Discovery Hub 2026

Saturday 24 is family day. Thursday  22 and Friday 23 from 10am to 2.30pm are focused on schools visits with general public from 2.30pm to 4pm. Schools please reserve (email admin@bloomsburyfestival.org.uk).  Everyone else of all ages can just drop in.

An exciting mix of science and creative activites over three days for schools, families and the general public. The Discovery Hub features interactive exhibitions and workshops relating to the theme of Grow. Schools activities are aimed at KS2 & KS3 students.

ACTIVITIES

SATURDAY 24 OCT

CAMERA OBSCURA

NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre

Step inside a newly constructed Camera Obscura which demonstrates how the eye works, and how the eye and the brain work together to create a visual interpretation of the world around us.

THE NIGHT SKY

UCL Astronomers

Learn how to read the night sky through two activities - a mobile planetarium show introducing the classification and patterns of the stars, planets and black holes; and practical hands-on activities with telescopes introducing concave mirrors and lenses.

EVOLUTION OF OUR EMOTIONAL SYSTEM

Dr Ayse U Akarca UCL Researcher and Artist

Participatory story-telling and art activities show how the cells of the body communicate with each other and explore how your emotions and thought patterns can transform awareness and healing

THE RADIOTHERAPY STATION

CRUK City of London Radiation Research Centre at UCL

Interactive activities and games show that radiation is all around us and how external beam radiotherapy can be used to treat cancer. You are invited to play an online game, a FREE-standing physical LED game, and to take part in hands-on craft activities and discussion with researchers.

SOAS ORIGAMI WORKSHOP

An open origami paper folding workshop themed on space, starts, the planets and the night sky

TAKE ME DOWN TO ELECTRO-CITY

UCL - U-Cell

With a focus on solar power for spacecraft and other astronomy related power, this interactive science stand explores hydrogen fuel cell and battery-powered technology and offers hands-on experience around the theme of energy storage. Take part in simple experiments and demonstrations.

FROM ANIMALS TO ROBOTS: CELEBRATING NATURE’S DESIGN

UCL academic Sara Adela Abad Guaman

Step into a world where nature inspires technology with cutting-edge robotics. Explore how the alpaca’s foot is inspiring the next generation of adaptive robots. You will feel, test, and discover the importance of feet for moving and adapting like living organisms.

COLLECTING JOY

UCL’s Centre for Research in Autism and Education, CRAE’s Repository of Autistic Joy Brian Crae - Discovery Hub interactive exhibit

The Repository of Autistic Joy is a growing photo gallery where autistic people can share a photo of something that sparks joy, from a treasured hobby to a quiet moment of comfort. We will collect and display photographs of the things that bring you joy: a favourite place, a treasured object, a pastime, or a small everyday delight.