Department set to light up curiosity at CamFest

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) is set to spark another wave of curious young minds at this year's Cambridge Festival, with 11 hands-on activities.

From playful experiments to interactive demonstrations, there will be something for every budding scientist to explore with activities designed to inspire creativity and wonder in children of all ages. The department will open its doors at 10am until 2pm.

A new addition to this year’s festival is the first-ever Cambridge West trail map. Nine departments on the Cambridge West site, including CEB, are coming together to guide visitors around the campus, with each stop offering a chance to collect a star-shaped stamp. Families can explore all the sites, turning the day into a hands-on science adventure while spotting discoveries across the festival.

Prof Sam Stranks, one of the world’s leading researchers in emerging solar technologies, knows how important it is to show children what’s possible and what a sustainable future could hold.

“Children are being taught about climate change but they are not being told that there are potential technology solutions,” he said. “We need to show our kids that there is a lot of hope.”

Families will be able to put this into practice by building their own berry-powered solar cells in a simple, hands-on demonstration that turns sunlight into electricity.

Prof Ljiljana Fruk, whose work at the smallest scales of nanomedicine is transforming healthcare, will also be taking part. Reflecting on the spark of curiosity that shaped her own path, she said: “I am hoping that, through talking about our research, and using stories to make the science accessible – just as my teachers once did for me – we can reignite that spark of curiosity. And produce some good old dopamine in the process.” Her session, The future of nanomedicine, will explore how medicine and engineering come together at the nanoscale to detect disease, repair damage, and restore health. Her talk will be aimed at teenagers and adults.

Other activities planned on the day:

• Build a buzzing ‘brain-gut’ circuit – The Biotechnology Systems Technology (BEST) research group will show how the gut talks to the brain with lights, sounds, and simple electronic circuits.
• Green ammonia for the future – The Catalysis and Process Integration (CaPI) research group will demonstrate the explosive power of hydrogen and how ammonia could store clean energy.
• Detectives with colour – The Sensor Centre for Doctoral Training MRes students will reveal secrets hidden in everyday liquids using student-built spectrometers.
• Suit up for science – The BioNano Engineering group (Fruk Lab) will invite visitors into a mock clean room to turn pencil drawings into live circuits.
• Tomorrow’s World in the making – The Fruk Lab will also reimagine today’s Cambridge research as the discoveries of 2125.
• Make your own berry solar cell – Visitors will join the Optoelectronic Materials and Device Spectroscopy Group (StranksLab) team to turn sunlight into electricity with a simple DIY solar cell.
• Geraldine the Elephant and the science of foam – The Fruk Lab will lead playful chemistry experiments with the lab’s larger-than-life mascot.
• The art of eco-conscious colour – Artist-in-residence Diana Scarborough’s exhibition will combine sound, film, and prints to show how bacteria and natural pigments can create sustainable colour.
• Build with DNA – The DNA Nanotechnology (Di Michele Lab) research group will offer oversized DNA puzzles and colourful friendship bracelets to explore the building blocks of life.

So, if you haven't yet secured your place at CamFest 2026, book your ticket and avoid missing out.