Set off on a curious adventure with everyday objects in science presenter, Maddie Moate’s brand-new book! In How Does It Work, you can find out about all sorts of everyday objects and machines – from microwaves to smart speakers, playground roundabouts to supermarket checkouts!
If you’re a Maddie mega-fan, you need to have a look in Whizz Pop Bang: The Sugar Lab. She told us all about what it’s like to share her love of science on TV, YouTube and on stage.
We’ve got two copies of How Does It Work by Maddie Moate to give away to two lucky Whizz Pop Bang fans! To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question in the comments:
What does an apiarist look after? A) Apes B) Bees C) Cats
Cheltenham Science Festival returns from 3rd to 8th June 2025, promising a week filled with interactive exhibits, inspiring talks, and hands-on activities tailored for young science enthusiasts. Whether you’re a parent, teacher or home educator, there’s something for every budding scientist.
For more details on the Cheltenham Science Festival and to book tickets, visit the official website.
Here are some highlights from the festival’s family programme:
Interactive Zones
Explore the Discover Zone, MakerShack, and The Arcade – three free-to-enter areas where children can engage with experiments, crafts and games designed to ignite curiosity.
Tuesday 3rd June 2025, 5.30pm, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 7+
On your marks, get set, go… with Paralympic champion Grace Harvey and performance scientist Steve Ingham. Discover the physical and mental challenges of being an athlete and the science of how to become a champion. Find out what it feels like to win gold and learn how everyone can enjoy sport. Chaired by TV presenter Maddie Moate.
Saturday 7th June 2025, 10am, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 7+
Join TV scientist and food physicist Chris Clarke on a colourful, zingy and messy journey through the science behind our favourite sweet treats. Explosive sugar, suspicious smells, the world’s sourest sweet and plenty more sensory experiences to tickle your tastebuds. Get ready for hands on demonstrations and plenty of tasters as Dr Chris whips, rolls, smashes and blows up his travelling confectionary kitchen.
Saturday 7th June 2025, various times, The Queens Hotel, Cheltenham. Age 5+
It’s time for a check up! Bring along your favourite stuffed toy to the teddy bear vet clinic, where you will learn what it’s like to be a vet and how you can keep your teddies happy and healthy. Get hands-on experience at working in a veterinary surgery from bandaging to taking x-rays, and learn what it’s really like to care for animals from real-life vet Jess French.
Saturday 7th June 2025, 10.30am, Pillar Room, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 7+
Has a slug ever been to space? Can you unboil an egg? Bestselling science writer Isabel Thomas provides even more answers to the weird and wonderful questions that buzz around children’s brains at bedtime. Explore the answers with interactive experiments and bring your own bamboozling brainteasers for a chance to star in Isabel’s next book!
Saturday 7th June 2025, 12pm, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 8+
Alright BOOM, TikTok star Big Manny is back with more amazing experiments that he’ll perform on stage and that you can try at home. This time we’re gonna be learning all about physics tings – from sound waves to circuits and mad magnetism to sparky electricity. Chaired by Greg Foot.
Saturday 7th June 2025, 12pm, The Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Age 7+
Prepare for a storm chasing adventure as you explore the extremes of our planet with climate scientist and TV presenter, Mark Langtry. Harness hurricanes and twist tornados as you investigate our changing climate. This high energy show will make you feel powerful about your future and inspire you to make a positive impact on our world.
Sunday 8th June 2025, 10am, The Queens Hotel, Cheltenham. Age 7+
Can you build a robot with paper? Join origami engineer and roboticist Chenying Liu to explore the potential of origami in advanced robotics. Get hands-on and transform flat sheets of paper into impressive structures for robotics, sustainable home decoration and even space exploration.
Sunday 8th June 2025, 10.30am, The Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Age 8+
Join the Guinness World Records for a science themed hour of jaw-dropping records, remarkable feats and fascinating facts – it’s fun for all the family. Discover how record breaking has changed over the years and what incredible records might be broken in 2025. Plus, take part and maybe set your own Guinness World Records title.
Sunday 8th June 2025, 11am, Pillar Room, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 5+
Would an elephant eat your cereal? Could a hippo wallow in your bath? Join author and vet Jess French as you draw along with Shoo Rayner to transform your house into a zoo. Chaired by Becci Smith.
Can’t make it to Cheltenham? Here are other science festivals across the UK that offer family-friendly activities:
The Big Bang Fair – 17th – 19th June 2025, Birmingham. This event showcases STEM careers and interactive exhibits for young people.
Manchester Science Festival – Features a range of events, from hands-on workshops to science-themed art installations. Check their site for dates of their next festival.
Edinburgh Science Festival – Offers a diverse programme of activities, including experiments, shows, and discussions suitable for all ages. Check their site for dates of their next festival.
Oxford Science and Ideas Festival – Combines science with arts and culture, providing a unique experience for families. Next festival is in October 2025 – check their site for specific dates, to be announced in August 2025.
Note: Please check each festival’s official website for the latest information on dates and programmes.
Can you believe that it’s possible to build a working refractor telescope at home using mainly sustainable, high-quality cardboard parts? The Build Your Own Telescope kit from Build Your Own makes it simple!
Inspire and engage young imaginations with this Build Your Own refractor telescope kit. Including pre-cut parts, real glass optic lenses, a mirror, detail instructions and more, this kit has everything needed to make a fully-functioning, durable telescope. Use it in daylight or at night to explore our world in detail!
Press out the pre-cut pieces, then slot them together (no glue needed!) to make a telescope with 16x magnification. This kit has been designed in the UK to excite and inspire young scientists. It’s the perfect minimal plastic, sustainable project to fill long evenings and wet weekends!
We’ve got a Build Your Own Telescope kit to give away to a lucky Whizz Pop Bang fan! To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question in the comments:
Earth’s closest star is called A) Proxy Centaur B) Proxima Centauri C) Programme Century
Are you looking for fun and simple British Science Week activities to celebrate this year’s theme, “Change and Adapt”? We’ve got you covered with a FREE science resource pack filled with hands-on experiments that your class will love!
Why ‘Change and Adapt’ is a Brilliant Theme
This year’s British Science Week theme encourages children to explore how things change in the world around them—whether through chemical reactions, forces, materials, or biological adaptation. It’s a fantastic opportunity to tie science into your curriculum in a way that’s engaging and memorable.
Free School Resources Pack – Throw A Science Party In Your Classroom!
To help you plan a curiousity-awakening, exciting (and most importantly, stress-free) British Science Week, we’ve got an amazing science freebie for you: a FREE ‘Science Party’ pack packed with six exciting experiments designed for KS1 and KS2. These hands-on activities will spark curiosity, encourage problem-solving, and bring science to life!
Each experiment explores the “Change and Adapt” theme through fun, interactive investigations that are easy to set up:
🟢 Making Chromatography Decorations – Explore how colours separate and create beautiful patterns! A perfect mix of art and science.
🔵 Bed of Pins Balloon Experiment – Discover how forces work by testing whether a balloon can survive being pressed against a bed of pins!
🟠 Fizz Pop Bang Edible Powder – Experience chemical reactions that you can taste!
🟣 Static Slime – Investigate static electricity while making an ooey-gooey slime that moves with an electric charge!
🟡 Magic Colour-Changing Icing – Learn about acid-base indicators in a fun and edible experiment that will leave your class amazed!
⚪ Incredible Invisible Ink – Uncover secret messages using simple kitchen ingredients—just like a real scientist (or spy)!
Each activity is easy to set up with minimal resources, making it perfect for busy teachers who want maximum impact with minimal prep!
Like all of Whizz Pop Bang’s science teaching resources, the science behind each activity is explained in simple, age-appropriate language, making planning and teaching these fun lessons an absolute breeze.
PLUS Here’s an Amazing Offer on School Subscriptions and Downloadable Resources!
Save 20% on our school subscriptions and downloadable resources for the first year as well as our school bundles. Simply add code SCIWEEK25 at check out.
British Science Week is the perfect opportunity to ignite a love for STEM in your classroom. Whether your pupils are experimenting with chemical changes, forces, or electricity, our Science Party Pack will keep them engaged and excited.
British Science Week 2025 is an exciting annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in the UK. Taking place from 7th to 16th March 2025, this nationwide event features a variety of science activities, workshops, and events for children and adults alike. Whether you’re a budding scientist or simply curious about the world around you, there are plenty of ways to engage with science during this week-long festival.
How to Take Part in British Science Week 2025
Getting involved in British Science Week doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some easy and fun ways to explore science:
Try kitchen science experiments at home
Visit a science museum or exhibition
Attend a science talk or fair
Join a citizen science project
Enter the British Science Week poster competition
The goal of British Science Week is to spark curiosity and excitement about STEM subjects, making science accessible and enjoyable for all ages.
You don’t need a high-tech lab to explore science—many exciting hands-on experiments can be done using everyday household items. Simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and food coloring can lead to fascinating discoveries.
Science museums and exhibitions are packed with interactive displays and hands-on experiments, making them a great way to engage kids with science. During British Science Week, many museums and venues host special STEM events, workshops, and science shows. Find your local science centre here!
Looking for science events near you? Check out the What’s On in Science Week listings to find both in-person and virtual science activities happening from 7th-16th March.
The British Science Week poster competition is a fun challenge for children aged 3-18 years old. This year’s theme is “Change and Adapt”, and young scientists can submit creative posters for a chance to win all sorts of science prizes.
Submission deadline: 3rd April 2025
Encourage your child to showcase their creativity and love for science by entering the competition. Find out more here.
From DIY science experiments to museum visits and STEM competitions, there are so many ways to celebrate British Science Week 2025. Whether you explore science at home, attend an event, or take part in a citizen science project, it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn, discover, and have fun with science.
Fill your child with science wonder with a subscription to Whizz Pop Bang, the award-winning magazine for 6 to 12-year-olds. Watch their face light up with glee when their very own magazine zooms through the letterbox! Packed full of hands-on science awesomeness, it’s the gift that keeps of delighting, month after month.
We’ve got three brilliantly bonkers books to give away to a lucky Whizz Pop Bang fan!
Hilo: The Boy Who Crashed To Earth by Judd Winnick is a graphic novel about an alien boy who crash-lands into a clubhouse belonging to two totally normal kids, D.J. and Gina and turns their lives upside down.
To be in with a chance of winning these goodies, simply answer this question in the comments:
The bones inside the ear are sometimes known as: A) The hammer, the anvil and the stirrup B) The spade, the fork and the trowel C) The saddle, the bridle and the bit
When cornflour is mixed with water, it becomes a goo that flows like a liquid until it is hit or pressed – then it acts like a solid. Watch the video below to find out what happens if cornflour is placed on a speaker that is vibrating and making sound waves.
The cornflour goo is getting continually hit by the vibrating speaker, making these weird and wonderful dancing cornflour figures!
This cornflour and water mixture is sometimes called oobleck, and you should definitely try playing with it at home! Here’s a recipe for how to make this slime-like substance…
You will need: Mixing bowl Spoon Cornflour or custard powder Water Food colouring (optional)
What you do: 1. Place four heaped tablespoons of cornflour or custard powder into a bowl. 2. Add a splash of water and stir the mixture. Keep adding water a little at a time, until the mixture is about the same consistency as honey. 3. If you add too much water, add some more cornflour or custard powder. 4. Add a little food colouring if you like and mix it in.
Watch the video to find out more about the strange properties of this special substance.
Have you ever wondered what happens when a rocket breaks the sound barrier? This clip shows the Atlas V rocket launching and then reaching supersonic speeds. The shock wave made by the rocket breaking the sound barrier can actually be seen rippling across the sky! Watch this mini movie to see it for yourself:
Don’t want to watch the entire launch? The big moment happens at 1:52 – click below to start watching a few seconds before it.
Spark their imagination with the Dino Discovery Bundle—a fantastic set of three dinosaur-packed magazines! This exciting collection of prehistoric puzzles, hands-on activities and fascinating facts will inspire any young dino fan.
Did you know that Whizz Pop Bang’s bargain bundles of back issues are a great way of giving the awesome science magazine for kids a try? Three issues – £14.99 (that’s just £4.99 per issue!) Six issues – £27.99 (that’s £4.66 just per issue!) Twelve issues – £49.99 (that’s just £4.16 per issue!) PLUS ALL PRICES INCLUDE FREE UK P&P!
🌟 What’s Inside the Dino Discovery Bundle?
Your young explorer will have the chance to make, discover, and investigate incredible prehistoric wonders!
🛠️ Make…
Encourage hands-on learning with fun dinosaur-themed activities that help kids explore the science behind these ancient creatures! 🦕 Fold a walking paper dino 🦕 Craft a pegosaurus 🦕 Bake sauropod footprint cookies 🦕 Erupt a fizzing volcano 🦕 Cut and stick a 3D T. rex that appears to follow you around! 🦕 Make a strata pot 🦕 Model replica teeth, bones and shells 🦕 Create a nodding stegosaurus 🦕 Fly a soaring pterosaur
🔍 Discover…
Your child will uncover mind-blowing dino facts, including: 🦕 The link between dinosaurs and birds 🦕 Did dinosaurs fart themselves to extinction? (Yes, really!) 🦕 Pterosaurs that were as big as aeroplanes 🦕 Dinos taller than houses 🦕 Terrifying sea predators that ruled prehistoric oceans 🦕 What life in the Cretaceous period might have been like
🧐 Investigate…
Your little scientist will dive into fascinating experiments, learning: 🦕 How pterosaur crests may have helped them fly 🦕 The science behind gliders and how they soar without engines 🦕 How asteroid and meteorite craters form 🦕 What happened to plants after the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs
More Exciting Science Bundles Available!
Looking for more educational fun? Explore our bargain magazine bundles packed with STEM experiments, space adventures, and prehistoric discoveries!
