Skip to navigation | Skip to main content | Skip to footer
Menu
Search the University of Manchester siteSearch Menu StaffNet

British Science Week sees over 1,000 pupils visit Manchester Museum

20 Mar 2026

University researchers and students welcome pupils to Manchester Museum for British Science week activities

British Science Week activities montage

British Science Week 2026 saw Manchester Museum come alive with discovery, conversation and hands-on learning as the University welcomed 1,189 school pupils from 26 schools across Greater Manchester and the North-West to take part in this year’s event.

Across two days, the Museum was transformed into a vibrant hub of discovery, bringing together 157 researchers and academic staff, alongside postgraduate and undergraduate students, including final-year SBS project students, to deliver 43 research stands showcasing the breadth of science across the University, from BioDiscovery to materials science, chemistry, physics and engineering. The event was supported by over 100 student volunteers organised through the Students’ Union, who helped to coordinate activities across the two days. Many of the participating schools were engaged through the University’s Widening Participation work.

Held on 9 and 10 March 2026, the event gave visiting pupils the chance to meet researchers directly, explore real-world science and engage with a wide range of interactive activities across three floors of Manchester Museum.

The research stands and their hands-on activities reflected the diversity of work taking place across the University, with activities covering health and biomedical science, cancer research, cell biology, infection and immunity, skin research, physiology, development and reproduction, climate and environmental science, plants and photosynthesis, biotechnology, graphene and materials science, chemistry, physics, engineering, artificial intelligence, volcanoes and geology, ancient life, and animal life in the Vivarium.

The event was a fantastic example of school outreach and public engagement, bringing together colleagues, students and volunteers from across the University to inspire curiosity in the next generation. By creating opportunities for young people to speak directly with researchers and experience science beyond the classroom, the event helped make research feel accessible, relevant and exciting.

The Head of Science at King David High School commented: "My staff and students have come back to school absolutely buzzing about how incredible the event was, both in terms of the engagement and also how well planned it was. Thank you for inspiring both our adults and children. The real-life applications the researchers shared are so powerful for helping young people think about their own futures."

The Director of Manchester Museum, Esme Ward, joined the celebrations, along with the University’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Duncan Ivison, who had the chance to see many of the activities taking place across the Museum. Reflecting on the event, Esme Ward said: “British Science Week is a special event for Manchester Museum, giving young people the chance to explore big ideas in creative and imaginative ways. It was inspirational to see pupils exploring science alongside researchers and students from across the University in the Museum’s galleries."

Professor Duncan Ivison commented: "Events like this show the impact of bringing young people into direct contact with the researchers and ideas that are shaping our future. It was inspiring to see Manchester Museum filled with such curiosity and energy, and we’re proud to play a role in encouraging the next generation to see science as something they can be part of."

The event was organised by Dr Shazia C. Hyatt (School of Biological Sciences, FBMH) and Barinur Rashid (Manchester Museum). Commenting on the event, Dr Shazia Hyatt said: "It was a real pleasure to see so many young people engaging so thoughtfully with the activities and speaking directly with researchers across the Museum. Events like this show how powerful school outreach and public engagement can be in opening up science, and we hope this event inspires more young people to pursue science in the future."

The activities formed part of the University’s wider commitment to public engagement and school outreach. Many of the researchers involved also contribute to the BioDiscovery website, an online resource featuring researcher videos, classroom materials and interactive content aimed at supporting teachers and inspiring young learners.

The event was supported and funded by the School of Biological Sciences (FBMH), Museum of Medicine and Health, and Manchester Museum.