Dorchester Science Festival 2025

We’re back this year with an exciting programme of events over 10 days aimed to inspire the budding scientist in you!

The Dorchester Science Festival is programmed as part of the national British Science Week to celebrate science, technology, engineering and maths. Activities will be hosted by a range of partner organisations across the town and include something for all the family!

Head to the Dorchester Science Festival Facebook or Instagram for more information.

Following the huge success of last year, Family Science Day returns to Dorset Museum on the 16th March 2024 from 11am-1pm & 2pm-4pm. We’ve got over 20 stalls with a great range of hands-on activities and investigations hosted by local scientists. This year over half of the stalls are new, with some firm favourites returning as well. The day is sure to bring out the Marie Curie or the Albert Einstein in you with fun for all the family!

You will have the opportunity to; learn about forensics and fingerprinting, discover how to use wildlife tracking equipment, uncover the fascinating world of elephants, and use virtual reality to check out how good you are at recognising faces in a crowd! And much more!

Family Science Day is for ages 4 to infinity, with something for people of all ages to enjoy. Entry is FREE, booking is essential – get your tickets here!

If tickets are sold out before you are able to book one, do feel free to turn up on the day, either at 11am or 2pm to see if we have had any last-minute cancellations.

The event is being organised by Dorchester Town Council, Bournemouth University, and is hosted by the Dorset Museum & Art Gallery, with sponsorship from the Royal Society of Biology, the Institute of Physics, Dorchester Town Council and Market Cross UK Ltd.

This year, Dorchester Science Festival will be hosting a FREE Sensory Safe Science Day at Borough Gardens House. Taking place on Saturday 15th March, the day will feature two drop-in sessions from 10.30am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3.30pm.

Sessions will offer interactive science activities, especially aimed at children who are neurodivergent or who might prefer a quieter environment.

Come and practise some hands-on physics experiments which you can try at home, and learn about the Moon and Mars through history with fun facts and games. You will also have the opportunity to meet and handle some incredible invertebrate creatures with the Critter Clan.

No need to book, please note that, depending on demand, you may need to wait a short time before entry – but can take advantage of the Borough Gardens Park.

The 2025 programme includes…

• A pathology session at Dorset County Hospital
• Science-themed crafts
• Investigations into the fascinating world of pond life
• Looking at the legacy of female scientists for #IWD2025
• Kitchen science experiments
• STEM Lego sessions
• Astrophotography, looking at how we are capturing the cosmos and advancing science
• Lots of rhymetime, science & fun!
• A look moths, pond-dipping, fungi and lichens
• Coding workshops
• An educational day out at the river with scientists!
• Outdoor interactive astronomy walk
• Interactive theatre & science shows

This year Dorchester Science Festival is also hosting the Starlight STEM Planetarium at the Town Hall. The immersive 45-minute show will transport you into the heart of the night sky, where you can explore the Solar System, dazzling stars, mesmerising galaxies, and the mysteries of the universe!