Spacewalk to the stars at the Oxford Literary Festival Science Oxford invited local school children to unlock their inner astronaut at the Oxford Literary Festival with author and illustrator Kate Pankhurst Read More
Stargazing evening shines bright at the Science Oxford Centre The stars came out for Starry Night, an out-of-this-world stargazing evening and planetarium show at the Science Oxford Centre. Read More
Bats bed down for winter in the woodland In our household, we’re at that time of year when there is a constant battle over the thermostat. I’m very much of the mindset that when the temperature drops, it’s… Read More
Inspiring young people about STEM Science Oxford aims to inspire young people about STEM, but it isn’t only children who are inspired through Science Oxford’s work. Graham Quelch, aka ‘Mr Q The Science Guy’, unlocked his passion for engaging young people about STEM over 25 years ago. Read More
IF Oxford 2023 celebrating science and ideas It’s nearly festival time! Festivals are great celebrations, and IF Oxford, the Oxford science and ideas Festival, is a true celebration of science and ideas! Read More
Time waits for no one, not even nature Timescales are a funny thing when you work in nature. Some lives are begun, lived and end in almost the blink of an eye, while those of other living things can span centuries. Since I first visited the site of the Science Oxford Centre over seven years ago, some things have changed dramatically, but blissfully much has stayed the same. Read More
The super buzz of World Bee Day We love the buzz of energy every Saturday in the Science Oxford Centre, as families share in the excitement of discovering and exploring science. Last Saturday had an extra buzz about it with the celebration of World Bee Day at our monthly Nature Club. Read More
Good news about our great (crested) newts We love the energy of the awe-inspiring daytime activities at the Science Oxford Centre, but when the lights go down, between dusk and dawn, another world, just as wonderful, comes… Read More
Inspiring big, crazy dreams “Keep asking questions! Keep reaching for the stars!” These are inspiring words from Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock (MBE) – space scientist, celebrated STEM educator and communicator, and presenter of the long-standing… Read More
Sarah Townson receives prestigious High Sheriff of Oxfordshire’s Award 2023 Technology Projects Officer, Sarah Townson, has received a prestigious High Sheriff of Oxfordshire’s Award 2023, presented at a ceremony on Monday 27 March by Mark Beard, the High Sheriff of… Read More
Science Oxford fires up enthusiasm for science during British Science Week The Great Kimble Primary School hall echoed with gasps of awe and delight. Alice had just set a puff of cornflour alight and a cloud of fire flashed in front… Read More
Spring’s reward The winter is a relatively calm period of the year when, apart from cleaning muddy boots and trying to keep warm, there isn’t too much that needs doing urgently. That’s not to say that I’m not busy, but the outdoor environment doesn’t change on a daily basis! This past year has been particularly unusual with the dry and warm conditions we’ve experienced and it will be interesting to see what the rest of the year has in store for us. Read More
Building science capital as an approach to STEM engagement Science Oxford Centre Operations Manager Dr Emily Fisk advocates that science communication and engagement should be approached through the lens of developing ‘science capital’, requiring dynamic and flexible engagement that considers people’s existing relationships with science, and which can help to address inequity in STEM. Read More
Joining in the UK’s largest annual tree celebration – National Tree Week 2022 National Tree Week runs from 26 November to 4 December, marking the start of the best period of the year to plant trees. Ignore those photographs of dignitaries planting trees in the middle of a hot summer to mark the opening of a new housing development. Read More
The ‘favourite’ autumn season and climate With thoughts turning to the climate, we caught up with our Outdoor Learning and Ecology Manager, Roger Baker, for his insight and experience in the woodland at the Science Oxford Centre this autumn. Read More
Celebrating our valuable volunteers In an activity-packed, often frantic world of busy-ness, limited time is a precious commodity. So, charities and organisations like The Oxford Trust, and its Science Oxford team, are immensely grateful to all the volunteers who choose to spend their valuable time to support and work with us. Read More
Working together to impact our communities It takes a team to achieve real and lasting impact. In her wisdom, Mother Teresa couldn’t have put it more simply when she said, “I can do things you cannot; you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” Her sentiments highlight the real value in our relationships and connections with partners within the communities we serve. Drawing on each other’s strengths, we can achieve more. Read More
Gadgeteers enjoy inventive library tour this summer We were delighted to visit seven libraries across Oxfordshire this summer with our free Incredible Inventions family show… Read More
Presenter Network Oxfordshire is back for 2022! Calling Oxfordshire presenters! If you love inspiring audiences in museums, discovery and visitor centres, science communication or the media, the Presenter Network is for you! Our Education Programme Officer, Ian Snell, dons his ‘Presenting-hat’ as leader of the Oxfordshire Hub and tells all… Read More
Applications now open for our STEM Insight Week Applications are now open for our next STEM Insight Week, which takes place at half-term from 24–28 October. We have an exciting week planned to help Year 10 students gain insight into STEM working life, and to inspire their path into STEM careers. Read More
“Science Oxford changed my life” We met Steven Williams at the Wood Centre for Innovation to find out how Science Oxford changed his life. Read More
Catapulting careers in STEM – meet our placement student If you’re considering a career in STEM, there’s a world of opportunity waiting! Earlier this year we were delighted to welcome a PhD student from Sheffield University, Ruth Thomas, who… Read More
A not completely alive Live Lab session If you visit the Science Oxford Centre for a Family Day this summer, you just might see something unusual. Our pop up ‘Live Lab’ is an interactive space where families get to meet a scientist, student or researcher – or one of our expert team. Read More
Celebrating young scientists of tomorrow Celebrating the science stars of tomorrow! As The Oxford Trust (our parent charity) announced recipients of their Covid Innovation Heroes Awards 2021 – where scientists and organisations were recognised for their contribution… Read More
Children reach for the Stars with Dr Maggie’s Space tour! “She encourages you to reach for the stars…” Local school children were ‘over the moon’ to watch a Grand Tour of the Solar System with Space scientist and BBC The… Read More
Climate of change – students look to the future for STEM Insight Week During an unseasonably warm October and the build up to COP26 – the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow – we were excited to welcome an enthusiastic group of young people to our… Read More
Summer woodland delights at the Science Oxford Centre Enjoying the outdoors this summer? We were delighted to finally welcome back visitors to our Centre this season, where we are lucky enough to have 15 acres of woodlands, grassland… Read More
Wantage Church of England Primary and The Disraeli School win Science Oxford’s Big Science Event 2021 A team of children from Wantage Church of England Primary School Nursery won this year’s Big Science Event for Oxfordshire with their experiment on What makes snow melt faster? and… Read More
Abingdon’s ATOM Festival science challenge weekend We’re delighted to take part in the ATOM Festival of Science and Technology interactive event in Abingdon this weekend (June 11-13). All are welcome to get involved, engage with science… Read More
Nest Generation: celebrating National Nest Box Week at Science Oxford Britain’s wildlife is close to all our hearts, especially at the moment during lockdown. To celebrate National Nest Box Week – starting on 14th February, we take a look at… Read More
Science Oxford – year in review and hope for 2021 What a year! 2020 started with our programmes in full swing – our new Science Oxford Centre was booked with school visits until July, our public family days were continually… Read More
Celebrating the region’s best school scientists Every year Science Oxford celebrates outstanding Year 13 science students across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire at our Young Scientists of the Year Award. Usually, the event is held amongst the dinosaurs… Read More
Results of Thinking, Doing, Talking Science programme now published The impact on pupil attainment and attitudes of Science Oxford and Oxford Brookes University’s Thinking, Doing, Talking Science professional development programme for teachers has just been published in the International… Read More
Science Oxford’s STEM Insight Week goes virtual In October half-term, Science Oxford’s STEM Insight Week gave a group of secondary school students a virtual insight into some of the most cutting-edge biomedical science organisations in Oxfordshire and… Read More
Jude Bennett joins our Board of Trustees The Oxford Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Jude Bennett to the Board of Trustees. Jude is Headteacher of St Andrew’s Primary in Headington, close to our Science… Read More
Science Oxford one of 150 signatures to call for support for UK science centres Science Oxford is one of 153 signatures from the UK’s STEM community to have signed an open letter to government, including leading lights Professor Brian Cox, astronauts Major Tim Peake… Read More
Celebrating 30 years of science magic This October we mark the 30-year anniversary of CuriOXity, our very first science centre, which opened to the public in the Old Fire Station, George Street in 1990. To celebrate… Read More
Science Oxford programmes re-open for schools With the start of the new academic year, we are pleased to announce that we are now re-opening all our programmes for schools across Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire. Over the summer… Read More
OxSource supporting Science Oxford’s STEM Careers Programme We are pleased to say that local recruitment company OxSource is supporting our STEM Careers programme this year. OxSource a young, dynamic Oxford-based technology recruitment agency. Their STEM graduate programme… Read More
Winners of the Big Science Event at Home announced! Our panel of science-friendly judges have now selected the winners of Science Oxford’s first Big Science Event at Home competition. We’d like to give a big virtual applaud to… Read More