Merthyr Science Festival

01/06/2026

wouldn't happen without our amazing volunteers and exhibitors. So we would like to take this opportunity at the start of to say the biggest thank you.

Thank you so much for giving up your free time to share your skills and knowledge with families across Merthyr, providing support to the visitors and helping to make sure things run smoothly on the day. You'll be breaking stereotypes and raising aspirations in really fun and engaging ways.
😂

31/05/2026

Not only can you find out how to get into astronomy and have a look at some telescopes but you'll be able to build a puff powdered rocket. We can't wait for Mid-Wales Astronomy Society to be there and get some tips on how to take some amazing photos of the night sky.

Although Wales Dark Skies Week isn't till February, come along to chat to the astronomers and find out about planets and constellations and you'll have time to practice in readiness.

28/05/2026

We wonder how you can actually split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Well join Cardiff University School of Chemistry alongside Royal Society of Chemistry at Merthyr Leisure Centre on Saturday 11th July and you too can find out how. Did you know that you'll also be able to light some LEDs with the hydrogen 🤯🤯🤯 How amazing!!!!!

Thanks for bringing this exciting activity along. We look forward to seeing you all there and trying to light up the hall.

23/05/2026

7 weeks and counting!!!!! How exciting!

Tilbury Douglas are working on the redevelopment of the Prince Charles Hospital and we are very lucky that they'll be joining us, on Saturday 11th July. They'll be bringing with them a giant tetrahedron challenge which is a mix of maths, engineering and construction.

We wonder how big you can make the tetrahedron? 🤔

20/05/2026

We'd like to highlight another one of our funders. Thanks to the Royal Society of Chemistry .

The Royal Society of Chemistry carries out research, publishes journals, books and databases, as well as hosting conferences, seminars and workshops. It is the professional body for chemistry in the UK. They also support teachers by providing resources to inspire their students.

With the Outreach Fund, we can create a successful and enjoyable festival this year while using your feedback to shape an even bigger and better event for next year.

16/05/2026

Crikey it's only 8 weeks till the big day and we'd love to tell you about another one of our amazing exhibitors. Especially at it's

We have the wonderful Dr Hannah Jones and her team coming all the way from the University of Bristol to deliver some really fun hands-on activities relating to mental health, health science and epidemiology. We hear rumours of Hannah bringing a marble run, or some crafts and there may even possibly be a wheel of fortune game or fishing game.

Consider our interest piqued and we will definitely be coming over to find out about how diseases are spread (epidemiology) especially after hearing about the recent outbreaks of hantavirus and meningitis.

13/05/2026

Come along to Merthyr Leisure Centre on Saturday 11th July 10am - 3pm and have a go at some exciting military style activities. You can have a go at the challenges and also chat to some soliders.

We're so fortunate to have the British Army join us and we're excited to see you have a go at the activities they bring along. With all the fun you'll be having I'm sure we'll have some serious FOMO so we might have to join in!!!!!!

09/05/2026

9 weeks and counting!!!!!

We're very lucky to also have Merthyr Tydfil Libraries joining us at the festival. They'll be bringing along some science books for you all to have a look at (why not share with the team a new fact you find out at the festival) plus they'll also be delivering some Reading Sparks activities based on space. Do you have any favourite STEM based books? Do you prefer fact or fiction books?

Not only is the library joining us at the festival, we're also working with the library service on a little project. We are looking for schools in Merthyr to produce some STEM based artwork. Whether it's to draw your favourite scientist, maybe you'd like to create your own invention, or why not create a new planet. All artwork submitted will be displayed at local libraries across Merthyr Tydfil through the summer holidays. When children go to the library to complete the they can also have a look for their picture. If any teachers would like some more information then please message us or email us [email protected]

For those of you who work in STEM fields, we're sure you'll agree that STEM has to include some creative elements, and we hope this project we're delivering alongside Merthyr Library Services, demonstrates that.

We look forward to seeing you all at the festival.

06/05/2026

If you're like us and love fossils and rocks then come along to Merthyr Leisure Centre on Saturday 11th July 10am - 3pm where we'll have the Geologists' Association South Wales branch joining us.

We're very lucky that they'll be bringing along some table top games and specimens of fossils, rocks and minerals. We love having the Geologists Association join us, we get the chance to be a bit nosy and handle so many samples.

Why not come along and have a look. We look forward to seeing you there.

05/05/2026

In this post, the wonderful Hayley Pincott discusses her 10 years in Biomedical Science and the journey she has been on. I would encourage everyone to read it! (Even if she does fail to mention 3D printing!)

Moreover, we’re incredibly fortunate to have Hayley on the MSF team. Her enthusiasm for STEM and STEM education is truly exceptional. She is one of the most passionate people you could hope to meet in this field.

As part of this year's Biomedical Science Day celebrations, we're talking to members about the changes they've seen in biomedical science in the past decade.

Hayley Pincott looks back at a journey that has taken her from a specialist oral pathology lab to a role in STEM outreach. https://bit.ly/4wgS8h8