Why did this crack appear in this aircraft component? Using a computer analysis technique called finite element analysis the component is virtually tested to see if clues can be found as to why it failed. Finite element analysis can be used for this type of forensic investigation or as part of the design process to investigate the behaviour of structures under various loading conditions.

Register here:

For similar sessions and many more, check out our exciting British Science Week Programme .

Continuing this series, Technical Demonstrator Harri Little shares his expertise and shows how you can develop your field biology skills from your back garden.

Register here:

For similar sessions and many more, check out our exciting British Science Week Programme .

Viral pandemics occur periodically and impact the population to differing degrees. This current pandemic is caused by a coronavirus, somewhat unexpected as most pandemic planning was based on the emergence of a new strain of influenza. What are the main differences between influenza and coronaviruses? What parallels actually can be drawn between the two viruses?

Come on a retrospective journey through a turbulent year in virology, to see the first hand challenges and the lessons learned from the frontline.

Register here:

This is an online event

The seven greatest unsolved problems in mathematics are each worth a cool $1 million!

Learn more about these problems as - creator of the award-winning Tom Rocks Maths - takes you to the cutting edge of mathematical research. Don't miss this engaging, interactive event, where you choose which problems to investigate by using a live voting system.

Register here:

This is an online event

This event is aimed at anyone looking to turn their polar interest into a career. The event will be hosted by the UKPN - UK Polar Network (read more here: https://polarnetwork.org/about-ukpn/) - and will include specialist talks by polar experts working in a range of different fields. Each expert will provide a short introduction on themselves, their job and their background before we split into breakout rooms. Here you’ll have the opportunity to pick your polar career of choice and have an in-depth discussion about what it takes to reach your goal with an expert in the field.

What will you get out of this event?

Get a deeper understanding of the different sectors in the polar industry

Learn what skills, qualifications and experience are required for your very own polar career

Develop tangible ideas and possible options for your very own polar career

Get your questions answered by polar experts

Register here:

Image credit: Alaska Sea Grant Photo of Anuszka surveying

Can you guess all the answers in our fun science quiz? Come along, test your knowledge and enjoy some geeky banter in our virtual science pub quiz - all for bragging rights!

Register here:

This is an online event.

Can models predict the future? How does that work? Epidemiological models have been mentioned in the media every day for months now as the way to predict the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many other models have also been developed to study other critical questions that have arisen, such as the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor spaces and how masks can fit your face better.

Dr Thomas Woolley and Dr Katerina Kaouri, two mathematical modellers (Senior Lecturers) at the School of Mathematics at Cardiff University, will bring to you an interactive session on pandemic modelling. Thomas will deliver a talk on zombiism and both Katerina and Thomas will relay some of their COVID-19 modelling work and answer your questions. Suitable for children aged 11+.

Register here:

Have you ever wondered how to model a zombie apocalypse? Wonder no more! In this talk we discuss the basics of building mathematical models and how to use them to predict the spread of zombies through a city. It turns out that we can use very similar models to look at how diseases spread through a population, which we do after working out how quickly the zombies are likely to take over!

Register here:

For similar sessions and many more, check out our exciting British Science Week Programme .

This is an online event

A showcase of an upcoming sensory learning project, Sense the Universe! This project aims to bring Astronomical education to a more inclusive audience by developing learning activities which can be done at home with everyday objects and engage the senses.

For this session you'll need the following:

• paper plates

• paint

• sand

• cotton wool

• hair gel

• paper

Register here:

This is an online event

Why do some people think climate change is not really ‘a thing’?

Why doesn’t everybody try to ameliorate treatment of the environment?

Why do we continue to buy cheap clothes, use crazy amounts of plastic, eat far too much meat?

Cost and convenience are the main answers ... perhaps the only answers. As governments and multinational companies head towards more environmentally-friendly practices, how can we ensure these continue and get better in the future? By reaching out to the young people!

STEM Ginger Education runs ‘The Environmental Warriors’: monthly projects related to the environment, running all around the world, giving children a purpose for communicating in English and learning about the bigger picture. Instead of telling children what is being done wrong, let’s give them reason to want to do things right! The more that we learn and care about each other, the more we will think twice about the way we are behaving.

Register here:

This event is a basic introduction to robotics and shows robots operating in the real world as well as robot models performing tasks that have been built using a Lego Mindstorm kit.

The intention is to provide an understanding of robotics in an entertaining and fun way using a Lego robot.

The event is primarily for schoolchildren, based on a lesson aimed at Key Stages 2 to 3, but parents are expected to join in; as well as being a fun session it's an opportunity for those attending to pick up a basic understanding of robotics and gain an insight into what a career in Robotics could offer.

So, whether you have some knowledge of the subject and looking to learn more or merely curious this event is designed to accommodate both!

What will you get out of this event?

• We will explain what robotics is all about in simple terms.

• We will show a short video illustrating what real robots can currently achieve as well as how some of these can be achieved using Lego kits that you can build in your home.

• There will be an opportunity for you to share your ideas on what Robotics could do in the future. The good, the bad and the ugly!

• We will look at another video explaining the component parts of a Lego robot.

• We will talk briefly about programming a robot before showing a video on programming a Lego MindStorms EV3 robot to perform a simple sequence of tasks.

• We will finish with a Q&A session

This event is presented by the South Wales Branch of the BCS the chartered institute for IT

Anyone, with an interest in robotics or working in this field, who would like to become involved in promoting this STEM subject or would simply like to know more about how they could be involved, please get in touch with us at: .

Register here:

This is an online event

Come and join us for our lunchtime learning session! Sparklab Cymru presents Heart themed experiments to try at home and inspire a love of Science in the next generation! This event is aimed at children aged 6 and above and will be delivered in English and Welsh.

Register here:

This is an online event

All living organisms contain molecules called DNA. DNA is what makes you you. DNA is what makes a banana a banana. DNA contains instructions in small segments called genes. Differences in genes are responsible for differences in hair colour, eye colour, and those differences are what make you a human and not a banana!

Have you ever wondered what DNA looks like? Well, together, we can extract DNA from fruits to see what it looks like and even touch it! Only common household products are needed. Come along and extract DNA together!

Register here:

Join the Incredible Oceans team as they explore the Welsh coast with you on World Whale Day! Kicking things off is oceanographer Russell Arnott who will be telling us about his favourite whale! Marine mammologist Claudia Allen from Swansea University will be showcasing the humble harbour porpoise – Wales’ most enigmatic marine mammal! We’ll then be fossil hunting and exploring the geology around Cardiff with Oliver (age 7), star of the Lollipop Adventures YouTube channel! And finally, Welsh musician Francesca Dimech will be teaching us how to say different sea creatures in Welsh! The session will end with a live Q&A so get those questions ready!

Register here:

This is an online event

Making computer games involves lots of great skills, including computer coding, audio design and graphic design. In this game jam, we will introduce you to everything you need to make your own computer game, for free. We'll be around during the whole event to provide help and advice. We'll showcase all the games on our website after the event for everyone to play, as well as offering some prizes for the best games.

Our theme this year is Space, so you can start thinking about an Out Of This World game idea.

There are two introductory sessions, at 10-10:30am and 1-1:30pm. Please make sure that you join during one of these slots so that we can introduce you to what's going on. If you join at any other time then you will miss what to do! Between these sessions, we will be available on Zoom to answer any questions that you have.

Please note: This even is for children aged 8-16. Children must be accompanied by an adult during the event. You will need a device with internet access.

Register here:

This is an online event

We try not to think about it too much but when it comes down to it we really know very little about the world around us and are constantly relying on experts to inform us. So what happens when the world is seemingly entering an era full of fake news, bad science, distrust and conspiracy?

Join science communicator James Lees as he explores just how little we all can (and do) know, why we should and shouldn’t trust experts, what happens when conspiracy theorists are confronted with facts and what we can all do to make the world a slightly less crazy place in this informative and amusing talk. There’s also a general knowledge quiz that you won’t need to feel bad for getting wrong.

Register here:

This is an online event

Discover how increasing atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide are causing a series of events that could cause global warming and climate change to spiral out of control.

Register here:

This is a live replay of the Circuit Building event from the 10th Feb.

You’re invited to join David Ansah and Iestyn Llyr, Embedded Software Engineers at CSA Catapult, to build your own lightbulb circuit, learn about the flow of electricity, where's the best place for the battery and how to measure voltage. We've also got a puzzle for parents: they'll be challenged to calculate your circuit's current.

David and Iestyn will reveal how their roles involve discovering what compound semiconductors can do and how they will transform future technology, in the applications we use every day. They will be joined by our HR Director, Clare Gunning who will introduce CSA Catapult’s STEM activities – these aim to help young people discover routes into engineering and tech.

We believe this activity is best suited to children up to age 12. If you’re looking for an interesting and educational activity to keep your young ones busy in lockdown – this event is for you! We look forward to seeing you there.

Register here:

This is an online event

Meet the experts working on the detection of gravitational waves here at Cardiff University.

This panel discussion will cover a broad range of aspects of gravitational wave science and the technology used to detect them. There will be an opportunity to ask questions of the panel, and a recording will be made available to attendees after the event.

The event is aimed at 15+.

Register here:

This is an online event

Bridges, buildings and musical instruments all have specific natural frequencies at which they will vibrate. By noting changes in the natural frequencies of a structure we can detect cracks and other kinds of damage. In this presentation we measure the natural frequencies of bridges in Cardiff and New Zealand and represent them as sounds produced by musical instruments and voices.

Register here:

In this session we will learn the cardiac cycle and how it forms the traces you see on an ECG. We’ll talk about what a “normal” ECG is and what happens when things go wrong.

For similar sessions and many more, check out our exciting British Science Week Programme .

Join us for a look at circuits and electricity. We’ll have: 

• An electricity Quiz (using Kahoot)  

• How to Make a Squishy Circuit  

• Squishy Circuit Challenges 

• Apply your skills and have a go at this: Airport Family Project - Create your own airport, complete with squishy circuit runways and tower (with morse code) 

Suitable for 5-10 yrs 

Register here:

This is an online event

Every day we are exposed to "fake news" in the form of exaggerated, misinterpreted or fabricated scientific discoveries. At this workshop we will explore how you can access expert opinions on the validity of online media.

Register here:

The festival is supported by amazing volunteers, who all have a passion for STEM and for engaging with the public. We want to give you the chance to meet them, find out what they love about science and STEM and why they enjoy volunteering. So come join us for a YouTube livestream to meet our volunteers and get excited about the rest of the events at the festival.

Register here:

This is an online event

Ever wondered how animals survive at the poles? Join the UK Polar Network for an informative session on adaptation and then create your own polar organism! It’s down to you whether you want to get the glue out or stick to pen and paper, but whatever form you create in, we’d welcome you to submit a photo so that we can share with our network after the event!

Register here:

Image credit: Holly Jenkins

This is an online event

Travel to the future to help save the forgotten truth! A theatrical workshop focusing on what changes we can make today to create a sustainable and holistic well-being filled future! Inviting the audience to participate and rediscover the wonder of natural food, creativity and voice which have all been forgotten but thanks to the audience, not yet lost...

Register here:

Rhiwbina Library CoderDojo together with Cardiff Science Festival @Rhiwbina is running a Saturday morning Scratch  Workshop. 
This event is aimed at 7 to 11  year old children. 
Each participant will need access to their own computer. Please check your set up BEFORE the session. 
Parents should be involved to provide support to their children. 
 
Learners will need access to: Three different Scratch tutorials can be followed: 
Our facilitators will help. Learners may need to share their screens for problem solving. If you have queries or need help with set up , please email . 

Register here:

This is an online event

Expeditions in the extremes can teach us so much more than simply the skills to survive. With stories from Mount Everest, the North and South Pole, you’ll discover some fascinating facts about why water doesn’t always boil at 100 degrees Centigrade, what’s happening to Antarctica’s 26,500,000 gigatons of ice, how medical research on Everest can help patients in intensive care and why there isn’t even a pole at the North Pole.

Suitable for families.

Tori & Ben are both Fellows of the British Exploring, the UK’s oldest youth development expedition charity. British Exploring is on a mission to create equal access to adventure. It delivers wilderness expeditions which provide young people with unbeatable preparation for adult life and which simultaneously deliver community benefit and positive environmental change.

Register here: