About

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

About the Exhibition

The Summer Science Exhibition is a free festival showcasing the science shaping our future. It is a celebration of the cutting edge research being done right now across the UK and the researchers making that happen. Each year 21 exhibits are selected in a competitive process to exhibit their work during the exhibition in July.

The exhibition aims:

• Provide an opportunity for the public and school groups to meet and question scientists about the cutting-edge research they are undertaking and demonstrating.
• Inspire and enthuse visitors of all ages about the potential for science through hands-on interaction and participation. 
• Use the Royal Society’s status as the UK’s National Academy of Science to lead by example and champion excellence in public engagement.
• Enable UK scientists to showcase their research and gain public engagement experience in association with a leading advocator of scientific research and technology.
• Give young people the aspiration to be scientists. 
• Reach new audiences with science including families, young professionals and people looking for a great, free day out in London.

View a 360 video from the 2018 exhibition

What is the dress code during the exhibition week?

Comfortable clothes. Most exhibit teams choose to wear matching T-shirts with trousers/skirts, and comfortable shoes, so that they are distinct from the general public and other exhibit groups. Please note, Royal Society exhibition team wear red t-shirts during the week and we would strongly advise your team wears a different colour to avoid any confusion with visitors.

Exhibition dates

SET UP

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. 

BREAK DOWN

Note: all exhibit materials and exhibitors must be off site by 12pm on Monday 13 July. We will be unable to store items in the building after this point.

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 the lead exhibitors from the Summer Science Exhibition 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 2019 exhibition. 

Pre-registered school students 

• 1,518 students visited with 187 teachers
• 54% of schools came from outside of London
• 98% of teachers agreed that by attending the exhibition their students had gained a greater understanding of the relevance of science to the world around them
• 98% of students agreed that by attending the exhibition they learnt new scientific knowledge

Public visitors 

• 9,783 public visitors attended the exhibition
• The highest proportion of visitors were 13 - 17 years old, including school visitors, though there was a good spread across all age groups
• 48% of visitors were female compared to 41% male
• 93.1% rated the exhibition 'Excellent' or 'Good'
• 90% of visitors agreed or strongly agreed that they had 'learnt something new from the exhibition', and 81% said the exhibition gave them chance to discuss research with scientists. 

Visitors also gave us some qualitative feedback:

“Excellent afternoon. Everyone explained their work clearly, enthusiastically, and kept me totally fascinated - brilliant communicators”

“It is particularly good that you can approach every exhibit with no previous knowledge of that topic and be drawn in so that you move on with some understanding and ever greater curiosity. Thank you for providing a free event. This is an investment in our future”

“Thank you so much! The exhibitors were all friendly, knowledgeable and able to describe their projects so my 6 year old could understand complex concepts”

“I think the exhibition was incredible and such a great event for all ages. The details and effort put into every exhibit did not go unappreciated and all those running the exhibits were approachable, interesting and informative. Would definitely recommend to friends!”