Things to do at STEAM Northants

The exhibition areas are free to everyone and are open 9.30am – 4pm.

There are also many pre-bookable shows and activities taking place across the campus. Dates and details of how to book will be communicated to visitors in April.

Experiences Zone

New to STEAM Northants! Rise to new heights with the Molly Mae Hot Air Balloon experience.  Sit in the ballooning basket, learn about the materials involved in ballooning, have more of an insight into how a balloon works and feel the heat of the burner. This drop in activity will be interesting and a great addition to the day. Note: Balloon inflation is weather dependent. Situated on Electric Green.

Taking over the Sports Dome, Immersive Experiences bring three of their fantastic 3D immersive domes.

Experience one of these breathtaking shows:

• Astronaut (all ages)
• Oceans and Reefs (all ages)

Drop-in to the Experiences Zone and you can also have-a-go with virtual reality and augmented reality headsets!

In the Experiences Zone Marquee you will find the show SCIENCE BOFFINS.

Be amazed with live science experiments in this STEM show. Watch as your Science Boffin scientifically conjures up an ancient scientist from a bottle, much like Aladdin did. The smoke rises out of the bottle as his spirit joins us for the show. Are you naughty or nice? Let’s find out with an experiment testing your observation skills and more importantly your morals! As water disappears from a cup one willing victim risks getting wet as the audience decides their fate.

Outside the Sports Dome, visit LemonPop graphic art: Imagination and ‘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.

Have a go in our sports labs, try out our fitness testing equipment and understand more about careers in sports rehabilitation and conditioning. A great experience for those interested in sports, physiology, biology or working in healthcare careers. Bookable workshops available all day.

Book in for a session in Football Coaching or Rugby Skills with the UON sports team and Northampton Saints coaches.

Meet our STEAM rapper, Dreadlock Alien. He’ll be out and about the university rapping poetry and you can get involved!

Discovery Zone

Our outdoor exhibition is situated outside the Creative Hub and Waterside Place  through to the Experiences Zone up near the Sports Dome – and all spaces in-between!

It features:

• The Performing Room will be taking over the STEAM Marquee. There will be have-a-go music instruments, karaoke, gaming multimedia and sing and play music with different instruments.
• Explore being a police officer and see the inside of a police car with Northants Police
• Climb aboard a lorry cab and learn more about the transport industry with AIT Worldwide and Wincanton.
• Visit the Army and test your resilience!  Test your speed at the Batak sports wall.
• Get hands on with a range of vehicles from VW Volkswagen
• Drive your career forward with Stagecoach, visit the double decker bus on site and find out about the range of opportunities available in passenger transportation.
• Visit the TeePee and have fun with our Forest Schools team
• 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!
• Have a good in our HGV driving simulator with RHA.
• Visit the STEM Pitstop van, from Silverstone Museum and experience hands on STEAM activities, using real F1 motorsport technology and artefacts to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Learning Hub and Creative Hub

The inside exhibitions take over the ground floor, with specialist rooms and drop-in activities taking place on floors 1, 2 and 3 of both buildings.

Visit over 70 different companies and UON subjects exhibiting at STEAM Northants; meet Apprentices and trainee’s, find out more about volunteering, be curious about the skills needed, be inspired with a career and find out how to get that dream job!  The exhibition areas are hands on and interactive to spark your imagination and leave you buzzing with ideas for different jobs and careers.

Many different subject areas from the University of Northampton will be represented on the day, with hands on activities and specialist rooms open for you to visit. Find out about the range of subjects you could study in higher education.

See our A to Z of exhibitors.

There are pre-bookable opportunities taking place during STEAM Northants to compliment the many, many free activities.  You may wish to book one activity for your students to visit. These are all offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

It is not necessary to book any activities as there are a lot of specialist spaces to visit and drop-in activities taking place across the campus during the day.

The booking link will be sent to all schools registered for the event and will go live in April.

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: 10.45am, 11.45am, 12.45pm, 2.00pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 120
• Location: Engine Shed
• Age group: Year 6

Bird on the Hand

See the birds of prey and hear experts teach you all about Raptors!  Hear about the bird’s food chains, adaptations, conservation, history and much more. See beautiful Owls, hawks and Falcons up close. These sessions are appropriate for all ages, a fantastic opportunity to engage and learn about these beautiful birds.

Find out more about Bird on the Hand.

NB: Please be aware that the birds will be flying freely during the session

• Show times: 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.15pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 100
• Location: Learning Hub LH017
• Age group: All ages

Immersive Experiences: Planetarium Dome Cinema 3D adventure

Discover the joy of 3D cinema through a 30 min science show in these fantastic planetariums. There are different themes to book, with one dome as a ‘drop in’ on the day. Find out more about Immersive Experiences.

• Show times: Between 9.45am – 3.45pm
• Duration: 30mins
• Location: Experiences Zone
• Age group: All ages

Choose from the following shows:

Astronaut

The exploration of Space is the greatest endeavour that humankind has ever undertaken. What does it take to be part of this incredible journey? What does it take to become an astronaut?

Experience a rocket launch from inside the body of an astronaut. Explore the amazing worlds of inner and outer Space, from floating around the International Space Station to manoeuvring through microscopic regions of the human body.

Oceans and Reefs

Dive under the ocean, and explore the worlds or Corals and Creatures. Come face to face with life in our oceans and immersive yourself within this stunning show.

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: 45mins
• Capacity: 150
• Location: Learning Hub LH013
• Age group: All ages
• Show Times:
  • 10.30am – Y6/Y7
  • 11.30am – Y6/Y7
  • 12.30pm –Y8 to Y11
  • 1.30pm – Y8 to Y11
  • 2.30pm – All ages

Science Boffins

Watch as your Science Boffin scientifically conjures up an ancient scientist from a bottle, much like Aladdin did. The smoke rises out of the bottle as his spirit joins us for the show.
Are you naughty or nice? Let’s find out with an experiment testing your observation skills and more importantly your morals! As water disappears from a cup one willing victim risks getting wet as the audience decides their fate.

Learn about a poorly elephant with a toothache, who needs lots and lots of toothpaste!
Test how big your lungs are with our windbags. Using Bernoulli’s air flow principles watch as a pupil fills a bag up with over 10 litres of air in one breath!

Find out more about Science Boffins.

• Time: 11am, 12:15pm, 1.30pm and 2.45pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 200
• Location: Experiences Zone
• Age Group: Year 7 to Year 9

A day in the life of a criminal

There’s been a theft at UON! Meet the University Criminal Justice team in our unique crime scene suite.  Ask questions, be curious and pick out the clues from the crime scene to see if you can solve the crime.  This is a hands-on fun workshop exploring crime and justice in our specialist facilities.

• Times: 10.30am, 11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.15pm, 2.00pm
• Duration: 30 mins
• Capacity: 12 student plus staff
• Location: Learning Hub LH327
• Age group: All ages

African drumming and percussion – African Youth Arise

Immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms of Africa with this engaging and interactive African Drumming Workshop. Led by an experienced percussionist, this workshop offers participants of all skill levels the opportunity to explore traditional African drumming techniques, rhythms, and cultural significance.

Using authentic drums such as the djembe, dunun, and talking drum, you’ll learn basic hand patterns, call-and-response techniques, and group drumming dynamic. The session fosters creativity, teamwork, and a deep connection to the powerful energy of African music. Find out more about African Youth Arise.

• Times: 10.30am, 11.15am, 12.00pm, 1.00pm and 1.45pm
• Duration: 30 mins
• Capacity: 25 students
• Location: Creative Hub CH118
• Age Group: Year 6 to Year 9

Biomedical Science: Investigating the heart

Come and have a ‘heart to heart’ with this interactive workshop. Explore how amazing a heart is through practical exploration and discussion with university staff and students.  A very engaging workshop, especially for students with an interest in biology and physiology.

Warning: this is a practical workshop involving animal heart dissection.

• Times: 11.00am, 12.15pm and 1.30pm
• Duration: 45mins
• Capacity: 25 students
• Location: Creative Hub CH314
• Age group: Year 8, 9 and 10

Dental Health and working in the NHS

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 LH344
• Age group: Year 6

Fairground Engineers

Step into the world of engineering and bring amusement park magic to life with K’NEX! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore the principles of structural design, mechanics, and problem-solving as you construct your very own working Ferris wheel. Perfect for aspiring engineers and creative minds alike, this session will challenge you to think critically, collaborate, and discover how real-world engineering is applied in fun and fascinating ways.

Join us for an exciting experience where gears turn, imagination soars, and engineering comes to life—one K’NEX piece at a time!

• Times: 10.15am, 11.15am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 20 students
• Location: Learning Hub LH127
• Age group: Year 6 to Year 9

Football Coaching and Small-Sided Games

Join our sport coaching students for an engaging football session designed to develop core skills through fun, game-based activities. The session will include small-sided games, technical challenges, and opportunities to experience how coaches plan and deliver sessions to support player development. It’s a great chance to get active while seeing how coaching students apply their learning in practice.

• Times: 10am, 10.30am, 12pm, 12.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm. 3pm – 4pm Drop in Q and A on sports coaching and sports courses
• Duration: 30 mins
• Capacity: 20 plus staff
• Location: MUGA courts, Experiences Zone
• Age group: All ages

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, 1.00pm, 2.00pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 30
• Location: Learning Hub LH125
• Age group: All ages

Gaming Studios

Student Games Exhibition

Interested in gaming? Meet our Gaming students and staff and have a go at our student-made computer games from University of Northampton alumni.

• Times: 9.45am, 10.15am, 10.45am, 11.15am, 11.45am, 12.45pm, 1.15pm, 1.45pm, 2.15pm, 2.45pm, 3.15pm
• Duration: 30 mins
• Capacity: 20 students
• Location: Creative Hub CH120
• Age group: all ages

Infection Detection – The Virus Hunt Workshop

Biology Workshop linked to GCSE Biology curriculum.
Students will simulate the spread of a bacteria/virus such as Salmonella or HIV through a population by “sharing” (but not drinking) the water in a plastic cup with several classmates. Although invisible, the water in a few of the cups has already been tainted with the “pathogen.” After all the students have shared their liquids, the contents of the cups are tested for the virus. Students then set about trying to determine which of their classmates were the ones originally infected with the virus. Students will then conduct an experiment to identify any potential therapeutics to cure the infection.

This workshop is led by the team of scientists from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

• Times: 11.15am, 12.15pm, 1.45pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 30 students
• Location: Learning Hub LH126
• Age group: All ages

Rugby Skills with Professional Coaches

Experience a rugby session delivered by professional coaches from Northampton Saints. This session will introduce key rugby skills and game concepts through fun and engaging activities. Participants will get a taste of how high level coaches develop players while enjoying a high-energy, supportive environment.

• Times: 11am, 11.30am, 1pm, 1.30pm. 3pm – 4pm Drop in Q and A on sports coaching and sports courses
• Duration: 30 mins
• Capacity: 20 plus staff
• Location: MUGA courts, Experiences Zone
• Age group: All ages

Sports Rehabilitation and Conditioning

Have a go in our sports labs, try out our fitness testing equipment and understand more about careers in sports rehabilitation and conditioning. A great experience for those interested in sports, physiology, biology or working in healthcare careers.

• Times: 10.45am, 11.45am, 12.45pm, 1.45pm, 2.45pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 20 plus staff
• Location: Sports Pavilion, Experiences Zone
• Age group: Year 9+

Drop in and have a go. No booking required!

Creative Hub

Bubbly Maths

Location: Creative Hub 1st floor

Get involved in building a giant 7m x 7m tetrahedron made of balloons! Building will take place 10am – 1pm, with smaller scale ‘have a go’ activities on offer all day.

Creative Film and Television

Location: Creative Hub 1st floor, CH119

Visit our television studio and have a go with the green screen and experience what it is like to be in the gallery of a real studio! Be inspired to be the next producers, floor managers, sound specialist and television presenters of the future.

eSports

Location: Creative Hub 1st floor

Have a go in one of our eSports racing rigs! If any of your students are interested in esports, Gaming and Games Art, have a go in our Gaming rigs and chat to staff and students about careers in the industry.

Exploring Engineering

Location: Creative Hub ground floor, CH008

Visit one of the university Engineering Labs. Use equipment and explore smart materials practice and applications – with polymorph thermoplastic, smart putty, memory spring and memory wire. Speak to staff and students about the many courses and jobs in engineering and have a go at using some of our equipment!

Fashion, Textiles, Footwear & Accessories Design with UON

Location: Creative Hub 2nd floor, CH201
Meet our Fashion students, see their work and be inspired by the fabrics they use, learn about the processes in Fashion design and speak to students about what is involved in being a Fashion, Footwear and Accessories designer.

Journalism

Location: Creative Hub CH111

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 in the UON TV and production studio.

Mirror Mirror Photobooth

Location: Creative Hub

Grab your besties, find some props and take a photo in our STEAM Northants photo booth!  Have a lasting memory of the day while having a little bit of fun.

Learning Hub

Music

Location: Learning Hub LH120

Visitors will be making music with vegetables in this unique drop in activity. Young people will have the chance to explore electronic music through the use of Playtronica devices – playing music on a range of conductive materials and natural objects.

Psychology and Neuroscience

Location: Learning Hub LH122

Learning all about your brain, how we think and have a go at some of our live experiments.

Wildlife Displays

Location: Learning Hub, LH124

A hands on animal encounter with a variety of exotic animals, including snakes, lizards, meerkats, spiders and pygmy hedgehogs.  Each group will have 20 mins to handle, view and ask questions about all of these animals – and more!

Find out more about Wildlife Displays

TeePee

Forest Schools

Location: Teepee (near the Engine Shed)

Visit our Forest Schools teepee and have a go at crafting and learning with the outdoors.

Experience Zone

Immersive Experiences

Location: Experiences Zone

Not pre-booked a planetarium? Try your luck with our drop in Astronaut themed Dome on the day. There will be a queuing system and time slots allocated first come first served.

While you’re there, have a go at augmented and virtual reality headsets!

Molly Mae Hot Air Balloon

Location: Experiences Zone (Electric Green)

Sit in the ballooning basket, learn about the materials involved in ballooning, have more of an insight into how a balloon works and feel the heat of the burner. This drop in activity will be interesting and a great addition to the day. Note: Balloon inflation is weather dependent.

Drop in slots will run every 20 mins starting at 10am, for groups of up to 20 at a time.  There will be a queuing system.