DM Ambassador volunteering opportunities
Here are the current in person volunteering opportunities as a Discover Materials Ambassador.
The types of volunteering opportunities have been divided as follows:
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Public events (e.g. STEM fairs)
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School STEM Fairs
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School visits
To register your interest in volunteering at any of these events then please let us know here * If you indicate that you can help then you will be set a calendar invite.
*This opens a MS Form in which the events will be shown after you put in your name and affiliation – so do not be alarmed that the events are not initially visible on the form!
Upcoming events:
Public events (incl teachers events)
The Festival of Tomorrow – Friday 20th and Saturday 21st February 2026, Swindon
Where: The Deanery, Peglar’s Way, Swindon, SN1 7DA
Probable event opening times: 1100 – 1700 (Friday), 1000 – 1700 (Saturday)
What is it? A two-day family friendly STEM fair with a wide range of audience members from toddlers to academics.
We will have a range of table top activities including our busking box and either the chocolate impact tester or tensile tester.
More information: The Festival of Tomorrow
Previous event: Discover Materials Ambassadors at the Festival of Tomorrow
West Midlands Manufacturing Festival – Thursday 26th February
Where: The Hawthorns, Halfords Lane, West Bromwich
What is it? A tone day school fair for 14 – 15 year olds school pupils.
We will have a range of table top activities including our busking box and chocolate impact tester.
More information: West Midlands Manufacturing Festival
Big Bang Fair 2026 – Tuesday 9th – Thursday 11th June, Birmingham
Where: National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham
Event opening times: 0900 – 1600 every day (TBC)
What is it? A big STEM Careers Fair for 9 – 13 year olds at which we will have a range of activities that showcase Materials Science and Engineering.
Nearest DM Partner universities: University of Birmingham
Previous visit: Big Bang 2024 – Geckos and beyond! – Discover Materials
Video of the 2025 event: Discover Materials at Big Bang 2025 (short version)
CoCoMAD Festival – Saturday 4th July 2026, Birmingham
Where: Cotteridge Park, Birmingham, B30 2HF
Event opening times: 1200 – 1700
What is it? Part of the free Cotteridge Music Arts and Dance Festival the Science Field attracts families to explore the wonders of STEM so if you want to try to enthuse budding materials scientists from a marquee in a park then this is the event for you.
Previous event: https://discovermaterials.co.uk/news/discover-materials-at-cocomad-2024/
School STEM festivals
STEM Festival (Primary Schools) – Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th February and Friday 27th February 2026, Worcester
Where: The Hive, Worcester, NG7 2TQ
Event opening times: TBC
What is it? Each day we will be running one or two workshops for 4-11 year olds using the IOM3 Discovery Box, chocolate impact tester and UV colour changing beads.
Reasonable travel expenses can be covered (ask about this before volunteering).
Nearest DM Partner university: University of Birmingham
West Midland Manufacturing Festival – Thursday 26th February 2026, West Bromwich
Where: NMC Venue, West Bromwich, B70 6PY
Event opening times: 0915 – 1530 (arrive from 0745)
What is it? A hands on STEM Festival for secondary school pupils.
More information: West Midlands Manufacturing Festival
Retford Oaks STEM Festival – Friday 13th March 2026, Retford
Where: Retford Oaks Academy, Retford, DN22 7BP
Event opening times: 0900 – 1430
What is it? A one-day STEM Careers Fair for 11 – 18 year olds at which we will use the IOM3 Discovery Box and other Discover Materials activities.
Reasonable travel expenses can be covered (ask about this before volunteering).
Nearest DM Partner university: Sheffield
Big Bang Fair at Leyton College – Tuesday 28th April 2026, Leyton
Where: Leyton Sixth Form College, Leyton, E10 6EQ
Event opening times: 1000 – 1530
What is it? A one-day STEM Careers Fair for 11 – 18 year olds at which we will use the IOM3 Discovery Box and other Discover Materials activities.
Reasonable travel expenses can be covered (ask about this before volunteering).
Nearest DM Partner universities: Imperial College London and QMUL
Previous visit: Big Bang Fair – Leyton Sixth Form College
Sci Fest – Friday 26th June 2026, Wolverhampton
Where: University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton
Event opening times: 0930 – 1630
What is it? 4 x one hour workshops for both school and home educated children
Reasonable travel expenses can be covered (ask about this before volunteering).
Nearest DM Partner university: University of Birmingham
Previous visit: SciFest 2025 – Discover Materials
Magic of Materials Summer School – Monday 6th July to Wednesday 8th July 2026 (TBC), Hammersmith
Where: St Pauls School, Hammersmith
Event opening times: 0900 – ~1800 each day
What is it? A three-day residential summer school for 14-15 year olds from across the UK that includes a series of lectures, workshops and team building events covering a wide range of topic sin materials science.
Volunteers will help deliver sessions and mentor the delegates.
You do not have to volunteer for all three days.
Travel can be covered and accommodation and food is provides if needed.
Previous event: Magic of Materials Summer School
School visits
Please contact your local Discover Materials Working Group Member about school visits – they may know if interested teachers or hep you find a school.
You could take in the IOM3 Discovery Box (there s one at each DM Partner University) and contains ores, finished products and smart materials (with related stories) to take into primary or secondary schools.
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Watch the Introductory Session by Diane Aston: https://youtu.be/r87dy_T54wc
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Contact your local DM Working Group Lead to take the box into a school.
Please note – travel can be covered for school visits – contact Chris Hamlett for more details.
To register your interest in volunteering at any of these events then please let us know here (this opens a MS Form*)
*this is the same form as outlined at the start of this page
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