Science » SEM Faculty Menu of Activity - All Activity

25/09-01/07: Analytical Monopoly

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:15:31 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Putting analytical chemistry into context, students work as competing businesses tasked with identifying unknown chemicals.

This is a session where 2-4 groups of ~5 students (typically KS5) play a game of Monopoly - with analytical techniques such as IR, NMR or mass spec, are the currency! As such, this activity supports the A-level spectroscopy syllabus and introduces new analytical techniques and chemical structures. Students will aim to build their business empire as they establish their business strategy, decide which analytical techniques to purchase, and hopefully make a profit as a result!

We can bring this engaging workshop to your classroom or host classes in our teaching labs. Please contact Gabriele Sosso at g.sosso@warwick.ac.uk to arrange a suitable date.

25/09-01/07: Coding with Sophie

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:13:34 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

A six session coding program designed to teach children how to code. The program follows Sophie the Astronaut as she builds, launches and pilots her rocket out of the solar system.

Students will learn do loops, if/conditionals, functions, debugging and code logic. In the last lesson students additionally get to experiment with black hole physics as their player tries to escape being spaghettified.

Sessions are normally capped at 20 students (larger class sizes may be possible upon request) to schools in the Coventry area.

The program is free and we provide all resources including bringing tablets for students to use. Sessions are led by an active researcher from the engineering or astronomy department that uses coding as a fundamental part of their research.

Please contact Rebecca Nealon via rebecca.nealon@warwick.ac.uk to book onto this program and arrange suitable dates. You can check out more from Coding With Sophie here https://codingwithsophie.warwick.ac.uk/.

25/09-01/07: Dinosaur Hunters

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:14:34 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

During the session there will be 3 group activity stations for the students to try out, followed by a final activity.

The activities are as follows:

1. Looking at skulls and bones – we have models of a t-rex and a triceratops skull to compare the difference between herbivore/carnivore teeth and jaws which the children can touch. We also have a plastic human skeleton model that we will bring, and think about how our teeth are designed for our varied, healthy diet.

2. Code crackers (for confident readers) - children will learn about the Latin and Greek roots of dinosaur names, think about ways to describe dinosaurs, and propose new names for them.

3. Measuring Dinosaurs – Here the children will have a number of different dinosaur skull pictures with their total length on the back. We then give pairs a tape measure and they have to measure out the right distance to see how big their dinosaur is.

Once the children have completed their “training” we will bring around our “newly discovered dinosaur fossils”. We have 6 of these, so there will be 2 per group. The children will then have to use their knowledge from the session to decide what the animal may have eaten, what size they think it might be, how many legs it had, if it walked or flew etc. and even give it a name! There’s no right or wrong answers here – just fun to watch their imaginations go!

Contact Dr Marwan Albuhtori via marwan.albuhtori@warwick.ac.uk, or Dr Christine Lockey at c.lockey.1@warwick.ac.uk to book your session.

25/09-01/07: Why Chemistry?

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:15:09 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

This lecture showcases the full breath of the Chemistry subject - which is usually very very different from what high-school student actually imagines!

From polymer science to computational chemistry, we want to tell students that Chemistry is not just "mixing colourful powders in glass jars" - there is so much more to it! We also discuss jobs opportunities that are available to a Chemistry graduate - again, these are not what students usually expect!

This is a perfect opportunity to inform KS5 students who are about to make the very difficult and important decision of whether and what to study at University. We can cater for very large groups as long as an adequate space is provided.

Please contact Gabriele Sosso at g.sosso@warwick.ac.uk to arrange a suitable date.

25/09-01/07: Ice, Ice, Baby!

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:14:04 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

This session is about ice, why it is such a difficult and important topic (even if it is part of our everyday experience) and what sort of research we do at Warwick about ice. It also involves the building of 3D plastic models of ice crystals - which sounds easier than it actually is!

From atmospheric science, to cryopreservation, there is a lot to learn about ice and this session offers the perfect opportunity to groups (10-30 students) of KS3-KS4 kids to do exactly that.

Please contact Gabriele Sosso at g.sosso@warwick.ac.uk to arrange a suitable date.

25/09-01/07: DNA Extraction From Your Own Cheek Cells

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:14:23 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

During the activity, students will learn about how the different traits that they have gained from their parents, such as eye colour, hair colour, facial characteristics are passed from each generation to the next, the answer being DNA. They will then learn about different features and properties of DNA.

The student will then have the opportunity to extract DNA from their own cells (cheek cells) and learn about how scientists work with DNA in many areas such as DNA fingerprinting at crime scenes, paternity testing and drug discovery.

The students will be using kitchen material and the 3 steps scientists use for all DNA extractions. Detergent, Enzymes, Alcohol.

At the end of the workshop they will have a sample of their own DNA to keep!

The maximum number of students we can accommodate is 30.

Contact Dr Marwan Albuhtori via marwan.albuhtori@warwick.ac.uk or Christine Lockey via c.lockey.1@warwick.ac.uk to book your session.

25/09-01/07: Digital Resources for Schools

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:15:40 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

During the pandemic many helpful digital resources were produced to help support schools and colleagues with their Information, Advice and Guidance support to their students. In the links below you will find free downloadable sessions, helpful CPD for teachers and content you can use in your lessons with your students.

Digital Resources for Schools (warwick.ac.uk)

Digital Activity (warwick.ac.uk)

25/09-01/07: Rumour Mill

Becks Andrew — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:20:37 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

In this event we explore probabilistic models in epidemiology. We will use the Binomial distribution to build complex models that explain how rumours (or infectious diseases) spread. We also discuss how to fit such models to data. The session will illustrate the process of mathematical and statistical modelling and thus gives an insight into the work of a mathematical epidemiologist.

Duration of workshop 45 min – 2 hours.

To arrange a session, please contact stats-wp@warwick.ac.uk.

Note: Events are subject to staff availability and priority is given to schools that are:

Local to Coventry and Warwick District
Have a high proportion of students who meet the targets set out in the Warwick Access and Participation Plan.Link opens in a new window

Further talks, workshops and other events offered by the Department of Statistics can be found on the Statistics Widening Participation and Outreach pages.

25/09-01/07: From Solar to Horsepower

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:18:41 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Did Yoda first propose the law of energy conservation, or is he just a cool green guy who’s surprisingly handy with a light sabre? KS2/KS3 pupils will learn the answer to this and so much more!

We will treat them to amazing facts, brain-teasing quiz questions and, best of all, light-operated remote control car races. All whilst learning all about the chemistry of solar power.

The session lasts typically around an hour and it is delivered by a member of the Chemistry Outreach team. We can cater for groups of 10-30 kids. Please contact Gabriele Sosso at g.sosso@warwick.ac.uk to arrange a suitable date.

25/09-01/07: WMG Outreach and Widening Participation Events and Activities

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:14:13 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

To view Outreach and Widening Participation events and activities offered by WMG, view their website here: Public engagement and Outreach (warwick.ac.uk)

25/09-01/07: Bespoke School Visit

Becks Andrew — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:20:55 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

For schools which are Widening Participation priority schools in the local area (Coventry and Warwick District), the Statistics department may offer school visits to deliver a talk or workshop on a topic in probability, statistics or data science. Example sessions are available on our WP and outreach webpages. On request and subject to availability, we may also be able to offer bespoke sessions on topics of interest tailored towards a specific student group.

To arrange a session, please contact stats-wp@warwick.ac.uk.

Note: Events are subject to staff availability.

25/09-01/07: Big Data and Coin Flipping: an Intro to University Mathematics

Becks Andrew — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:19:47 GMT

When: Mon, 25 Sept - Wed, 01 Jul '26

We will discuss studying mathematics at university, and give a flavour to what research in statistics looks like. We will see some fun illustrations of probability and statistics such as the Monty Hall problem, how this can be solved by simulation, and some puzzles related to generating arbitrary probabilities using a coin.

To arrange a session, please contact stats-wp@warwick.ac.uk.

Note: Events are subject to staff availability and priority is given to schools that are:

Local to Coventry and Warwickshire
Have a high proportion of students who meet the targets set out in the Warwick Access and Participation Plan.

10/11-01/07: Inspirational Engineering talks

Becks Andrew — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:00:54 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Unlock a world of inspiration with our online resources! Dive into cutting-edge research and empower your students with a passion for engineering. Join us in accessing this valuable resource to ignite curiosity and inspire the engineers of tomorrow!

10/11-01/07: Make Your Own Pet Bug

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:17:09 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Computer Science can help us understand things better, for example it allows us to simulate a variety of phenomena and conduct many experiments which would be impossible or too expensive to do in real life. In this workshop, we will explore how simulation techniques can be used to understand how micro-organisms survive in the natural environment---without the five senses that we use. We will be using p5.js, which is a simplified programming environment that uses JavaScript. We will only have to model some simplistic behaviour, but you will get to understand the approach behind many advanced computational tools. This can be run in schools if the school can provide devices with internet access to https://editor.p5js.org/. This can be run in the department of computer science. For events on campus we will supply lunch and refreshments. This can also be combined with a campus tour and an academic lecture on CS at University. To discuss this workshop, please email dcs-outreach@warwick.ac.uk

10/11-01/07: Engineering On-campus Visit

Becks Andrew — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:08:18 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Where: Warwick University Campus, Engineering Building

Our Engineering On-campus Visit program welcomes primary and secondary schools to visit our university, offering the chance to meet real-life engineers, engage in inspiring discussions, hands-on experiences, and explore the exciting world of engineering. Elevate your students' potential by scheduling your visit today!

Maximum 30 students per group to visit us.

To book, contact the School of Engineering at engineering_networks@warwick.ac.uk.

10/11-01/07: Robot Rescue

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:21:12 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Line following is commonly used in robot navigation. In this workshop, you will be programming a Lego Spike robot (programmed using either a block-based language like Scratch, or Python) to follow a line, detect an obstacle and rescue an object from danger. We have 15 Lego Spike robots so can accommodate up to 30 children working in pairs This can be run in schools if the school can provide 15 devices with USB connections and a Chrome web browser. We will also need a space to set up an environment for the robots to explore This can be run in the Department of Computer Science. For events on campus, we will supply lunch and refreshments. This can also be combined with a campus tour and an academic lecture on Computer Science at University.

To discuss this workshop, please email dcs-outreach@warwick.ac.uk

10/11-01/07: Vectors and Forces

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:21:21 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

This workshop introduces you to some of the basic principles and tools for simulating motion. We will be using p5js (a JavaScript library for creative coding, with a focus on making coding accessible and inclusive for artists, designers, educators, beginners, and anyone else!).

This can be run in schools if the school can provide devices with internet access to https://editor.p5js.org/. This can be run in the department of computer science. For events on campus we will supply lunch and refreshments. This can also be combined with a campus tour and an academic lecture on CS at University.

To discuss this workshop, please email dcs-outreach@warwick.ac.uk

10/11-01/07: Modelling using Cellular Automata

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:19:59 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Where: The Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL

Simulations are a fantastic way to gain intuitive understanding of complex systems. They are used to describe, understand, and predict a system’s behaviour. In this workshop we will look at how Cellular Automata can be used in simulation and model the spread of a disease. We will be using Jupyter notebooks (an open-source web application that you can use to create and share documents that contain live code (in Python), equations, visualizations, and text).

This can be run in the department of computer science. To discuss this workshop, please email dcs-outreach@warwick.ac.uk.

10/11-01/07: Let's Go Exploring

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:20:17 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Space robots have to navigate the surface of planets such as Mars and inform mission control when they find something interesting. In this workshop, you will be programming a Lego Spike robot (programmed using either a block-based language like Scratch, or Python) to explore the environment and announce when you find signs of water. We have 15 Lego Spike robots so can accommodate up to 30 children working in pairs This can be run in schools if the school can provide 15 devices with USB connections and a Chrome web browser. We will also need a space to set up an environment for the robots to explore This can be run in the Department of Computer Science. For events on campus, we will supply lunch and refreshments. This can also be combined with a campus tour and an academic lecture. To discuss this workshop, please email dcs-outreach@warwick.ac.uk

10/11-01/07: Computational Snowflakes

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:20:26 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

In this festive workshop we will explore object orientated programming by creating snowflakes in p5.js, a simplified programming environment that uses JavaScript. By the end of the workshop, you will create many snowflakes of assorted sizes falling at different speeds. This can be run in schools if the school can provide devices with internet access to https://editor.p5js.org/.

This can be run in the department of Computer Science. For events on campus we will supply lunch and refreshments. This can also be combined with a campus tour and an academic lecture on Computer Science at University.

To discuss this workshop, please email dcs-outreach@warwick.ac.uk

10/11-01/07: Particle Systems

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:16:59 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Particle systems can be used to model various irregular types of natural phenomena, such as fire, smoke, waterfalls, fog, grass, bubbles, and so on. In this workshop we will explore the basic principles and tools for simulating the motion of a particle and then look at doing this with lots of particles at the same time. This workshop will use object orientated programming and use p5js (a JavaScript library for creative coding, with a focus on making coding accessible and inclusive for artists, designers, educators, beginners, and anyone else!).

This can be run in schools if the school can provide devices with internet access to https://editor.p5js.org/.

10/11-01/07: Flocking

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:20:38 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Flocking is a group animal behaviour that is characteristic of many living creatures. In this workshop we will create a particle system that follows 3 simple rules to behave like a flock. We will be using object orientated programming and p5js (a JavaScript library for creative coding, with a focus on making coding accessible and inclusive for artists, designers, educators, beginners, and anyone else!).

Note this workshop builds on the Particle Systems Workshop and the two can be run together.

To discuss this workshop, please email dcs-outreach@warwick.ac.uk.

10/11-01/07: Text Generation with Markov Chains

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:20:47 GMT

When: Fri, 10 Nov - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Where: The Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL

In this workshop, students will work with text taken from sources such as Wikipedia articles, the words from novels, song lyrics, or a library of tweets to learn about Markov chains and how they can be used to generate original text that is in the same style as the input. We will be using Jupyter notebooks (an open-source web application that you can use to create and share documents that contain live code, equations, visualizations, and text) This will be run in the Department of Computer Science. For events on campus, we will supply lunch and refreshments. This can also be combined with a campus tour and an academic lecture on Computer Science at University. To discuss this workshop, please email dcs-outreach@warwick.ac.uk

05/08 2:34pm-01/07 12am: Data Explorers

Becks Andrew — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 13:21:54 GMT

When: 2:34pm, Mon, 05 Aug '24 - 12am, Wed, 01 Jul '26

Data are collected everywhere and whatever we do, from online shopping and video streaming to social media and the internet.

This interactive workshop gives a taster on how to explore data to extract meaningful patterns and make predictions.

Duration of workshop 45 min – 2 hours.

To arrange a session, please contact stats-wp@warwick.ac.uk.

Note: Events are subject to staff availability and priority is given to schools that are:

Local to Coventry and Warwick District
Have a high proportion of students who meet the targets set out in the Warwick Access and Participation Plan.Link opens in a new window

Further talks, workshops and other events offered by the Department of Statistics can be found on the Statistics Widening Participation and Outreach pages.

19/08 2:44pm-02/07 12am: Body Works

Becks Andrew — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 14:21:53 GMT

When: 2:44pm, Mon, 19 Aug '24 - 12am, Thu, 02 Jul '26

During the session there will be 4 group activity stations for the students to try out. A maximum of 30 students per 1h session. The activities are as follows:

2. Microscopes - looking at slides that contain tissues of different parts of the digestive system (stomach, oesophagus, intestine)

3. Put your insides in - we draw an outline around a child on a large piece of paper. Then as a team, children figure out where our internal organs belong. We talk about what each organ's job is, and which other organs it has to cooperate with.

4. Chewing to pooing - using weetabix, orange juice, a ziploc bag and 20-denier tights, we think about the journey that food takes between when it gets eaten and when it gets eliminated. This is a messy activity, and quite gross, but children generally love it!

Contact Dr Marwan Albuhtori via marwan.albuhtori@warwick.ac.uk, or Dr Christine Lockey at c.lockey.1@warwick.ac.uk to book your session. For more sessions offered by the School of Life Sciences, please visit the outreach webpage: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/lifesci/outreach/.

01/07-01/07: Warwick Medical School Work Experience

Becks Andrew — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 13:07:26 GMT

When: Tue, 01 Jul - Wed, 01 Jul '26

Our staff offer experimental laboratory work experiences placements every summer (in July and August) for secondary school students aged 16 and over. A range of short research projects in the areas of molecular biology, biochemistry and microbiology are available in the biomedical research laboratories based at Warwick Medical School.

To find out more about our lab-based work experience opportunities at Warwick Medical School labs for 16+ year olds, complete the form at https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/about/pe/workex/

11/08-11/08: Physics Work Experience

Becks Andrew — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 14:41:46 GMT

When: Mon, 11 Aug - Tue, 11 Aug '26

Where: Department of Physics - University of Warwick

The Department of Physics offers a small number of work experience placements in the Easter vacation each year for students in Years 10-12.

The work experience placement will provide you with a broad insight into physics and what it would be like to work in a busy university physics department. You will spend time with our highly skilled research and technical staff learning about real-life physics problems and working on exciting research projects.

24/11 3:54pm-01/11 5:30am: Prompt Engineering for Educators

Becks Andrew — Thu, 27 Nov 2025 12:00:05 GMT

When: 3:54pm, Mon, 24 Nov '25 - 5:30am, Sun, 01 Nov '26

Where: The Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL

Learn how to write effective prompts to support your teaching practice, such as preparing lessons and activities.

This activity takes about one hour.

Please contact Khalil.Challita@warwick.ac.uk for more details and to book.

24/11 3:58pm-01/11 5:35am: Cybersecurity for Educators & Learners

Becks Andrew — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:01:53 GMT

When: 3:58pm, Mon, 24 Nov '25 - 5:35am, Sun, 01 Nov '26

Where: The Department of Computer Science, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL

This lecture is for schoolteachers and has two objectives.

The first one is to provide ideas for educators to integrate cybersecurity concepts in their subjects.

The second one is to provide resources for pupils to learn about cybersecurity and practice their skills in a safe environment.

Note that it can be given to KS5 pupils. Please email khalil.challita@warwick.ac.uk for further details. This activity is about an hour in length.

22/12 10:41am-27/06 12am: XMaS Scientist Experience

Becks Andrew — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 10:45:46 GMT

When: 10:41am, Mon, 22 Dec '25 - 12am, Sat, 27 Jun '26

Where: Grenoble, France

Students will experience what life might be like as an international research scientist, visiting the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, to be shown around the beamlines by real-life female scientists, as well as taking part in the Synchrotron@School. (The trip is for Yr 12 female identifying students) Applications via the website; deadline: Midnight 27th February 2026