Highlights for scientists

Passionate about science?

Did you study in our Faculty of Natural Sciences? Are you fostering the next generation of scientists? Or maybe you're just interested in space, the structure of our bodies or the future of our planet? The Great Exhibition Road Festival programme is full of exhibits, talks, workshops and performances that bring together art and science and help us imagine where the future could take us. Our highlights take place on both Saturday and Sunday and are drop-in unless specified otherwise.

Don't forget, if you register for Alumni Weekend, you'll also get access to the Alumni Lounge. Enjoy free refreshments all day, and a space away from the crowds where you and your guests can take a moment to relax together. If you register by 8.00 BST on Monday 15 May, you'll get priority booking for our exclusive alumni tours and some of the most popular Great Exhibition Road Festival talks.

Top picks for scientists

Light streaming through the ocean

20,000 leagues under the sea

Join Britain’s first astronaut Helen Sharman for a panel discussion exploring technologies that will help us go where no human has gone before. Sunday only, priority booking with an Alumni Lounge pass.

Discover Earth's final frontier

Student and supervisor in the Chemical Kitchen

Alumni tour: Chemical Kitchen

Discover the home of an original transdisciplinary practical course that uses cooking to teach lab skills. Only available with an Alumni Lounge pass.

Visit the Chemical Kitchen

Blackett Lecture theatre in the Department of Physics

Alumni tour: Physics

Take a trip down memory lane and visit the lecture theatres and labs of the Blackett Building with the Department of Physics. Book in advance, only available with an Alumni Lounge pass.

Visit the department

Photo of researcher and child at GERF Amazing Molecular Science Show

Amazing Molecular Science Show

Explore the incredible world of molecules at this live interactive family show. Book in advance.

Book priority tickets with an Alumni Lounge pass

Children engage with a click chemistry exhibit at the Great Exhibition Road Festival

Click chemistry key chains

Inspired by the 2022 Noble prize for chemistry, discover the simplified method of click chemistry.

Design sugar molecules

Clouds

Cloud station

See clouds in a new way with atmospheric scientists measuring their height, shape and impact on the climate.

Look up

Woman hangs a tag on a tree in the Creative Science Zone

Creative Science zone (18+)

From the art of corrosion to birdsong and hearing health, this zone is where science meets art to create a truly unique and inspiring experience for adults.

Immerse yourself

Graphic illustration of light

Quantum light for future tech

Join expert physicists and learn how to write and destroy information with light.

Make the invisible visible

Maggie Aderin-Pocock

The moon and me

Space scientist and Imperial alumna Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock explores folklore, facts, and our plans to return astronauts to the moon. Sunday only, priority booking with Alumni Lounge pass.

Return to the moon