British Science Week: A Norwich Science Festival Round-Up

We’re probably a bit too British when it comes to shouting about our achievements as a nation sometimes! British Science Week is advocating for more awareness in the incredible science that happens in Britain, and making young people aware of all the exciting possibilities their future careers could hold.

It’s a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths that took place between 7th-16th March this year, 2025. Organised by the British Science Association, British Science Week advocates for smashing stereotypes when it comes to the diversity young people see in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine) roles, and broadening minds to help foster a love for science, innovation and the natural world. It also stands as a platform to stimulate and support teachers, STEMM professionals, science communicators and the general public to produce and participate in STEMM events and activities. Anyone can organise an event or activity, and the British Science Association helps organisers plan by providing free activity and support resources, just check out the details here.

Showcasing the best of Norfolk

At Hethel Innovation, our incubator sites are full of incredible businesses innovating in all sectors, especially STEMM. So, we thought it the perfect opportunity to showcase just a few of those innovations to the wonderful people of Norfolk, at this year’s Norwich Science Festival.

An epic annual festival of science and technology, Norwich Science Festival showcases the incredible research and innovation associated within our region, and offers visitors, of all ages, the opportunity to explore the many wonders of our world. With this year’s festival running from February 15th-22nd, the ‘Transform Tomorrow’ theme certainly gets us thinking about the future. The festival quotes “From our collective futures to the individual, from climate to technology, biodiversity to health and wellbeing – what does tomorrow hold for us? And how might we shape it, today? Norwich Science Festival invites everybody to be part of the change: from children asking why for the first time, to adults learning how. Science has always played a vital role in constructing our future.” With the festival gaining momentum every year that passes, 2025 saw over 9,000 tickets booked with thousands more attending the free activities scattered across the city of Norwich.

Drive to Survive

We took the wonderful opportunity to sponsor the Experiment Zone in the Explorium at The Forum, Norwich, and were joined by Hethel Engineering Centre member, Ansible Motion, to showcase just what it means to break the mould, with their DIL (Driver-in-the-loop) simulator. As quoted from Ansible Motion “The Theta series is Ansible Motion’s entry range of compact, stationary DIL simulators intended for virtual system integration and vehicle product development work. This range of simulators allows real people to connect and participate with real-time vehicle simulation environments in smaller spaces such as office environments.”

Attendees of all ages were able to learn about the fascinating engineering and technology involved in the piece of equipment and have the opportunity to give the simulator a go themselves. Sat in a realistic racing car seat, with centre console, dashboard and some of the same motion and sensory feedback you might find in the real thing, it offers a real-life experience of a track lap.