STEM goes Wild

03/02/2025

What a wild weekend of birthday fun across Rugby, Kenilworth, and Coventry! 🎂 From pirate battles to explosive science and luxury bath bomb making, we packed in creativity, chaos, and a whole lot of laughter.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Party:
Our fearless little pirates set sail on a treasure hunt, brewed magic potions to reveal hidden maps, and built their own cannons to fire at Blackbeard’s crew! A full-on pirate battle with Air Zookas ended in a slime trap for the sneaky pirate himself. Arrr! 💥

🧪 Science Party:
This one was a true mad scientist’s dream! Confetti cannons, crazy experiments, and of course - slime galore! We explored the magic of chemical reactions, with bubbling potions, fizzy surprises, and interactive fun that had everyone engaged. 🚀

🛁 Bath Bomb & Perfume Party:
This was all about science with style! Our young creators designed their own bath bombs and perfumes, choosing colours, scents, and fizzing ingredients to make perfect self-care treats. The whole room smelled amazing by the end of it! 🌸

Thank you to all the amazing kids and parents who made these parties so much fun! If you snapped any photos, feel free to share them in the comments - we’d love to see! 📸✨

Here’s a little behind-the-scenes look at one of the setups before the science chaos began… 😉

31/01/2025

🧟‍♂️ The Zombie Apocalypse is Here… and Our Young Scientists are Ready! 🎯🚀
If the undead ever take over Coventry, I think I know who I want on my survival team! 🏹💥

At Manor Park School, our STEM crew went full-on zombie defense mode, designing launching devices and creating epic target posters to practice their aim. From catapults to mini slingshots, the creativity (and zombie destruction) was next level.

🎯 Engineering skills? ✅
⚡ Quick thinking under pressure? ✅
💡 Unstoppable energy? Definitely.

This session was all about problem-solving, physics, and a whole lot of fun. Plus, who doesn’t love a little post-apocalyptic science? 😎

If YOU had to build the ultimate zombie survival invention, what would it be? Let me know in the comments! 👇👇👇

31/01/2025

🌋 The Coolest (Yet Still Deadly) Lava on Earth?

A few weeks ago, we talked about shield volcanoes and how people in Iceland got close enough to roast marshmallows over lava. But did you know there’s a volcano where the lava is so cool (relatively speaking) that some people have fallen in and survived? 😳

Ol Doinyo Lengai in Tanzania erupts a rare type of lava called natrocarbonatite, which flows at around 500–600°C—much cooler than typical lava. Instead of glowing red, it looks black or brown, and it flows more like wet cement! But make no mistake, it’s still extremely dangerous.

Nature is wild. 🌍🔥 Would you get close to a volcano if you had the chance?

Ol Doinyo Lengai, or “Mountain of God”, is a contender for the weirdest volcano in the world.

30/01/2025

🌍 STEM is Everywhere – Even Where You Least Expect It 🎨🔬

This week I had a few incredible conversations with Laura from the Resonate Festival (Warwick Institute of Engagement ) team and the brilliant creative minds at FarGo Village Coventry (Katlin from Six Sided Society and Jess from Twisted Barrel Brewery and Tap House) about something that’s been on my mind for a while…

Where’s the hands-on science for teens and adults?

There’s so much happening for younger kids - exciting, messy, interactive activities that make them fall in love with STEM. But as they get older, it all seems to shift towards lectures, speeches, and passive learning. Why?

Science isn’t just something you learn in a classroom - it’s part of history, art, music, activism, food, and even rebellion.

🗳 The suffragettes used secret chemistry and engineering in their fight for the vote.
🏛 Ancient civilizations built earthquake-proof structures long before modern physics explained how.
🎨 The golden ratio hides in paintings, music, and nature itself.
🕵️‍♀️ Even forensic science has roots in literature, from Sherlock Holmes to real-world investigations.
🍺 And let’s not forget brewing - beer is one of the oldest forms of applied chemistry, perfected over thousands of years!

STEM isn’t separate from culture - it shapes it. And we want to bring it back into unexpected places.

So, here’s to the next step: bridging the gap. Bringing hands-on, interactive science, technology, and engineering to 11+, to adults, to everyone who’s ever thought, “science isn’t for me.” Because it is. It always has been.

🔬💡 What’s something you’d love to see explored through science, history, or art? Let’s make it happen. Drop your ideas in the comments! 👇

29/01/2025

It's that time of the term when I’m deep in planning mode for the next half-term of STEM Club! And since March is one of my favourite months (Science Week + World Book Day… totally not because it’s my birthday month, wink wink), I thought – why not combine science and stories?

So, the theme for next term is Fantastic Science and Where to Find It, and here’s the book lineup I’ve picked:

📖 Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J.K. Rowling
📖 The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents – Terry Pratchett
📖 The Wonderful Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum
📖 Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland – Lewis Carroll
📖 His Dark Materials: The Golden Compass – Philip Pullman
📖 Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones
📖 Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief – Rick Riordan

I think this will be an awesome mix of magic, adventure, and hands-on science, but… what do you think? Any titles you’d swap? What are your favourite books that could inspire a cool science experiment? Now’s your chance to have a say! 👇📚✨

Photo taken at Astley Book Farm – an amazing place to visit if you love getting lost in books! 📚✨

The club will run, as always, at Bedworth Heath Community Centre and Cheylesmore Community Centre, Library & C3 Coffee , but also at all our partner schools, bringing fantastic science and storytelling to even more young explorers! 🚀🔬

27/01/2025

Just when I thought working with kids can be sometimes challenging - this weekend, I tackled adults creating electric circuit-powered board games for Chinese New Year with Six Sided Society at FarGo Village Coventry ! 🎲🐉 Inspired by the legendary zodiac race, these games had lights, sounds, shaky bridges, and even spinning traps to knock counters off the board. The creativity was next-level - I mean, just look at me trying to figure out how to bring those wild ideas to life! 😂

Who says only kids get to have all the fun? 🧡 Stay tuned - more exciting workshops for all ages are on the way soon! 🚀✨

https://stemgoeswild.co.uk/holiday-stem-activities

23/01/2025

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a Hands-On STEM Workshop! 🐉🎲 🚨 Only 4 days to go! 🚨

Looking for something fun, creative, and totally unique to do this weekend? Join us at FarGo Village Coventry , for a hands-on workshop where you can build your own interactive electric board game inspired by the legendary Chinese Zodiac race!

🛠️ What You’ll Do: Celebrate Chinese New Year in a creative and educational way. Design and build a board game with lights, sounds, and traps using simple circuits. Learn the myth behind the Chinese Zodiac while having fun! Walk away with a one-of-a-kind creation you can show off to family and friends.

📅 Details: Date: Sunday, 26th January 2025 Time: 1:00–3:00 pm 4:00–6:00 pm Location: Six Sided Society FarGo Village, Coventry Age: Teens and adults (11+) Cost: From £25 per person

🔥 Why You Should Join: No prior experience with circuits? No worries - we guide you every step of the way. It’s the perfect mix of creativity, engineering, and storytelling. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with a hands-on activity that’s fun for all!

🎟️ Spots are limited, so book now to secure your place! Book here: https://stemgoeswild.co.uk/holiday-stem-activities

Feel free to DM me if you have any questions. We’d love to see you there! 🙌

💬 Let’s Chat! Have you ever heard the myth of the Chinese Zodiac race? Which animal do you think you’d be? Drop your thoughts below while you book your spot!

08/01/2025

Exciting Workshops Coming Soon! 🚀🎨🔬

We’ve been busy cooking up some amazing hands-on workshops for the next season and we can’t wait to share them with you! Whether you’re looking for fun family activities, creative date ideas, or unique gifts, we’ve got something for everyone.

🎲 Chinese Zodiac Circuit Game – Celebrate the Lunar New Year by building your own interactive board game inspired by the legendary zodiac race! Perfect for teens and adults who love a mix of storytelling and STEM.

💌 Build Me Up Bug Bot – Get ready for some Valentine’s Day magic as we create mini vibrating robots that spin, dance, and steal your heart. Fun, quirky, and ideal for teens and adults.

🛁 Bath Bomb Science – Treat yourself (or someone special!) with luxury bath bombs for both Valentine’s and Mother’s Day. Learn the chemistry behind fizzing fun while crafting beautiful, scented gifts.

💡 Light-Up Cards and Flowers – Brighten Mother’s Day with paper circuits and LED creations - a perfect mix of tech and creativity for thoughtful gifts.

🥚 Egg Drop Engineering Challenge – Test your design skills with this classic STEM challenge - can you protect your egg from a high drop? Great for curious kids and families!

🔍 DIY EGGscape Room – Crack the codes and solve puzzles in this Easter-themed escape room challenge where science meets mystery. Build your own puzzle eggs and unlock the fun! Teens and Adults

👉 Dates, locations and details will be live very soon - so keep your eyes peeled! All of these in collaboration with our favourite small businesses FarGo Village Coventry Six Sided Society Sugar & Spice Bedworth Community Gardens & The Mayor's Cafe Don’t miss out - subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when tickets drop! https://mailchi.mp/stemgoeswild/newsletter 🎟️✨

07/01/2025

Happy New Year 2025! 🎉🥳

We’re back this week with our STEM Club: Forces of Nature – Pokémon Edition! 🌋⚡🌪️

We kicked off the new year with Volcanic Fury at Manor Park Primary School, diving into the science of volcanoes - how they form, why they erupt, and what makes them so powerful. 🌍🔥

The kids got hands-on with lava flow experiments and explored volcanic rocks, gases, and eruptions. Plus, we went on a Pokémon scavenger hunt to catch Magmar and Charmander! 🧪✨

School after-school clubs are back, along with sessions in Bedworth (Thursdays) Bedworth STEM Club - Forces of Nature: Pokemon Edition at Bedworth Heath Community Centre and Cheylesmore (Fridays) Cheylesmore Kids STEM Club: Forces of Nature - Pokemon Edition at Cheylesmore Community Centre, Library & C3 Coffee restarting this week! 🎉

We’re just getting started - see you later this week for more natural disasters, fun experiments, and Pokémon-inspired adventures! 🌊🌪️⚡

Let’s make 2025 an unforgettable year of learning and discovery! 🚀

20/12/2024

🌋⚡🌪️ Can you survive standing near an erupting volcano?
What happens when lightning strikes the ground? ⚡
And is it possible to “feel” an earthquake before it happens? 🌍

Find out the answers and experience these forces of nature up close at our STEM Club: Forces of Nature – Pokémon Edition! 🎮✨

Get ready to explore natural disasters like never before with jaw-dropping experiments (yes, the Van de Graaff generator will make your hair stand on end!) and discover the incredible science behind the world’s most powerful phenomena.

📅 Weekly sessions start this January in Bedworth Bedworth Heath Community Centre (Thursdays) & Cheylesmore Cheylesmore Community Centre, Library & C3 Coffee (Fridays).

Cheylesmore Kids STEM Club: Forces of Nature - Pokemon Edition

Bedworth STEM Club - Forces of Nature: Pokemon Edition
🎟️ Spaces are limited - book now to secure your spot!

👉 Click here to join the adventure: https://stemgoeswild.co.uk/stem-clubs

Are you brave enough to face the forces of nature? 🌊❄️

19/12/2024

It’s the Last Week of Naughty Elf STEM Lab Term - Inauguration Time! 🎄✨

Our little STEM adventurers have officially graduated from the Naughty Elf Academy with flying colours! 🧑‍🔧🔬 After weeks of mischief-making and wild creativity, they’re now fully certified Naughty Elves. 🎓🎉

We’re wrapping up with kaleidoscopes today at Bedworth Heath Community Centre and tomorrow and Cheylesmore Community Centre, Library & C3 Coffee but stay tuned for more exciting adventures in the new year! 🌟✨

18/12/2024

🌪️🔥⚡ Calling all Pokémon Trainers! ⚡🔥🌪️
Get ready for an electrifying adventure with our next STEM Club theme: Forces of Nature – Pokémon Edition! 🎮🧪

From volcanic eruptions 🌋 to wild tornadoes 🌪️, and shocking lightning storms ⚡, we’re diving into the incredible powers of nature - Pokémon style! 🕹️✨

🎨 Craft, build, and experiment like a true trainer while learning the science behind your favorite Pokémon moves! Think Pikachu’s Thunderbolt or Groudon’s Earthquake brought to life! 🐾💡

🗓️ Launching in January after the New Year, sessions will run weekly in Bedworth and Cheylesmore. Details and booking links go live this Friday night - stay tuned to secure your spot! 🎟️
Bedworth Heath Community Centre
Cheylesmore Community Centre, Library & C3 Coffee

Perfect for young science fans, curious minds, and Pokémon enthusiasts. Don’t miss this epic adventure into the world of science and Pokémon! 🔬🎉

17/12/2024

CAN YOU HELP US? 🙏🏼🔬
If you’re a parent, teacher, or someone who’s joined one of our workshops, clubs, or events over the years, we’d love to hear from you! 🌟

We get so many kind comments in person, but we’d really appreciate it if you could leave us a quick review on our Google page. It helps us grow and continue bringing hands-on STEM fun to kids and families. 🚀

Whether it’s about a school visit, a science party, a workshop, or one of our holiday activities – we’d love your feedback!

Here’s the link to share your thoughts: ⬇️
https://g.page/r/CdQhvAEMl--0EBM/review

Thank you so much for your support! It means the world to us. 💚

Post a review to our profile on Google

17/12/2024

🎄 This Weekend: The Shake & Bake Challenge! 🎄

Get ready for a unique family adventure – build, decorate, and test your very own earthquake-proof gingerbread house! 🏠💥

Here’s how it works:
🛠️ 30 mins – Assemble your hand-baked gingerbread house (thanks to the amazing Sha from Sugar & Spice 🍪).
🍬 30 mins – Let the icing set while you enjoy snacks and drinks.
💥 Shake Test – Put your house to the test on our earthquake simulator! Will it survive?
✨ 1 hour – Decorate (and fix, if needed!) your masterpiece with plenty of sweet treats

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Group ticket: £60 (for up to 4 people)
📅 When: This weekend 21st and 22nd of Dec – choose 11am-1pm or 2pm-4pm
📍 Where: FarGo Village Coventry

Shake & Bake: Gingerbread House Engineering Family Challenge

It’s festive, hands-on fun that blends creativity, engineering, and a little bit of science! Snacks and drinks are included to keep you fuelled while you work your magic.

🎟️ Limited spots available – book now! 👉 https://stemgoeswild.co.uk/holiday-stem-activities/shake-bake-gingerbread-house-engineering-family-challenge

Let’s see if your gingerbread house can survive the shake! 🏠✨

17/12/2024

🛁✨ Bath Bomb Workshop Recap! ✨🛁

What an amazing day at our Winter Wonderland Spa Creations: Luxury Bath Bombs & Treats (Adults Only) ! From dreamy scents to beautiful handmade bath bombs, everyone left feeling relaxed, creative, and pampered – with a huge help from sweet treats by Sugar & Spice 🧁💖

Would you like to join this workshop just with your group?
We’re now offering private bath bomb workshops for your own group of friends, family, or colleagues! Perfect for:

A relaxing friends’ meet-up 🍾
Birthday treats 🎂
A unique pampering session 💆‍♀️
📍 FarGo Village Coventry | Group size: 4-8 people | Sweet treats included!

Plus, we’ll be back with more bath bomb magic for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day – the perfect gift for someone special. 💝

Interested? Drop us a message to book your group session or save a spot for our upcoming workshops! 🎟️✨

13/12/2024

☔ Rainy Weekend Plans? We’ve Got You Covered! 🎄

Escape the gloomy weather and join us at FarGo Village FarGo Village Coventry this weekend for cosy, creative workshops that will warm you up and get you in the festive spirit! 🌟

🎄 Festive Cards with a Circuitry Twist Workshop + Sweet Treats with Sugar & Spice
Perfect for ages 7+, this family-friendly workshop lets you design and make light-up Christmas cards using LED circuits. Sweet treats included!
📅 Saturday & Sunday
🕑 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

🛁 Winter Winter Wonderland Spa Creations: Luxury Bath Bombs & Treats (Adults Only) Create luxurious, winter-inspired bath bombs with cosy scents and skin-nourishing ingredients. BYOB and enjoy sweet treats!
📅 Saturday Afternoon
🕑 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

💡 Geeky Greeting Cards Workshop with electric circuits and UV effects with Six Sided Society – Final Session!
Last chance to join our adults-only Geeky Greeting Cards workshop. Add a geeky twist with electric circuits and UV effects. Perfect for fans of Pokémon, D&D, Zelda, and more!
📅 Sunday Afternoon
🕑 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm

🎁 Why Join Us?
☔ Cosy spaces to escape the rain
🎨 Hands-on fun for all skill levels
✨ Take home unique creations - perfect for gifting!

🎟️ Limited spots available - book now! https://stemgoeswild.co.uk/holiday-stem-activities

11/12/2024

🎉 What an amazing start to our festive workshops! 🎉

Last weekend’s Geeky Greeting Cards Workshop was a huge success - just look at these creative, light-up cards designed with electric circuits and UV effects! From Pokémon to DnD and everything in between, everyone brought their geeky ideas to life in the most festive way possible. 🌟💡

And guess what? We’re back this weekend with TWO exciting workshops at FarGo Village:

🎅 Geeky Greeting Cards Workshop with electric circuits and UV effects – Get hands-on and craft light-up cards featuring your favourite fandoms. This workshop is for adults only. In collaboration with Six Sided Society

🎄 Festive Cards with a Circuitry Twist Workshop + Sweet Treats – Add a magical glow to your holiday greetings with LED circuits! Perfect for families and anyone aged 7+. In collaboration with Sugar & Spice

📅 When? Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th December
📍 Where? FarGo Village, Coventry FarGo Village Coventry

Don’t miss out on another weekend of creativity, fun, and festive cheer! Tickets are still available, so grab yours now and join the fun: https://stemgoeswild.co.uk/holiday-stem-activities 🎟️✨

Tag a friend and let’s get crafty this weekend! 🖌️💡

13/11/2024

🎄 Naughty Elf's Traps - Week 1 Highlights! 🎄

Last week, our inventive young creators took on the challenge of building elf traps! 🧑‍🔧✨ From sweet baits to trap doors, levers, pulleys, and clever mechanisms, each trap was designed to outwit even the sneakiest elves trying to cause holiday mischief! 🍭🎁

Rest assured, no elves were harmed in the process! 😉 We have plenty of time before Christmas to apologise to any captured elves, and we’re sure these little tricksters will appreciate that, for once, someone finally played a trick on them! 🎅✨

https://stemgoeswild.co.uk/stem-clubs

Next up, we’re making candy vending machines - yum! 🍬 We only have one spot left for Bedworth Heath Community Centre and a few openings for Cheylesmore Community Centre, Library & C3 Coffee , so don’t miss out!

Kids STEM Club - Bedworth: Naughty Elves STEM Lab
Cheylesmore Kids STEM Club: Naughty Elves STEM Lab