Flagship exhibits

Social connection, creativity, and optimism could be key to maintaining good brain health, wellbeing, and independence as we age. Meet the team using science to create practical, personalised guidance to help people mitigate risks relating to ageing such as dementia, depression, and loss of independence, and use their Successful Ageing Tool to explore how small life changes could directly impact how you age.

The ordinary matter we see—stars, galaxies, planets, and even ourselves—makes up only 5% of the Universe. The rest is mysterious dark matter and dark energy, invisible and largely unexplained by current physics. Join the team on an ambitious mission to map one third of the sky in unprecedented detail with the Euclid space telescope. Acting as cosmic detectives, they are searching for clues to unravel the secrets of our “dark Universe.” Step into their quest and help hunt for the hidden matter that shapes our cosmos.

From the smooth melt of ice cream in your mouth to the fizz of a bath bomb, the way everyday products are formulated shapes how they look, feel and behave. Discover the science behind these familiar sensations with researchers from the Centre for Doctoral Training in Formulation Engineering. Journey through 25 years of innovative work revealing how the products you use day-to-day get from the lab to your home. Learn how the microstructure of instant coffee affects how it dissolves, and explore how your sense of sight, sound and touch all contribute to interpreting how ‘clean’ something is.

Robots will transform the way we build, recycle and manufacture in future. But even tasks that seem simple for humans require the ability to sense, plan and perform actions in the physical world that are among the major challenges for today’s AI and robotics. Meet the leading researchers at the Oxford Robotics Institute, test your building skills with Frank the Robot, and explore ways of making more human-like robot problem solvers.

Natural history museums around the world hold millions of specimens essential for understanding the history and diversity of life on Earth. Yet physical specimens are fragile, and over time, can degrade and eventually be lost. Meet the scientists immortalising museum collections using 3D imaging technology, digitally unlocking hidden science and addressing biological questions previously thought impossible to answer. From reconstructing extinct organisms to running virtual experiments, discover how these new tools will allow researchers and the public unprecedented access to specimens normally behind glass.

Laser-driven radiotherapy has the potential to make cancer treatment more efficient and accessible, and reduce complications. Cancer is the most common cause of death in the UK; and its incidence is increasing. Today, radiotherapy is used in 50% of cases and is instrumental in 40% of cures. Meet the researchers from the LhARA team and learn about how laser beams can advance science and change the lives of cancer patients.

Complex communities of tiny microbes live all around us and even in our bodies. The Microbe Zoo is a chance to meet microbiologists working at Norwich Research Park and shrink down to microscopic scale, travelling through the soil, the human gut and rivers. Learn how microbes help keep us and the environment healthy, and what can happen when these communities get out of balance.

Nanoparticles may be invisible to the naked eye, but they’re revolutionising healthcare. Discover how these tiny materials are becoming powerful tools in diagnosis, imaging and treatment with scientists from UCL. Explore how nanoparticles generate the characteristic coloured lines seen in diagnostic tools such as the lateral flow tests used for Covid, operate a portable flow reactor, and view cancer fighting nanoparticles through an infrared camera to reveal how their research is helping address real-world healthcare challenges.

The telescopes at the Simons Observatory are seeking answers to our biggest cosmic questions, from how the universe was formed to what its constituents are today. Cosmic microwave background is radiation that filled the Universe during it’s infancy 13.8 billion years ago, but has been stretched by the expansion of the Universe into microwaves that we receive from all directions but are invisible to our eyes. Come along and see how the Simons Observatory is using this ancient radiation to unveil the secrets of the universe today.

Granular science shapes our world. From skyscraper construction and natural landslides to precise medical doses, and even soup croutons, granular materials are everywhere. Yet, they remain tricky to understand, shifting unpredictably between solid and liquid states. Join us at the Shifting Sands Summer Science spectacular to explore how mastering the physics of grains makes transport safer, manufacturing more efficient, industrial processes more sustainable, and natural disasters easier to predict.

Supercomputers play a vital role in tackling major global challenges, including cutting carbon emissions and advancing climate research. But operating these powerful machines comes with its own environmental cost, including high demands for energy, cooling, and water. At EPCC, home of the UK’s national supercomputer, researchers are working to change that. Discover how they’re designing more sustainable systems by reducing water use, improving energy efficiency, and capturing excess heat for reuse, helping ensure that the benefits of supercomputing outweigh its environmental impact.

Lightning is one of nature's most destructive and unpredictable forces, with over 3 million lightning strikes hitting the Earth every day. But do we know if lightning occurs on other planets? What happens when an aeroplane gets struck by lightning? What percentage of wildfires are caused by lightning? How is the UK's electrical grid protected from lightning strikes? Join scientists from the Lightning Laboratory at Cardiff University to explore these questions and discover why lightning behaves the way it does.

Cosmologists are using some of the largest supercomputer simulations ever created to recreate how galaxies form and to deepen our understanding of how the universe began. At the Universe makers exhibit, visitors can take an interactive look at how scientists model our universe on this extraordinary scale. Run your own simulations of the cosmos, flying past stars, galaxies, black holes, planets and moons, and see how the mysterious entities making up our cosmos - dark matter and dark energy - shape the rich diversity of structures we observe today.

The Young Researcher Zone, open from Wednesday to Friday 1-3 July, showcases investigative work being undertaken by school and college students across the UK as part of the Royal Society’s Partnership Grants scheme. Visit the Zone to speak with the students about their work and try the exciting interactive activities they have created.

The Partnership Grants scheme funds schools up to £3000 to run investigative STEM projects in partnership with STEM professionals from academia or industry. To find out more visit the Royal Society website or email the Schools Engagement team at education@royalsociety.org.