Bookable workshops and activities

All of our bookable workshops and activities at STEAM Northants is offered on a first-come-first-served basis; you may wish to book one of the activities listed below for your students to visit.

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

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, 2pm
• 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: 11am, 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: 11am or 1pm
• 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

HMGCC presents Morse (De)code

HMGCC (His Majesty’s Government Communications Centre) has historically utilised Morse code as part of its secure, wartime agent communication technologies, used to aid secret, wartime agent communications, with remnants and replicas of these devices occasionally featured in their workshops, such as the MK XVII receiver and MK III transmitter. Explore Morse Code in this fun and interactive workshop.

• Times: 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
• Duration: 45 mins
• Capacity: 30 students
• Location: Learning Hub LH115
• Age group: All ages

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, 1pm, 2pm
• 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 Huv CH122
• Age group: all ages

LemonPop: create your own zine

Get creative with LemonPop. Tell your story and create your own Zine. Think about how STEAM is a part of your daily life… how does the TV work or WIFI on your gadget? How does the engine of a car work or how your body functions. Use your imagination to list and then draw them into the frames. Think of different perspectives, angles and Point of view. An interactive hands-on workshop, exploring all areas of STEAM, using Marvin’s unique creative approach.

• Times: 9.30am, 10am, 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, 12pm, 1pm, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, drop in 3pm – 4pm
• Duration: 30 mins
• Capacity: 20 students
• Location: Experiences Zone
• Age Group: All ages

Photography: Hold That Pose – Becoming a Portrait Photographer

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, 10.30am, 11.15am, 12pm, 12.45pm, 1.30pm, 2.15pm, 3pm
• Duration: 30mins
• Capacity: 15 students plus staff
• Location: Creative Hub CH321 Studio
• 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+

Video Games Design

Have a go at designing an enemy character for one of gaming’s legendary heroes. A creative arts workshop (not using computers) with current university Games Art students. Explore how characters are portrayed on a screen and the traits of an enemy character in the gaming world.

• Times: 10am, 10.45am, 11.30am, 12.15pm, 1pm, 1.45pm, 2.30pm, 3.15pm
• Duration: 30mins
• Capacity: 20 students
• Location: Creative Hub CH120
• Age group: all ages