About

Jump to:

• Evaluation of the Exhibition
• List of exhibits
• Audiences
• What else is going on at the exhibition?
• Soirees

About the Exhibition

The Summer Science Exhibition is a free festival of the science shaping our future. It is a celebration of the cutting edge science being done right now across the UK and the researchers making that happen. Each year 22 exhibits are selected in a competitive process to exhibit their work in July.

The exhibition aims:

• For visitors to meet and question real researchers, engaging in a two way dialogue where both parties take something away
• For visitors to engage with the key messages of the exhibit in a hands on, interactive way
• To reach new audiences who may not be currently engaged with the science
• To allow researchers to showcase their research, gaining public engagement experience and the tools to reuse their exhibit
• To interest school and college students in science and STEM careers
• To share the exhibition with those unable to attend in person

Exhibition Dates

EXHIBITION

Please note that the timings listed below are the public opening hours for the exhibition. During the exhibition, exhibitors are allowed to be on site 1 hour before the exhibition opens and remain behind for no more than 30 minutes after the exhibition closes to the public. 

The timings during which exhibitors themselves are allowed to be on site during set up and break down are listed separately.

BREAK DOWN

Note: all exhibit materials and exhibitors must be off site by 12pm on Monday 9 July. 

List of exhibits

Evaluation of the Exhibition

The Royal Society evaluates the exhibition in two ways, from the perspective of the public and from the perspective of the researcher. 

All Summer Science Exhibition research team volunteers will be asked to fill in a survey covering the below areas, which help us understand motivations for being involved in the exhibition and how we can better support public engagement in institutions. 

• Career stage
• Public Engagement experience
• Experience at the exhibition including impact

Public visitors are asked to complete a questionnaire on leaving the exhibition. An evaluation report, based on the findings of this survey is circulated to exhibitors in the months following the exhibition. The survey questions will cover the following areas. 

• Visitors' overall enjoyment of the Exhibition and whether they would recommend the exhibition to a friend or colleague. 
• Have visitors’ perspectives on science been changed? If so, how? 
• Demographic data 
• Diversity data

A separate survey is filled in by pre-registered school groups and covers questions linked to science as a career and perception of scientists.

Audiences

Visitor statistics (%) are taken from completed visitor questionnaires from the 2017 exhibition. 

Pre-registered school students 

• 2002 students visited with 262 teachers
• Of the schools that had registered to attend 44% had not attended previously and 22% were independent schools
• 97% of teachers agreed that by attending the Summer Science Exhibition they had gained more scientific knowledge
• 79% agreed that by attending the Summer Science Exhibition they had some ideas for new lesson content
• 86% of students had been inspired to consider the importance of their science education
• 96% of students had a greater understanding of science in the world around them

• 10,123 public visitors attended the exhibition
• The highest proportion of visitors were 13 - 25 years old, including school visitors, though there was a good spread across all age groups.
• There was an even gender split amongst visitors
• 33.1% of visitors reported that they had visited before
• 92.9% would visit again
• 94.3% would recommend the Summer Science Exhibition to a frien

The exhibition increased the majority of visitors’ interest in science, and 94% learnt something new. Visitors were asked to what extent they agreed with the following statements:

• The exhibition increased my interest in science: 84% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed
• The exhibition gave me the chance to discuss research with scientists: 89% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed
• I learnt something new from the exhibition: 94% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed
• I learnt something about scientific careers: 53% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed
• The exhibition increased my understanding of how science impacts our daily lives: 82% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed
• The event is well organised: 90% of respondents strongly agreed or agreed

Visitors also gave us some qualitative feedback:

“It was fantastic and wonderful exhibition and I've learnt a great deal and feel very inspired. Thank you to everyone”

“I found it very interesting and informative indeed. I am only sorry I live at such a distance I'd love to have several visits.”

“Great to experience the enthusiasm of the scientists at all stages of their careers. Make it bigger!”

“I certainly found the exhibition most interesting and was able to see virtually all the displays without queueing, which was a pleasant surprise!”