietitian, gaining insight into real-world practice and professional pathways. The day will also feature talks from current student ambassadors and alumni, who will share their experiences of studying nutrition and their journeys beyond graduation.

This taster day is a great opportunity to explore the science, impact, and career possibilities within nutrition in a hands-on and inspiring way.

Click the button below and fill out the form to register your interest.