STEAM Northants

There are pre-bookable opportunities taking place during STEAM Northants, to compliment the many, many free activities.

Schools are recommended to book ONE show from section A and ONE workshop/activity from section B.  These are all offered on a first-come-first-served basis. The booking link will be sent to all schools registered for the event and will go live later in the Spring.

A. Bookable shows and speakers (headline acts):

Schools can book ONE of the following shows from section A.

Atomic Science with Atomic Tom

Inspiring all primary aged scientists with live and exciting experiments! The focus of this fun and engaging show is to think about the air that’s all around us and the amazing science we can learn from it. Making it move in cool ways with vortices, thinking about the composition of air by releasing oxygen from elephant’s toothpaste to learning about the science of flight and even making a person fly!

Find out more about Atomic Science and Atomic Tom’s experiments 

• Show times: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1.15pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 150
• Location: Engine Shed
• Age group: Year 6

Birdman – Bringing Science Alive

Guest Presenter: Alan Ames

Meet Sparky, the Barn Owl, Alaska, the Bald Eagle and Sybil, the Harris Hawk.

Watch these beautiful birds in flight and through their eyes learn about the natural world and how it functions. Life cycles, food chains and population dynamics.

Find out more about Birdman Displays

NB: Please be aware that the birds will be flying freely during the session, please keep food securely inside bags.

• Show times: 10.10am, 11.10am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 100
• Location: Learning Hub LH017
• Age group: All ages

Highly Sprung: CastAway live aerial performance

A stunning aerial theatre outdoor performance. The audience is immersed in an underwater world where performers dive, twist and float in the air in a show exploring the impact of today’s throwaway society on our waterways.

This is an outdoor show and will run in all weather.

Find out more about Highly Sprung.

• Show times: 10.00am, 12.00pm and 2.00pm
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Capacity: 200+ (standing outdoors)
• Location: Experiences Zone
• Age group: All ages

Experience a Planetarium Dome Cinema

 Discover the joy of 3D cinema through a 30 min science show in these fantastic planetariums.  There are different themes to book this year, with one dome as a ‘drop in’.

Find out more about Immersive Experiences

• Duration: 30mins
• Location: Experiences Zone
• Age group: All ages

1.   Planetarium A (pre-booked shows only) 90 capacity max

‘Flight Adventure’

Suitable for all ages

Discover the science of flight through the eyes of a young girl and her grandfather as they explore how birds, kites, planes and models fly. Learn about the history and future plans of flight and how NASA is discovering new and safer ways to travel with the help of future engineers and aviators – like YOU!

• 9.30am, 10.15am, 11am, 11.45am, 12.30pm, 1.15pm, 2pm

2.   Planetarium B (pre-booked shows only) 90 capacity max

‘Fractals’

Suitable for Key Stages 3-5

Fractals are never-ending patterns representing algebraic equations. When animated and projected in 360˚ they take audiences on dazzling journeys in and out of infinity. All ages will love the dramatic immersive experience of zooming into patterns smaller than atoms or bigger than the Universe!

• 9.45am, 10.30am, 11.15am, 12pm, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pm

3.   Planetarium C (drop in – be prepared to wait) 45 capacity max

‘Dinosaurs at Dusk’

Suitable for all ages

Travel back in time through the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous geological periods in search of the ancestors of modern-day birds, the feathered dinosaurs.

Join a father and his teenage daughter Lucy, who share a fascination for all things that fly, as they travel back in time navigating from continent to continent, exploring an Earth teeming with dinosaurs in search for clues on the origins of flight. Educational content includes continental drift, proper motion of stars, asteroids and impacts, mass extinctions and the convergent development of flight amongst species.

• Times: This planetarium will be a ‘drop-in’ on the day, between 9.30am to 3pm

Medical Mavericks: The Human Guinea Pig Show

This amazing show takes students on a journey to discover the unsung heroes of the NHS that perform 85% of all the diagnostic tests in a hospital.

Highlights include Tom scanning the heart and blood vessels in his neck with ultrasound, and taking a photo of the inside of his eye!

Find out more about Medical Mavericks

• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 130
• Location: Learning Hub LH013

Show times:

• 10am – 10.40am – Y6/Y7
• 10.50am – 11.30am – Y6/Y7
• 11.40am – 12.20pm – Y8 to Y13
• 1pm – 1.40pm – Y8 to Y13
• 1.50pm – 2.30pm – Y6 – Y9

Science Made Simple

Science Made Simple are passionate about science and bring us two different inspiring shows to STEAM Northants. Find our more about Science Made Simple.

Science of Sport

How do we balance, and what makes us fall over? What is happening when a ball bounces? What part does friction play in sport, and how can we protect ourselves from injury? Are you brave enough to sit on a chair of nails? Can you spot why things that spin are so important in sport? Limber up and get involved!

• Times: 10.30am and 12pm
• Duration: 1 hour
• Capacity: 100
• Location: TPod AB (2nd floor Learning Hub)
• Age group: Year 6, Year 7 & Year 8

The X-Tra Factor

Join us on a journey to meet 6 amazing women in STEAM who are mostly unheard of despite their achievements. Engineers, inventors, volcanologists and more!

Discover what ground-breaking work they did and meet the modern-day equivalents they inspired along the way.

• Time: 1.30pm
• Duration: 1 hour
• Capacity: 100
• Location: TPod AB (2nd floor Learning Hub)
• Age group: Year 9 to Year 13

B. Bookable workshops and activities for schools:

Schools may book one of these activities in addition to one show/speaker in section A.

Acting for Contemporary & Devised Performance (UON)

Explore the themes and processes involved in the Acting for Contemporary & Devised Performance degree programme at UON.

• Times: 11am, 12pm, 1.15pm
• Duration: 45mins
• Capacity: 15 plus staff
• Location: Creative Hub CH118
• Age group: Year 9 to Year 13

Dental Health and working in the NHS (UON)

Students will have a chance to have a go at some of the science behind being a dentist in this fun and interactive workshop! They will mix alginate impression material and load a tray. Students will be able to explore toothbrushing techniques using the models and look at oral health aids. They will learn more about careers in the NHS, particularly around dental health.

• Times: 11.00am or 1.00pm
• Duration: 1 hour
• Capacity: 30
• Location: Learning Hub LH347
• Age group: Year 6

Environmental Law and Justice – How law shapes everything, everywhere, all at once (UON)

This 45-minute, highly interactive session will start with an outline of how the law influences science and technology and balances the risks and benefits.

We look at how pollution from day-to-day activities links to air quality, rising sea levels and increased extreme weather. We look at ‘environmental injustices’ (allowing the participants to say what they think it is), with global examples (floods in Pakistan, fires in Australia, increasing sea levels, etc) and more local (air quality in Northampton breaking WHO limits). Participants decide which parts of Northampton will have the worst air pollution, and why. The session will close with a discussion of what opportunities exist at University level to take these ideas further, and also flag up the types of employment which are likely to be around in five to ten years.

• Times: 11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 30
• Age group: Year 9 to Year 13

Fuze Coding and Games Workshop

FUZE specializes in making real coding accessible and engaging for people of all ages and ability levels.  Fuze focus on the fundamental concepts of coding, strengthening and broadening any understanding the students have acquired in their computing lessons.

Using the application ‘FUZE4 Nintendo Switch’ – a program they designed to make coding accessible for beginners, they utilise Video Game mechanics to contextualise computer science learning in an engaging and exciting way. This is not to be confused as playing games. Students are shown real world video game examples of the techniques they learn in action, maximising enthusiasm and receptiveness to more complex concepts.

• Times: 9.45am, 10.45am, 11.45am, 1pm, 2pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 30
• Location: Learning Hub LH125
• Age group: All

Gaming, virtual reality and simulation

Visit our Gaming Studios and experience virtual reality (VR) with student created content and have a go in one of our esports racing rigs!

• Times: 9.45am, 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am, 11.45am, 12.15pm, 12.45pm, 1.15pm, 1.45pm, 2.15pm
• Duration: 30 mins
• Capacity: 20
• Location: Creative Hub 1st floor
• Age group: all ages

Environmental Geography workshop (UON)

In common with the rest of Central and Southern England, the Nene Valley has witnessed major shifts in climate over the Quaternary Period (~2.6 million years ago to the present day) from conditions as warm or warmer than today to full glaciation on at least one occasion.  This interactive workshop will introduce students to some of the evidence used to reconstruct and to date these climate changes and will offer give opportunities for hands-on examination of some of the Quaternary fossils owned by the University of Northampton and the Northampton Wildlife Trust.

• Times: 12.45pm and 1.45pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 30
• Location: Learning Hub LH115
• Age group: Year 11, Year 12 & Year 13

Gothic Monsters with English (UON)

The Monsters We Love and Fear

What is a monster? Do you have a favourite one in a book or a film? Why do monsters scare us and why do we seem to enjoy being just a little bit scared? If you’re interested in these questions – or just love monsters! – come and explore some famous monsters from books with us and find out what they really tell us about ourselves and our world.

Age group: Year 6, Year 7, Year 8 & Year 9

• Time: 12pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 30 students
• Location: Learning Hub LH128

Gothic Monsters and the Literature of Terror

What is a monster? Wy do we keep inventing new monsters? What do monsters tell us about what we fear and also what we desire? How do monsters make us confront the things we would rather stay hidden? If you’re intrigued by these questions, come and explore some of the great monsters of Gothic literature with us, from laboratory creations to uncanny doubles and vampires, and find out what monsters really tell us about ourselves and our world.

Age group: Year 10, Year 11 & Year 12

• Times: 1pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 30 students
• Location: Learning Hub LH128

Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Stage & Screen (UON)

During your visit to our practical spaces, you will be able to view the high-end facilities and custom studios. You will see some of the processes and practices of a working makeup artist and be able to have a go at being a prosthetic artist! Pop up stations will be set up to enable you to view equipment, professional tools and practical outcomes from hair, make-up, and special effects disciplines.

Staff will be on hand to answer and questions about becoming a Hair, Makeup and Prosthetic Artist and opportunities within the creative industry.

• Times: 10am,10.20am, 10.40am, 11am, 11.20am, 11.40am, 12pm, 12.20pm, 12.40pm, 1pm, 1.20pm, 1.40pm, 2.00pm, 2.20pm
• Duration: 15 mins
• Capacity: 20 plus staff
• Location: Creative Hub CH305 studio
• Age group: All ages

Photography: Hold That Pose – Becoming a Portrait Photographer (UON)

Fashion and celebrities are nothing without the photographs that promote them. Students will experience what is like to be a professional photographer by using cameras and lighting that are used for magazines and advertisements. The lights in the studio will be set up for students to create portraits of each other using a top-of-the-line digital camera. Staff will work with students to adjust the lights to achieve the desired effect.

• Times: 9.45am, 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am, 11.45am, 12.15pm, 12.45pm, 1.15pm, 1.45pm, 2.15pm
• Duration: 30mins
• Capacity: 15 students plus staff
• Location: Creative Hub CH321 Studio
• Age group: All ages

Sport Rehabilitation and Conditioning (UON)

Visit the UON sports rehab clinic and gain an insight into technologies used to help test athletes following injury and treatment strategies with the Sport Injury Assessment and Treatment team.

• Times: 9.30am (room open to explore but no workshop), 10am, 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, 12.30pm, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm – 3pm (room open to explore but no bookings)
• Duration: 30 mins
• Capacity: 15 students plus staff
• Location: Creative Hub CH210.2
• Age group: All ages

Sustainability in Fashion – t-shirt printing workshop (UON)

From a source of supplied imagery visitors will be able to print their own t-shirt, using the sublimation process to come up with their own designs focusing on pattern and colour.

• Times: 11.15am and 1pm
• Duration: 60 mins
• Capacity: 12 students plus 1 staff member
• Location: Creative Hub CH203
• Age group: Year 9 to Year 13

Trapp’d: Escape Room

Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure with Trapp’d Mobile Escape Room “Amazonia”  Blending entertainment and learning. Through this interactive experience, students  learn about the significance of the rainforest to our planet, instilling a sense of environmental consciousness and responsibility in the minds of our future leaders.

Small groups of students will have the opportunity of seeing first hand an alternative career the passion of games design or engineering could lead with this innovative mobile escape room.

• Times: 12pm, 12.40pm, 1.20pm & 2pm
• Duration: 30mins
• Capacity:  8 students plus staff
• Age group: Year 12 & Year 13

Note: ‘drop in’ times for all age groups are 9.30am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3pm.

In addition to the exhibition, there are a range of spaces to explore and drop-in activities taking place at the University of Northampton. No booking required, suitable for all ages!

Learning Hub

CPR and Defibrillator Training with Heartwize

Location: Learning Hub LH121

Learn how to deal with a cardiac arrest. Train to use CPR and a defibrillator; both life skills that can be appealing to employers.

By providing young people with support and training in basic resuscitation skills, Heartwize hopes to ensure that everyone knows how to recognise ad respond to a cardiac arrest and increase the chance of survival.

Find out more about Heartwize

Paramedic Science Ambulance Suite with UON

Location: Learning Hub LH328

Drop into this immersive area to practice knowledge and discuss skills. An opportunity to see and use some of the equipment that assists in preparing Paramedic students for placement and patient care. See our mock-up of an ambulance and experience the space and equipment used by paramedics.

Popular Music with UON

Location: Learning Hub LH124

Try out a variety of high calibre music and music technology instruments. Experience how to make beats, sounds, timbres and sequences with our state-of-the-art music technology hardware instruments. This is a hands-on / ears-on activity. Please bring your own headphones if you like.

Wildlife Displays

Location: Learning Hub exhibition

Interactive, educational animal encounter with lots of hands-on opportunities with a variety of exotic animals, including snakes, lizards, meerkats, spiers and pygmy hedgehogs.

Find out more about Wildlife Displays

Psychology with UON

Location: Learning Hub LH122

Staff and students will be sharing many fun activities with pupils who are curious about how our mind works. There will be activities that test your hand-eye coordination to its limit.  We will also demonstrate how noises in our everyday life might get in the way of our conversations or learning.   From the activities, we want to find out who has got the best method to stay focused.

Do you think you are good enough to get to the top of the leader board?

Amazing Interactive ISportsWall

Interactive sports wall ISportsWall is an innovative new development that converts a wall into an interactive & exciting learning space for visitors to use. Test your maths and spatial skills using the balls to hit the answers on this fun activity.

Find out more about Amazing Interactive.

Circus 250: Science Stilt Walkers!

Do you look up to scientists? Well now you really can! Science on Stilts is a walkabout performance where real-life scientists – who are also accomplished stilt walkers – do simple science experiments with you! They’ll stop on their stilts to have scientific chats with anyone who has high ambitions to learn more about science. Our scientists on stilts elevate how atoms are made or why bubbles reflect colours to a new height – and huge fun.

Human Resource Management (HRM) with UON

Location: Learning Hub LH120

Human Resource Management (HRM) is attractive to those who wish to understand a business-related career with a focus on developing the skills of a HR practitioner.

Human resources integrates business issues with the management of people. This drop-in activity will give you the opportunity to participate in wellbeing related activities.

Creative Hub

Creative Film with UON

Location: Creative Hub CH119 TV studios

Explore our TV studios, use the green screen and experience being in the production gallery used for producing TV and film at the university.

Exploring Engineering with UON

Location: Creative Hub CH008

The Bending of Cantilever Beam

The aim of this drop-in activity is to show and compare different strain bridge connections and show the linearity of strain measurement; understand the behaviour of different materials under bending loading. The bending system is a solid, rectangular section beam which simulates many different mechanical and constructional things such as: aeroplane wings, bridges, swimming pool diving boards, etc.

Thermal Imaging Camera

Using a thermal imaging camera for non-contact measurement of surface temperatures from -20 °C to 2450 °C. They enable efficient monitoring and control of temperature-critical processes both with low and very high temperatures in the bending application.

3D Scanner

Create highly accurate 3D models of objects with various textures, sizes, and geometry.

Using a thermal imaging camera for non-contact measurement of surface temperatures from -20 °C to 2450 °C. They enable efficient monitoring and control of temperature-critical processes both with low and very high temperatures in the bending application.

Smart Materials

Smart materials practice and applications – polymorph thermoplastic, smart putty, memory spring and memory wire

Engineering – Mini-light keyring electronics project

Location: Creative Hub CH011

The aim of this drop-in activity is to design and create a fully working mini light that can be used as a keyring. You will learn about design principles, basic electronics, and simple manufacturing during the session, and will be able to take your completed mini-light keyring home once completed.

LemonPop graphic art

Location: Creative Hub exhibition

The Importance of Creative Arts Practice in STEAM

Imagination or ‘creative exploration’ plays an important role in STEAM, from planning to preparation to understanding processes, it is often overlooked as an art or skill however we would not be where we are in human development without it. Discover, Define, Develop and Express who you are through creative arts so you can live a fulfilling lifestyle focused on your wellbeing, happiness and success. Participants are lead through a creative visualisation process that is aimed at identifying skills and attributes so to make better decisions that will enable their progression or recognise and benefit their community. A process of solving problems and visualising ideas as a way to gain more awareness of self and recognising solutions.

Becoming a Designer : Fashion, Textiles, Footwear & Accessories Design with UON

Location: Creative Hub CH201

Be inspired by our students work in Fashion. The Fashion learning spaces are open for you to visit, seeing students’ work from original sketches to final pieces. UON Fashion, Textiles, Footwear & Accessory students will also be available for visitors to ask questions and understand more about studying and careers in the Fashion industry.

Gaming Studios and esports

Location: Creative Hub CH120 & CH122

Have a go at our student created gaming content in our Gaming Lab.  Students create the work from original concept, coding to digital design.  Meet current students and ask them about their experiences!

• Drop in: 10 mins per group, max 12 visitors at a time

Sports Journalism with UON

Location: Creative Hub

Work with students and staff from the Multimedia Sports Journalism specialism to understand more about careers in Sports Journalism. Visit the studio area, listen to students work and have a go with the equipment.

Working alongside the many sports clubs, bodies and media companies based in Northamptonshire, students studying a Sports Journalism degree will learn and apply audio and video production skills. They also learn how to write sports stories and understand laws and ethics which apply to sports reporting.

Experiences Zone (Sports Dome)

Immersive Experiences take over the Sports Dome!

Virtual Reality Headsets (Oculus Quest VR)

Step into space and float around the International Space Station. Find the answers to some of the common questions, such as where do astronauts sleep? How do they eat and how do they wash?

Augmented Reality Games (AR)

Work in pairs or small groups, and answer as many questions correctly as you can using AR technology! Exploring themes of innovation, art and creativity, our Augmented Reality curriculum games bring the topics to life with our 3D augmented visuals.

Experience ‘Dinosaurs at Dusk’ in planetarium C

This is a drop-in activity, be prepared to wait. While you are waiting, have a go at the other exciting activities in the Experiences Zone!

• Duration: 30mins
• Age group: All ages
• Capacity: 45
• Timings: 9.30am to 3pm

Note: there are two additional planetariums with bookable slots prior to the day

Trapp’d: Escape Room

Embark on an Unforgettable Adventure with Trapp’d Mobile Escape Room “Amazonia”, blending entertainment and learning. Through this interactive experience, students learn about the significance of the rainforest to our planet, instilling a sense of environmental consciousness and responsibility in the minds of our future leaders.

Small groups of students will have the opportunity of seeing first hand an alternative career the passion of games design or engineering could lead with this innovative mobile escape room.

• Drop in times: 9.30am – 11.30am and 2pm – 3pm.
• Duration: 30mins
• Capacity:  8 students plus staff
• Age group: All ages

Note: Pre bookable slots are available for Y12&Y13: 12pm, 12.40pm, 1.20pm & 2pm

We welcome the following organisations to STEAM Northants:

• Amazing Interactive
• AMSP Advanced Maths Support Programme
• Anglian Water
• Atomic Science
• Birdman
• Bloodhound LSR (Land Speed Record)
• British Army
• Careers Hub
• Chester House Estate
• Chilled Education
• Circus 250
• Country Parks
• Dr Martens
• EKFB
• FCDO Services
• Festo Ltd
• FUZE Technologies
• Generation Logistics (CILTUK)
• GXO
• Heartwise UK
• Highly Sprung
• Immersive Experiences
• Kier Transportation
• Krohne
• LemonPop
• Medical Mavericks
• Network Rail
• Northampton College
• Northants Police
• NSME (Northampton Society Of Model Engineers)
• Panther Group
• Performing Room
• Science Made Simple
• Smurfitt Kappa
• STEM Ambassadors (LEBC)
• Tata Steel
• Tennant UK
• Tesla
• Trapp’d
• University of Hertfordshire (Diagnostic Radiography)
• Wildlife Displays
• Winvic Construction Ltd
• XPO Logistics

University of Northampton exhibitors and open specialist spaces:

• Acting for Contemporary & Devised Performance
• Creative Film, Television and Digital Media Production
• Dental Nursing
• Engineering
• English
• esports
• Events, Tourism & Hospitality
• Fashion
• Game Development Team
• Geography & Environmental Science
• Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics for Stage & Screen (HMPSS)
• Interior Architecture & Spatial Design
• Human Resource Management (HRM)
• Law and Environmental Justice
• Logistics
• Paramedic Science
• Photography
• Podiatry
• Popular Music
• Product Design
• Psychology
• Public Health
• Sociology
• Sport and Exercise Science
• Sports Journalism
• Sport Rehabilitation and Conditioning

STEAM Northants is excited to offer a range of competitions to schools.

More details will be given to school leaders on the day! Grab an entry form and hand it to the Information Point. Competitions include:

• Win an Immersive Experiences dome for your school
• Win a STEM day with Festo

Take a look at our campus map (included in our email) to get a feeling for the event spaces being used for STEAM Northants. If you’d like to find out more about UON, please view our virtual tour.

See our Getting to Waterside page to find out how to get to the University of Northampton. Please note, there will be no coach parking on site and coaches will be moved on swiftly on drop off and pick up.

All schools (coaches and minibuses) and large exhibitor vehicles are asked to enter the campus via University Drive, off Bedford Road (A428), NN1 5PH.

All exhibitors in cars are asked to enter the campus via New South Bridge Road, off London Road (A508), NN4 8RP and park in car park 4.

If you require car parking or minibus parking, please contact the STEAM Northants team to arrange this in advance.

There are plenty of open outdoor spaces to eat your packed lunch at STEAM Northants. This year we will have more gazebos and covered areas to protect you from the weather.

We have plenty of options for all budgets if you wish to purchase drinks and snacks on site, all open from 8am:

• Engine Shed café: offering Paninis, jacket potatoes, burgers and fries, as well as hot drinks from the café. Also offering £3.49 meal deal (sandwich, snack and drink
• The Ground (first floor, Learning Hub): In the heart of The Learning Hub, this coffee shop can provide you with a great cup of coffee. Take advantage of our amazing offers including sandwich meal deals and Pizza deals
• The Market Restaurant (ground floor, Learning Hub): The Market is the main restaurant on Waterside Campus with a great variety of options. Whether you fancy a bacon roll to go or keep it healthy with a freshly made salad, we have it all. Look out for our great offers including meals under £5, and a free piece of fruit with every food purchase.
• The Exchange (Senate Building, Ground Floor): The Exchange is a great place to warm yourself up with an excellent barista-style coffee. Look out for our great sandwich meal deals which includes crisps, a drink and a piece of fruit for £3.50.
• Sunley Hotel (between the Engine Shed and Learning Hub): barista-style hot drinks
• Campus shop: 8am to 6pm. Offering a range of snacks, drinks and sandwiches
• Also on site will be Pecorella Whip Ice Cream, based near the Learning Hub!

Other than the campus shop and ice cream van, please be aware that our catering outlets are cashless and only accept contactless payments.

• Don’t know what STEAM is? Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths! See our animation to share with your students!
• See how exciting our 2022 STEAM Northants was
• Hear from staff and children who attended STEAM 2022