Merthyr Science Festival

24/10/2026

With it being half term we thought it would be the perfect time to get some activities made ready to take trick or treating.

You could have a go at making these spider bots.
https://raisinglifelonglearners.com/spider-bots-halloween-stem/

If you would like an activity that isn't too resource heavy then why not make some pull tab jump scare spiders.
https://www.adventure-in-a-box.com/diy-paper-jack-in-the-box-with-a-spider/

We would love to see what you make so please tag us in any posts with your creepy creations.

17/10/2026

Although we often think of Halloween as an American holiday, did you know that Halloween began over 2,000 years ago? It's actually an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain (pronounced sow-in or sow-en) based in Ireland, the UK, and Northern Europe. Samhian was an ancient Gaelic festival celebrated from the evening of October 31 to November 1 that marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

It included many traditions that we still see now, including:
🔥 Lighting protective bonfires
🧙‍♀️ Dressing up to ward off spirits
🍭 Leaving food and drink outside for spirits
🎃 They used carve turnips instead of pumpkins
🍏 There were many games played including apple bobbing.

10/10/2026

🎃 With just 3 weeks to go until Halloween, we’re getting into the spooky spirit! 👻

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing scary stories, spooky science and creepy activities to get you in the Halloween mood… starting with something straight out of a horror film: zombie ants! 🐜🧟

Zombie ants are ants that have been infected by a fungus called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis. What makes this fungus extra creepy is the way it affects the behaviour of the ant for it's own reproduction and survival. When the ant comes into contact with the fungus, the spores drill into the exoskeleton of the ant and starts to feed on the insides (ewww 🤢). Eventually the fungus stops the ant from following the colony and makes it climb onto a twig and lock on with its jaws only to die a few days later. Stalks shoot out from the ants head ready for the cycle to start all over again.

Nature can be scarier than fiction… 👀

04/10/2026

The 8th - 18th October is National Biology Week. A week which celebrates and raises the profile of the achievements of all the biosciences and the important work that bioscientists are doing. This years theme is "A complete celebration of biology and nature from A to Z"

Why not use the theme of this years National Biology Week to submit an entry to the BioCraft competiton, which runs from 12th October to 4th November. You are invited to create a biology-inspired 3D artwork from recycled, or other, materials. The competition is open to anyone in the UK and internationally.

Entries are free of charge and the competition is open to all ages.

The Royal Society of Biology's BioCraft competition encourages participants to create a biology-inspired 3D artwork from recycled, or other, materials.

24/09/2026

https://newportlive.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173692438

19/09/2026

Well we think it's fair to say summer is quickly moving behind us as we look out of our window and see much needed grey clouds and rain.

Why not give this activity a go, it's quick to set up with things you may already have at home.

All you'll need is a balloon and an empty drinks can. Once you've blown up the balloon, rub it on your top and then hold it against the drinks can to see how far you can move it!!!

What you can see is static electricity at work. When you rub the balloon on your top you're moving electrons making the balloon negatively charged. When the balloon moves towards the drinks can, the negative particles get repelled to the other side of the drinks can, leaving the positive particles facing the balloon. Meaning the balloon pulls the drinks can towards it.

- What other things can you move?
- Does everything move towards the balloon (attraction) or can you find things that move away (repel) ?
- Do some things move faster than others?
- How far can you move something?

Show Me The Science managed to move a polystyrene ball. Can you beat them??????

16/09/2026

JJoin the Institiute of Physics and the Royal Society of Chemsitry at Super Science Saturday on 10th October at Brecon High Schoool - don't miss out - plenty of fun for all the family. Book your place now https://SuperScienceSaturday.eventbrite.co.uk
IOP Wales

15/09/2026

Interested in finding out more about careers in pathology?

The Pathology Training Leads across Wales are hosting a Virtual Pathology Work Experience Day on Wednesday 28 October 2026, from 9:15am to 4:30pm.

The day will provide an opportunity to hear from professionals working across a wide range of pathology disciplines, alongside a careers information and opportunities to ask questions directly to those working in the field.

The event will be delivered via Microsoft Teams and is open to anyone interested in finding out more about careers in biomedical science and pathology.

Register using the form below

12/09/2026

Did you know that 120 years ago the Newport Transporter Bridge opened. Over 9,000 people crossed the River Usk on the opening day and is one of fewer than 10 transporter bridges that remain in use worldwide - only a few dozen were ever built.

A transporter bridge is a type of suspension bridge that transports a gondola or platform suspended from a carriage that travels across the bridge. The gondola can transport vehicles, passengers, and goods.

The bridge is Grade I listed, meaning that it is of the highest architectural and historical importance and is also a Scheduled Monument, meaning that it is a nationally important archaeological site.

The bridge has been used in several films and television shows, including Doctor Who and Torchwood.

29/08/2026

On this day in 1831 Michael Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction.

What is electromagnetic induction and why is it important? Electromagnetic induction, simply put, looks at how electricity and magnets can work together, and is the process of using a moving or changing magnetic field to create electricity in a wire.

When you move a magnet inside a coil of wire (or move the wire past the magnet), the invisible magnetic force pushes on the electrons in the wire.

This pushing force (called voltage) makes an electric current flow through the wire.

You get more electricity if you move the magnet faster, use a stronger magnet, or wrap the wire into more loops.

Electromagnets can be found in power stations, wireless chargers, electric motors and even electric guitars.

Why not make use of the last few days of the summer holidays and carry out some of these electromagnetic activities. You can use a screw to pick up paper clips, make a paper speaker or maybe you'd like to use your own body and make human-powered energy.

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/blog/teach-electromagnetism-lessons

Teach K-12 students about electromagnetism with free hands-on STEM lessons and activities!