Bookable events
There are 15 bookable events over the weekend including a spectacular ‘Giant Bubble’ show and a thrilling ‘Dangerous Science’ session. Explore the coral reef with Techniquest or meet ‘real life sea monsters’ with renowned science communicators Incredible Oceans. All this and more!
Join us for thrills, spills and lots of fun learning with our special guests and book you space below
Saturday 28th October at the National Waterfront Museum
Samsam Bubbleman's Giant Bubble Science Show (Fully Booked)
10.30am & 12.15pm
Warehouse Gallery
£3
Suitable for all
(Fully Booked)
Samsam Bubbleman is THE world's leading expert in soap bubbles with over 30 years of experience, 12 Guinness World Records and a clientele that includes Lady Gaga and Royal Families around the world!
Samsam Bubbleman's Giant Bubble Science Show includes light, water, weather, gravity and incredible bubble tricks. The emphasis is on fun but reminding them how much FUN science can be!
...Awarded the World Record for the Largest Practical Science Lesson!
Book now
Mars, Fact & Fiction - Talk (Fully Booked)
12pm
Dockside Room
FREE
Suitable for adults, and children aged 8+
(Fully Booked)
Join Andrew Loud, as he separates Mars fact from Mars fiction, in this dramatic presentation illustrated by stunning images, and music.
Suitable for adults, and children aged 8+
Book now
The Dangerous Science Show
2pm & 4pm
Ocean Room
£3
Suitable for all, min age 7 +
If you like your science hot, noisy and with an element of risk then this is most definitely the show for you!
Be blown away by dangerous demonstrations in a frantic hour of science-based excitement.
The show explores the role that hot gas has played in the development of human civilisation through the medium of whips, burning axes, facial heat shields and the odd explosion or two.
Please Note - This show includes loud noises and bangs!
Presented by Wonderstruck
Book now
Loving Maggots! (Fully Booked)
2.30pm
Dockside Room
FREE
Suitable for adults and children aged minimum age 8+
(Fully Booked)
Maggots are a wonderful and effective way to treat chronic or hard-to-heal wounds!
Our research group at Swansea University has made scientific discoveries that explain how maggots act to help wounds heal.
However, public awareness and perception of maggot therapy are often very poor and generally very negative.
By sharing and highlighting our work we aim to change the “yucky” perception of these wonderful creatures!
With Professor Yamni Nigam
Book now
Science Busker
2.30pm & 4.15pm
Warehouse Gallery
£3
Suitable for all, minimum age 7 +
Join for us for this fantastic science experience with award-winning science busker David Price.
A chance for all the family to engage with demonstrations, and practical experiments in this fun, interactive show (...featuring the 2nd largest whoopee cushion in the world!)
Delivered by Science Made Simple.
Book now
Please note: both adults and children require tickets for the shows.
Festival Package - Book 3 or more paid events in your ticket basket to save 30%!
Book 3 or more paid events to save 30%!
Sunday 29th October at the National Waterfront Museum
The Ocean Show (Fully Booked)
10.30am - Welsh, 11.30am - English
Ocean Room
FREE
Suitable for all, minimum age 5+
(Fully Booked)
Join us on a journey that takes us from the most vibrant coral reefs to the darkest depths below, where we’ll find fish that glow in the dark and a whole host of curious creatures along the way.
We’ll find out more about the way our seas are changing and what we can all do to help protect the underwater environment for future generations.
This show includes loud noises and bangs!
Book now
Real-Life Sea Monsters (Fully Booked)
12pm
Dockside Room
£3
Suitable for all, minimum age 7+
(Fully Booked)
Embark on a voyage of discovery as we learn about the animals that inspired countless fishy tales and salty sea-dog stories.
Including object display and handling specimens.
Presented by Incredible Oceans – The Science and Art of Communicating about Life Below Water.
Book now
Gastronaut Extreme: Eat My Science!
1pm
Warehouse Gallery
£4.50
Suitable for all, minimum age 6 +
An unforgettable, explosive edible adventure with BBC Gastronaut Stefan Gates.
Expect food flame-throwing, freaky sweets, real gold-covered chocolate, live insects, rockets, weird food tasters and some very strange digestion demos!
Stefan Gates is renowned for his world-class science and food shows.
Please Note - This show includes loud noises and bangs!
Book now
The Royal Institution Presents... Super Cells
2pm
Ocean Room
£3
Suitable for all, minimum age 7 +
What makes you sick? Why do you, I, and every other human get ill? Join our Ri presenter as they dive deep into your very cells to see how bacteria and viruses invade our bodies and try to take over, and more importantly: what can we do to fight back? From ancient medicines to modern miracles, we’ll see how science supports and improves our bodies’ natural defences. From antibiotics to vaccines, to a future where we could train our bodies to cure themselves of almost anything!
Please Note - This show includes loud noises and bangs!
Book now
Journey into the Deep
2.30pm
Dockside Room
£3
Suitable for all, minimum age 7 +
An underwater voyage into the deep ocean, stopping to investigate the different creatures we encounter along the way.
Including object display and handling specimens.
Presented by Incredible Oceans – The Science and Art of Communicating about Life Below Water
Book now
Rude Science
3.30pm
Warehouse Gallery
£4.50
Suitable for all, minimum age 6 +
Stefan Gates’ explosive new 2023 show reveals everything you always wanted to know about the revolting (but vital) science that no one ever talks about!
Expect zits, burps, farts, snot, scabs, pee, vomit, snot, blood, sweat and tears, all brought to life with stunts, rockets, fart machines, sneeze machines and enormous bottoms.
Please note - This show includes loud noises and bangs!
Book now
The Royal Institution Presents...We've got the power!
4pm
Ocean Room
£3
Suitable for all, minimum age 7 +
Join the highly acclaimed Royal Institution for a show jam packed with experiments and explosions, this frenetic fun family show will leave you feeling fully charged!
We’ve Got The Power - explores how fossil fuels effect our climate, and the physics and chemistry of storing electricity.
Please Note - This show includes loud noises and bangs!
Book now
Please note: both adults and children require tickets for the shows.
Festival Package - Book 3 or more paid events in your ticket basket to save 30%!
Book 3 or more paid events to save 30%!
Check other events happening around the half-term
Science Festival Extras
Tuesday 31st October
31 October - 3 November, 10am – 3pm
The Egypt Centre, Swansea University Singleton Campus
£20 per child per day
Suitable for ages 6-11
Join us for on an exciting Halloween adventure this half-term with the Egypt Centre children’s workshops!
Dress up as powerful gods and goddesses as you team up to save the world from the monstrous sun-eating snake Apophis. Explore the art of hieroglyphs as you learn to write magical spells on real papyrus and create your very own cat mummy craft to take home with you!
Guardians are to drop children off in the morning and collect them at the end of the workshop.
Please provide your children with a packed lunch.
Book your place today!
Call us: 01792 295 960
Email us: egyptcentre@swansea.ac.uk
Booking will only be confirmed on receipt of completed consent form and payment.
Fish Dissection
Halloween Science Festival Extra
31st October, 11.30am & 2.30pm
Dockside Room, the National Waterfront Museum
£4
Minimum age 9 +
Half Term Science Festival Special
Join Incredible Oceans, to find out what amazing biological adaptations make a fish a fish, as we conduct a scientific dissection.
This is a hands-on workshop - not for the squeamish!
Presented by Incredible Oceans – The Science and Art of Communicating about Life Below Water
This workshop is for older children. Age restriction 9+
Please note that this workshop uses sharp implements for the dissection.
Festival Package - Book 3 or more paid events in your ticket basket to save 30%!
...Materials are allocated per participant with a paid ticket. Supporting adults are encouraged to help their child with the session, but will not be allocated their own materials.
Max 1 supporting adults per 2 children
Book Now
Wednesday 1st November
1st November, 11am & 2pm
Oriel Science Venue, Castle Street
FREE
Suitable for all
As part of this year's Swansea Science Festival, join Oriel Science's workshop "The Shape of Speed" and design a model car to compete against others; make a CD hovercraft and have a go on our ‘SURE car’ an open-wheeler competitive racing car designed by Swansea University students.
Session 1: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Session 2: 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
Book your FREE place
Book now
1st November, 11.30am & 2.30pm
Ocean Room, the National Waterfront Museum
£4
Age 8+
Dive in, and learn about amazing Orca anatomy, evolution and behaviour, while you draw our replica Orca skull.
All materials provided
Suitable for Age 8+
Presented by Incredible Oceans – The Science and Art of Communicating about Life Below Water
Festival Package - Book 3 or more paid events in your ticket basket to save 30%!
...Materials are allocated per participant with a paid ticket. Supporting adults are encouraged to help their child with the session, but will not be allocated their own materials.
Max 2 supporting adults per group.
Book Now
Thursday 2nd November
Naughty Nature with Ben Garrod
CANCELLED
CANCELLED
2nd November, 7.30pm
Warehouse Gallery, the National Waterfront Museum
£4.50
18+
This adult-only sexy science panel event reveals all about the natural world, and finally shares all the salacious secrets you won’t see in a nature documentary. From animal orgies to acrobatic performances in your own garden, join our panel of experts and broadcasters as they see what nature really gets up to when no one is looking. This light-hearted science-based show challenges the audience to see whether our panel members are telling the truth each time, or whether there are a few blue lies being slipped in.
Audience 18+
Evolutionary biologist, author and TV presenter Professor Ben Garrod has lived worldwide, from the Arctic to the equatorial forests of Africa, saving some of the world's most endangered species, from sharks and whales to chimpanzees and orangutans.
Festival Package - Book 3 or more paid events in your ticket basket to save 30%!
Book Now
Across the Dragon’s Back
CANCELLED
CANCELLED
2nd November, 6pm
FREE
Suitable for adults
An ordinary man takes on an extraordinary race.
Swansea University sports scientists Laura Mason and Nick Owen followed TV presenter, evolutionary biologist and occasional 10k runner Ben Garrod as he trained for and attempted the 380km Dragon’s Back race across the summits of Wales from Conwy to Cardiff.
As a fellow scientist, Ben willingly submitted himself for a battery of tests before, during and after the race, including muscle function, cognitive tests, and daily blood and urine sampling.
It was a rare opportunity to study the effects of extreme activity on the human body so completely.
Join Ben, Laura and Nick to find out how he got on and what it takes to complete such an epic challenge.
Book now
Past Events...
Friday 20th October
Floods, Sweats and Tears
Swansea University vs the Menopause
20th October, 4.30pm – 6.30pm
Taliesin Create, Swansea University Singleton Campus
FREE
Join a host of high-profile speakers this autumn for what promises to be a memorable event highlighting how Swansea University is taking on the menopause.
Host, Kate Lewis from ITV Wales will be joined by Carolyn Harris, MP for Swansea East, and Dr Louise Newson, GP and Menopause Specialist who has built up a global audience via the Dr Louise Newson menopause and perimenopause information podcast. Together, they will talk about the current menopause landscape across the UK, and why it is vital that more support becomes available for those going through the menopause.
Swansea University’s Dr Aimee Grant and Dr Rachel Churm will be presenting their findings on their menopause research and there will be further discussions on how Swansea University is addressing the menopause via teaching.
There will be an opportunity for both presenters and audience to share personal stories about the menopause and any questions can be addressed through a Q&A session.
We will also be identifying how the University can put in place its own support structures for those experiencing the menopause.
The event will take place on 20 October between 4.30 – 6.30 at the Taliesin Arts Centre. The event is free, but tickets must be booked via the Taliesin Box Office.
Past Events...
Friday 27th October
27th October, 10:30am-15:00pm
Taliesin Create, Swansea University Singleton Campus
FREE
Suitable for all
We are delighted to invite you to take part in an event that takes place as part of a UKRI Festival of Social Science on Friday 27th October 2023. Join Bangor University, Cardiff University and Swansea University at the Taliesin Arts Centre in Swansea for a pan-Wales day of fun, informal and interactive events on wellbeing.
Activities are free to attend and will run throughout the day for attendees to drop in, alongside workshops at specific times which can be pre-booked. Refreshments will be served throughout the day.
Agenda and Registration
Festival of Social Science
Wellbeing in Everyday Life, From Ancient Egypt to Today!
