Sidmouth Science Festival has launched its 2025 programme, offering a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) from Friday 10 to Sunday 19 October. With events designed for all ages, the festival’s mission is to spark curiosity, inspire discovery, and show how science plays a vital role in our everyday lives.
Now in its fourteenth year, the festival brings together family-friendly events, talks, hands-on activities, art, song, visits and experiments taking place in venues across Sidmouth. Thanks to the support of generous sponsors, most events are free of charge.
Festival Marketing Co-ordinator, Sheila Meades, said:
“We are delighted to share this year’s programme, which is packed with opportunities to learn, explore and have fun. From hands-on activities to thought-provoking discussions, our aim is to make science accessible and enjoyable for all participants.”
Highlights of the 2025 Festival include:
- Marine Life Communication (10 October) An evening exploring how the sounds of the sea and marine environments can be understood and shared through science and art.
- Super Science Saturday (11 October) A free family day full of hands-on activities for all ages, plus the Geology Hub with talks and information stands exploring fossils, rocks and the stories they tell about our planet.
- The Future of Ageing (12 October) A themed session of talks examining the challenges and opportunities of ageing in the 21st century.
- Sports Engineering (14 October) A fascinating talk exploring the world of cutting-edge sports engineering, touching on a range of sports including rugby, snowboarding, running, football, and tennis.
- Cybersecurity (14 October) A special series of talks focused on digital safety, cyber threats and the technologies designed to protect us.
- Dobble Showdown (18 October) New for 2025, this lively event will test observational skills and reflexes with fun meeting research in this high-speed game. (Booking advised)
- Robot Day (18 October) Packed with hands-on fun, robots and remote-control challenges.
- Talks and discussions Taking place throughout the week and covering a wide variety of topics from health and hedgelaying to perfumery and Leonardo da Vinci, alongside the ever-popular Science in the Pub.
- Children’s Art Local schoolchildren will showcase their creative interpretations of the theme Underwater Wonders in a special exhibition at Kennaway House.
- Observatory Day (19 October): The festival will end on a high with this family-friendly finale at the Norman Lockyer Observatory. Visitors can build and launch rockets, explore the historic telescopes, enjoy planetarium shows, race jet cars, experience the interactive Adventures in the Chemistry Lab show and join storytelling sessions – a spectacular conclusion to the festival. (Under 18s free, adults £15.)
Events take place at venues across Sidmouth, with a mix of drop-in activities and pre-booked sessions. The full programme is available online where places can be booked if required. The programme is also available in print with copies in Tourist Information Centres, libraries and local outlets.
Thanks to generous sponsorship, most events are free of charge or there is a small entry fee. Donations are welcome to cover all costs and sustain the festival for the future and can be made on the day or via the website.