Science Oxford

04/09/2026

Autumn adventures with Science Oxford - seeds, space and spookily good science!

It's back to school for many this week, but the excitement doesn't stop there with our new season of family events! From exploring seasonal seeds at Nature Club to searching for life elsewhere in the planetarium dome, or hands-on curiosity-led discovery in the Exploration Zone – there's something for everyone. Try touching and tasting clouds at Dr Sarah Bearchell's The Cloud Factory with IF Oxford science and ideas Festival! Join in with spookily good science and a woodland pumpkin trail on Saturdays in October half-term.

Family Days run every Saturday. 5 September features a Planetarium Show and 3 October is a Sensory-friendly Day with Planetarium show - reduced capacity.
12 September: Nature Club - Tree Seeds for ages 5-9

Find out more and book ahead: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0y2F8W0

03/09/2026

This autumn, come along to a Family Day+ 'Life Elsewhere' Planetarium show in our inflatable science dome! Monthly pop-up with strictly limited places available – pre-booking essential.

🌟 Saturday 5 September Family Day
🌟 Saturday 3 October Sensory-Friendly Family Day
🌟 Saturdays 7 November
🌟 Saturday 5 December

Journey from the icy moons of our own Solar System to distant worlds orbiting other stars. Explore the thousands of exoplanets already discovered in our galaxy, and consider what it would mean if we found life beyond Earth. Along the way, we’ll travel across the Milky Way, zoom out to the vastness of the cosmos, and reflect on our own fragile world. An inspiring exploration of science, scale and one of humanity’s biggest questions: could there be life elsewhere?

Admission to the planetarium show requires both a Family Day Ticket and a £3 Planetarium Ticket for each person. Each 30-minute session includes the show, a brief Q&A, and time to enter and exit the planetarium. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Not suitable for under 3s.

Family Days include Exploration Zone, woodland, outdoor Water Lab
Visitor Cafe open
10am - 5pm - Exploration Zone 10am, 12.30pm, 3pm / Planetarium Sessions vary
Under 3s free
Science Oxford Centre, Quarry road, Headington OX3 8SB
Book ahead: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0y2yDW0

27/08/2026

Visit the Science Oxford Centre this Saturday for a fabulous family bank holiday adventure!

Thanks for the shout out Red Kite Days Oxfordshire!

27/08/2026

Have you ever touched a cloud, or even one that tastes like strawberry? We're excited to be teaming up with IF Oxford to bring you a special Family Day+ on Saturday 17 October! Touch and taste clouds at The Cloud Factory, Dr Sarah Bearchell’s multi-sensory show for IF Oxford the Science and Ideas Festival. Explore the Exploration Zone and woodland, with Splash science at the Water Lab.

IF Oxford returns this October with an exciting choice of pioneering performances, hands-on experiments, interactive events and much more across the city.

Saturday 17 October - Family Day + The Cloud Factory Show with Dr Sarah Bearchell
Science Oxford Centre, Quarry Road, Oxford OX3 8SB
Book ahead (See Exploration Zone session times + Show times)
Includes entry to the outdoor areas, woodland and Water Lab 10am - 5pm
Under 3s free.
Find out more and book: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xTwFK0

IF Oxford runs 17 - 31 October - get involved!

20/08/2026

Spend a summer Saturday at the Science Oxford Centre

Hands-on discovery for all the family in the Exploration Zone, with splash science play at the outdoor Water Lab and wild trails & Explorer Backpacks in the woodland.

Our visitor café serves kids' meal deals, light lunches and treats, or bring your own refreshments. Cool down with an iced-coffee, milkshake or an ice-cream and enjoy a picnic by the ponds on a sunny day.

Family Days every Saturday - book ahead (link in comments)
Exploration Zone 10am-12pm, 12.30pm - 2.30pm, or 3pm-5pm
Includes entry to the woodland and outdoor areas all day 10am - 5pm
Under 3s and carers free
Science Oxford Centre, Quarry Road, Headington OX3 8SB

18/08/2026

Join our Outdoor Learning Specialist Dan Moden for a seasonal seeds inspired Nature Club on Saturday 12 September, for ages 5-9!

After a heatwave summer, take a woodland walk and learn how plants prepare for winter by dropping seeds, pods and nuts. Collect and compare all shapes and sizes – are they shiny, smooth or prickly? Experiment to see how far ‘helicopter seeds’ can fly, and create a colourful autumnal nature art!

Nature Club at the Science Oxford Centre
12 September 10am, 12.30pm, 3pm
Includes access to woodland, Water Lab and picnic areas all day
Visitor café 10am-4pm
For ages 5-9 & adult/s
Book ahead https://scienceoxford.com/whats-on/tree-seeds/

17/08/2026

What might get 15 STEM-enthusiastic teens up early (for holidays)?

During last week's Science Oxford's STEM Insight Days, 15 upcoming Year 10 and 11 students explored their futures and dug deeper into STEM careers.

With trips to iconic Oxfordshire-based STEM facilities, like Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and UK Atomic Energy Authority, students saw behind the scenes into incredible science, engineering and technology right on their doorstep.

"Seeing how massive ISIS [Neutron and Muon Source] is was really cool! I didn't think science equipment could fill a whole warehouse until I came here."

They also got first-hand insight into interesting and varied career journeys and roles across a wide range of industries through amazing networking opportunities with STEM professionals.

"At the STEM Careers Carousel, I found out valuable information on real-life organisations as well as advice on my present situation with a range of professionals."

Thanks to Lumai; DJS Antibodies; Department of Pharmacology, Oxford University; Lat51 Space Systems; Vorticity; Oxford Instruments; Taylor & Francis.

It’s always good to hear from parents too: "[My son] clearly had a wonderful two days at your Insight Days. He was full of details from the Rutherford and Culham visits, an opportunity he won't forget quickly. He was very enthusiastic about it all, so thank you for the time and effort you put into organising the event."

🚀 When is our next one? STEM Insight Days will take place over October half-term from Monday 26th to Wednesday 28th October.

Do you know any teens who would be interested to find out how STEM careers are helping to solve global challenges around Global Health, Digital, Climate and Engineering? Encourage them to apply. Applications close on 4th October (link in comments).

14/08/2026

14/08/2026

If this week's partial solar eclipse has your young adventurers curious about space and the planets, why not keep their curiosity going this summer?

Science Oxford's Summer of Space Holiday Club is packed with hands-on space-themed projects, from rockets to planetariums to space rap! Plus lots of outdoor exploration from pond dipping to woodland walks for children aged 7 – 11 🚀 Book now!

13/08/2026

Hundreds of families gathered for a solar eclipse of the heart with Science Oxford. In a special evening to remember, people of all ages came together on Wednesday to enjoy the experience of one of the most significant solar eclipses visible from the UK in nearly three decades. "There is real excitement. It’s delightful!"

The Science Oxford team was on hand at our 'Eclipse in the Park' free community celebration at Margaret Road Recreation Ground, Headington, sharing 400 pairs of eclipse glasses alongside activities and demonstrations, from pin-hole cameras to colanders, to help families enjoy the spectacle and discover the science behind it. "It looks kinda cool!" commented one young astronomer.

Quarry and Risinghurst Councillor and Lord Mayor of Oxford, Chewe Munkonge joined in the fun and said, “It was fantastic to join our communities to experience this once or twice in a lifetime opportunity, and see families and children so excited. And, along with Science Oxford’s expert help, curious to learn more about science and space in the future.”

Find out what happened and read the full story here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xDdVR0