We’re in the middle of British Science Week 2025! It’s an annual event promoting science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) across the UK and, slightly contrary to its name it runs for ten days, which this year is from the 7th to the 16th March.

The event aims to promote science and STEM, by motivating people of all ages to get involved in STEM activities and encouraging the next generation into science careers. British Science Week began in 1994 and so this is the thirty-first year, and for this year the theme of the week is ‘Change and adapt’!

Change and adaptation are all around us, and plays a huge part in every area of STEM. They’re also at the heart of human behaviour, as people change their lifestyles to adapt to things happening around them – whether this is reducing consumption of resources to limit climate change, or improving recycling rates. It also happens in space, as stars and celestial bodies gain and lose mass.

Another important element is the way in which scientists are perceived. In the Covid crisis, science came to the fore with the development of the vaccines, which helped save lives and turn the tide of the pandemic. New technology and ideas are being tested to help reduce climate change and improve the use of renewable technology. Even today in the United States, the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) is reportedly staffed by people with strong STEM skills.

STEM skills are going to be critical for the future, and we need the next generation of scientists to get involved, develop careers in these fields, and help change the world. There are lots of ways you can get involved with British Science Week:

Download Activity Packs

There are a variety of downloadable activity packs available from the website to support this year’s theme, including:

• Early Years Activity pack for children under 5.
• Primary Activity Pack for children aged 5 to 11.
• Secondary Activity Pack for children aged 11 – 14.
• Community Activity Pack for community groups or families.

There are lots of interesting and exciting activities within the packs to promote science and STEM skills.

Schools Poster Competition

There is a poster competition for early years and younger primary children, which should be linked to the theme of ‘Change and Adapt’ – the posters will be judged for how well they communicate the theme, provide clear and accurate information, and have creativity! So this competition adds to Art to STEM, giving the acronym of STEAM!

There is also a competition for older children, to produce a poster demonstrating a new idea or invention to improve the health of the air in our buildings. Choose an indoor public space you know well and come up with an idea to make the air in that space healthier and cleaner. Produce a poster demonstrating your idea and submit it!

Attending Events

There are also events taking place across the country and you can find out more here.

One event that caught our attention, obviously given the location and topic, is from the Ocean Conservation Trust who have a new show at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth to explore the physical and chemical changes in the ocean. It is for schools, but if you are not close to Plymouth then they have some free resources available to download. These cover:

• Water density and salinity
• Ice melt and sea level rise
• Light refraction and pressure
• Ocean currents
• pH levels and their effect on marine life

Summary

This is an exciting week for science, and it is so important to promote the subject and STEM to the next generation as they are ones that will change the world. Whatever you’re doing this week, try to include some science!