University of Wolverhampton welcomes over 1,000 students to annual SciFest 

The University of Wolverhampton recently hosted its annual science festival, SciFest, welcoming more than 1,000 school students from across the region. 

Held on Friday 27 June at the University’s City Campus in Wolverhampton, SciFest, now in its 13th year, invited visitors to explore the world of STEM through a range of free workshops, interactive science shows, hands-on experiments, games, and drop-in activities, all designed to bring science, technology, engineering and maths to life. 

University staff from all faculties, including those in the creative industries and healthcare, showcased a wide range of STEM-related topics, from mathematics and biomedical science to pharmacy, forensic science, and life sciences. 

Dr Martin Khechara, Associate Professor for Engagement in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) at the University, said: “This is our annual event of all things STEM. Where we take people from schools all across our region to come and engage with businesses, academics, see fantastic science shows and experience science, technology, engineering and maths. 

“SciFest is really important for students because it could be that first spark of interest that later grows into a degree or a career. It shows people that university is for everyone, no matter who you are or where you come from.” 

Exhibitors included representatives from Barclays, Veolia, Syensqo, Eurofins Scientific, Game Changer, Will Marler, Discover Materials, Twycross Zoo, Jon Wood Science, ZooLab, St John Ambulance, Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Institute of Physics, West Midlands Police Forensics, West Midlands Regional Cyber Crime Unit, and RAF Museum Midlands. 

After a day packed with educational activities for students, SciFest continued into the evening at the University’s Arena Theatre with an adults-only event featuring science, technology, live music, interactive art, and comedy from Simon Watt, Foxdog Studios, and Ria Lina.