British Science Week 2026
Curiosity-Themed STEM Workshops for Primary Schools & Nurseries
Linked to the 2026 BSW theme of 'Curiosity - What's your question?' our workshops, available in-person or online, strengthen pupils' grasp of core concepts while they take part in inspiring and engaging practical STEM challenges.
Explore our range of workshops linked to curiosity below, from our brand new Understanding AI workshops, to our tried and tested workshops developing curiosity in engineering and design.
“Having Inventors and Makers come in to our school has been an amazing experience.
​
They have been brilliant from the beginning with liaising with me - all my questions were answered really promptly and joint organisation before the workshops meant that they went off without a hitch.
​
On the day, the class leaders were incredible. All staff and children raved about the workshops and one of our staff said that it was the best workshop she had ever been to."
​
- Miss Moodley, Science Lead, Capel Manor Primary School
Workshop Themes & Content
Browse how our workshops link to the 2026 theme of
'Curiosity - What's your question?'
NEW: Understanding AI
For EYFS, KS1 & KS2, online or in-person
Can machines think?
EYFS: Rather than learn about AI, we start with the computing basics, learning about logic, sequencing and directional coding using offline practical activities, songs, movement and story.
​​
KS1 & KS2: We introduce what AI is and where it's used, looking at fun online examples safely as a class. We then learn about how AI works, covering mistakes and bias, before designing our own useful AI. ​​
When should we use a computer instead of our own brains?
​​
​​​Workshops:
Engineering & Structures
For EYFS, KS1 & KS2, online or in-person
Why don't tall towers topple over?
All age groups use engineering principles to complete hands-on challenges that get us building structures like towers and bridges.
​
KS1 & KS2: We learn about what keeps famous towers and bridges standing and meet some of the engineers behind them.
How do towers withstand earthquakes and why don't bridges sag in the middle?​
Space Engineering
For EYFS, KS1 & KS2, online or in-person
How do we get people into space?
EYFS: We go on an adventure to the Moon, exploring practical activities, songs, movement and a story.
​
KS1 & KS2: We learn about mankind's engineering journey into space over time as we track space travel from the science and engineering of the first blast off, through the engineering behind the Moon landings, and right up to recent robotic explorations of Mars (including Curiosity and Perseverance).​
​What's next in space travel?​
​​Workshops:
​Workshops:
Invention & Design
For KS1 & KS2, online or in-person
What would you invent?
KS1 & KS2: We learn about how inventions help us to solve problems. We also meet some famous (and not so famous) inventors.
​
Then, we use the design thinking process to create an invention that helps us solve a real problem ourselves!
​What problem do we really need to solve and what could we design to solve it? ​
Engineering & Machines
For EYFS, KS1 & KS2, online or in-person
How does stuff work?
We learn about engineering, machines and the six simple machines - the basics behind how most everyday things work.
​
We then build and investigate different machines including levers, pulleys, inclined planes and compound machines like winches, looking at how they all work and are used in our day-to-day life.​
​​What could you engineer using simple machines?​
​Workshops:
-
EYFS: Magnificent Machines
Engineering & The Environment
For EYFS, KS1 & KS2, online or in-person
How can we save our planet?
EYFS: We look at ways we can reduce, reuse and recycle to take care of our planet through practical STEM activities, songs, movement and a story.
​
KS1 & KS2: We learn about the impact of unsustainable energy on our planet and how engineers have designed new energy sources to help. We investigate and build sustainable energy sources like solar and wind turbines including gears.
How could we be even more sustainable in our energy production?​
Coding & Robotics
For KS1 & KS2, in-person only
How do robots know what to do?
We learn about coding and the function of different robots before building and programming our own.
​
In KS1 we write simple directional code to move robots and we can adapt this to reflect your pupils' previous experience and knowledge.
​
In KS2 we write code for different real world purposes such as creating a game or navigating a Moon Lander to solve a variety of problems.​​
​
*For safeguarding, we ask that for KS2 workshops, schools provide their own computers to use with our robotics equipment
Coding Unplugged
For EYFS, KS1 & KS2, online or in-person
How do computers understand us?
EYFS: We learn about logic, sequencing and directional coding using offline practical activities, songs, movement and story.
​
KS1 & KS2: We learn about communicating with codes through history from Roman cyphers to binary code that computers use to communicate, and UKS2 even extend to learning about how encryption works on our phones. ​​​
​What language do computers speak?​​
“Inventors & Makers was amazing from the very start of our communication. Everything was made very simple and clear and the whole process from booking to completion was very easy.
​
The teachers were able to simply click on their link and use the STEM workshop with their children in their own room.
​
The resources for the activities were easy to grab and low in cost and each activity was age appropriate.
​
The vocabulary used throughout was really clear and Laura was able to explain the concepts in very child friendly ways. It was great to have such an open ended challenge at the end for children.”
​
- Miss Field DT/Science Lead, Kirkheaton Primary School
“The imaginative activities were fabulous for introducing concepts, clarifying technical vocabulary and allowing children the opportunity to learn through discovery.
​
The children were engaged throughout and loved the sections about different engineers.
​
It was very helpful to be able to pause the video to ask their very curious questions and discuss further if needed.
​
They has lots of fun and they had many different opportunities for teambuilding and problem solving collaboratively with their friends.”
​
- Miss Field DT/Science Lead, Kirkheaton Primary School
.png)
