For two weeks every February, a wide range of scientists, researchers, engineers, creatives and inventors get out of the lab and go into Notts schools, libraries and community venues to show their work...
Nottingham’s Festival of Science and Curiosity is a two week festival of events and programmes for children and families, sharing the wonders of science, technology, engineering, maths and much more. Now into it’s eleventh year, it takes place at dozens of venues across the city and county from 9-20 February 2026.
The Festival is organised by Ignite Futures, a small charity based in Hockley. It has been running since 2015. For two weeks every February, a wide range of scientists, researchers, engineers, creatives and inventors get out of the lab and go out and about into schools, libraries and community venues across Nottinghamshire where they spark moments of curiosity, wonder and inspiration amongst children, young people and their families.
The festival is about inviting the people of Nottinghamshire to share not only what they know, but also what they would like to know; it’s about celebrating curiosity, asking questions and taking a leading role in finding out the answers. This year tey’ve put together a selection of over 50 events across the fortnight at various venues across the city including local libraries, universities, museums and cultural venues.
We’ve picked out a selection of their events below, but scroll down to the bottom of this article or visit their website to see the whole lot.
Invisible Scanners
A talk for the International Day of Women and Girls in Science
4pm, Weds 11 February
Nottingham Trent University Clifton Campus
This talk, to coincide with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, explores the story of the often uncelebrated women that worked behind the scenes in the particle physics advancements of the 60s and 70s. Large numbers of relatively unskilled women were brought in to examine and analyse these photographs in search of patterns which might reveal evidence of new particles or unusual decays. These women were largely “invisible” in that they were not named in research papers and received little reward, despite the fact that they were at the forefront of discovery.
Physics of the Everyday – Making Chocolate Tasty
7 - 8.30pm, Thursday 12 February
Greens Windmill and Science Centre
Join Professor Rob Morris to explore how physics is being used to make sure we only eat the tastiest chocolate. Why does chocolate taste so good, how can experiments help us understand the composition and tastiness of chocolate, and is there even such a thing as bad chocolate!?
The Physics of the Everyday series aims to introduce the fundamental physics behind everyday things we take for granted in an accessible, fun, and interactive way. Each short talk will be accompanied by a demonstration and investigation, as well as an opportunity for conversation and discussion.
Photo by Tom Morley
Family Craft Club & Wild Robot Screening
11am – 4pm, Saturday 14 February
Broadway Cinema
Join Broadway for their monthly drop-in family craft club session, led by Emma Gray. Pop in before watching a film, enjoy a cup of coffee (if you’re a parent) or something from the kids’ lunch menu (if you’re a kid) and take part in some fun, informal crafting.
This month, they're decorating plant pots and planting wild flowers around a screening of The Wild Robot (2024). The craft club is free to attend, but booking is encouraged so they have a sense of numbers. The screening is pay what you feel!
Fingerprinting Techniques
11am-4pm, Weds 18 February 2026
National Justice Museum
Explore and have a go at some of the different techniques forensic teams used to investigate a crime, in the grand setting of the National Justice Museum. This workshop is not ticketed, just drop in. It’s suitable for all ages.
You will be able to try lifting fingerprints and learn what patterns you can see, investigate footwear marks and create a footwear print and examine what fibres you can find on clothing.
As well as organising the festival, Ignite Futures have also put together a magazine with a full guide to the festival as well as lots of interactive activities for kids. You can read and download that below.
For more information about the Festival of Science and Curiosity, please visit their website.
Festival of Science and Curiosity website
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