The first UCL Faculty of Life Sciences (FLS) Science Fair welcomed hundreds of visitors to the Wilkins Building on Saturday 13 June, bringing cutting-edge research to life through accessible talks, hands-on activities and conversations with scientists.
The event took place during UCL’s 200th anniversary year, adding special significance to the celebration. As UCL marks two centuries of discovery, openness and public benefit, the Science Fair embodied the institution’s founding mission: to make knowledge accessible to all. The Fair offered London communities a chance to experience life sciences research first‑hand, reflecting UCL’s commitment to public engagement as it enters its third century of impact.
Under the theme “Where curiosity meets discovery”, the Fair brought together researchers, professional services staff and students from across the Faculty of Life Sciences to share the breadth of research taking place at UCL. From live zebrafish under the microscope to paper brain hats, virtual‑reality wasp environments and protein‑building bead activities, every stand offered something unique. A programme of talks spanned topics from wound healing and gut health to giant rodents, pharmacy history and antibody research.
While the Fair was overwhelmingly family-oriented, with children under 12 making up the largest crowd, interactive experiments like the “Pain Sensitivity” and “Muscle Function” stands drew in plenty of curious adults too. All attendees reported learning something completely new.
Adults praised the fair for being “super informative for the kids and very engaging”. Meanwhile, younger attendees plastered a feedback board with vibrant smiley face stickers and handwritten post-it notes exclaiming, “Best time EVER!” and “Scientists is the best!”
For the scientists running the booths and giving talks, the day was just as rewarding as it was for the visitors. Volunteers noted that seeing children use real lab equipment for the first time was incredibly fulfilling, with one future researcher even asking, “How long does it take to become a scientist?”
The Science Fair showed the power of bringing research to life, creating moments of curiosity, discovery and connection between scientists and communities. By giving the public a chance to ask questions, explore ideas and experience science first-hand, the event helped inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators, with the hope that the curious visitors may become tomorrow’s researchers.