Building on the success of previous hugely popular events, the Family Science Day will be taking place Saturday the 14th March from 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm. This year the event is being held at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester, DT1 1HF. This free (but ticketed) activity is sure to bring out the Marie Curie or the Albert Einstein in you!
Aimed at children aged 4 plus, but with something for people of all ages to enjoy, the Family Science Day will include 20 different stalls from a range of scientific disciplines to allow you to get involved in some fantastic hands-on learning and experiments.
Find out how physics plays a part in everyday life, discover the invisible world of microbes, explore the biodiversity of the natural world, test your knowledge of water systems, learn about how fast fashion affects our planet and how we can make sustainable choices, delve into the fascinating world of forensic fingerprinting, and learn how to harness radiation.
“Prof Genoveva Esteban at Bournemouth University says: we are delighted to be co-organising and involved again in the 2026 Family Science Day. It is fun to share our research with children and their families, and our students cherish the two-way interaction with people of all ages. It’s a win-win situation.”
Family Science Day has again spread its wings to work with some local amazing partners to offer a jam-packed activities programme as part of the award-winning Dorchester Science Festival, which will take place over 10 days from the 6th-15th March. Others hosting brilliant events include the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, Dorchester Arts, Dorchester Library and Learning Centre, Dorset County Hospital, the Weymouth Astronomy Club, and Sculpture by the Lakes. The offer this year includes activities suitable for people aged 0-infinity!
Entrance to the Family Science Day and some of the Dorchester Science Festival activities are by ticket only – details and links for all events can be found on the Discover Dorchester website Dorchester Science Festival 2026 – Discover Dorchester and on the Dorchester Science Festival Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DorchesterScienceFestival You can also grab a programme from several locations around town including the Dorchester Library and Learning Centre, Waterstones, Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, and the Town Council offices.
The Dorchester Science Festival is being coordinated by Dorchester Town Council, Bournemouth University, and the Institute of Physics with the help of local scientists. Following our 2025 festival, the event was recognised as a winner by the SW England STEM Learning for excellence in volunteering.
A new addition to this year’s programme is our lecture series where we are hosting 4 exciting free talks including ‘Exploring the Cosmos: From Space Travel to Astrophotography’, ‘Underwater Sound: Sealife to Submarines with TKMS Atlas UK’, ‘Sounds of the Sky: Bats to Bugs’ and ‘Explosive Food’ with the Royal Institution.
We will also be revisiting our ‘Sensory Safe Science Day’ set up following feedback at previous Family Science Days that some children found the large event somewhat overwhelming. This drop-in event is being held at Borough Gardens House on Saturday 7th March from 10.30am-12.30am and 1.30pm-2.30pm and will offer interactive science activities, especially aimed at children who are neurodivergent or who might prefer a quieter environment.
The Dorchester Science Festival is programmed as part of the national British Science Week which is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths and it has been funded by the Institute of Physics, Bournemouth University, the Royal Society of Biology, Dorchester Town Council, Atlas TKMS UK and the Wessex Multi Academy Trust.
Judith Wardlaw, one of the co-organisers, says: “It is very exciting to see so many organisations coming together and offering a wide range of activities and events for the 2026 Dorchester Science Festival. The last few years have highlighted the value of work in STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). We aim to inspire, educate and entertain people of all ages, including many who might not usually be inclined to engage in science-based activities.”
Phil Cooper, Chair of the Southwest branch of the Institute of Physics said “We’re very proud to support this event and the way it brings the joys of science to people of all ages and backgrounds. We’re also really pleased to be sponsoring the lecture programme this year to bring science to an even wider audience.
Tamsyn Tankard-Evans, local scientist and member of the Institute of Physics, adds “The Dorchester Science Festival showcases the brilliant variety of sciences right on our doorstep. With such a diverse range of activities, from lectures to experiments and solar system walks, it’s a great way to inspire minds, young and old alike!”
For more information, please contact Emma Scott at e.scott@dorchester-tc.gov.uk or call her, at the Town Council, on 01305 819463.
Below is a selection of photos from past festivals. Click to enlarge.
Story and photos supplied by Dorchester Town Council
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- Royal Institution. Photo credit: Royal Institution
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- Mini Professors Photo (activity at Waterstones) – photo credit: Mini Professors
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- Dragonflies to Diatoms. Photo credit: Sculpture by the Lakes
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- Cook or Kill lecture. Photo credit: Rodolfo Parulan
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- Become a Curator. Photo credit: Dorset Museum & Art Gallery
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- Atlas TKMS lecture. Photo credit: Atlas TKMS
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- Weymouth Astronomy Club. Photo credit: Weymouth Astronomy Club
