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:

• Public events (e.g. STEM fairs)

• School STEM Fairs

• 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)

 

Cheltenham Science Festival 5th and 6th June, Cheltenham

Where: Cheltenham Town Hall

What is it? A week-long STEM Festival at which we will be in the Discover Zone showcasing activities developed by Ambassadors at six Discover Materials partner universities as part of the Mapping Materials Science and Engineering project (funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering)

Nearest DM Partner universities: University of Birmingham

Previous event: Cheltenham Science Festival 2025 – Discover Materials – we have run workshops at Cheltenham Science Festival previously but not tabletop activities which we will be doing this year.

 

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)

 

IoP Physics Teachers Conference, Wednesday 1st July – Thursday 2nd July, Birmingham

Where: University of Birmingham

What is it? An exhibition stand at a two day teachers conference

Nearest DM Partner universities: University of Birmingham

 

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

 

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, Hammersmith

Where: St Pauls School, Hammersmith

Event opening times: 1100 – ~1800 (Day 1), 0900 – ~1800 (Day 2), 0900 – 1530 (Day 3)

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 topics in materials science.

Volunteers will help deliver sessions and mentor the attendees.

You do not have to volunteer for all three days.

Travel can be covered and accommodation and food is provided if needed.

Previous event: Magic of Materials Summer School

 

STEAM Fair – Tuesday 10th November 2026, Trowbridge

Where: County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN

Event opening times: 0900 – 1500 (TBC)

What is it? A one day STEM Festival for primary school groups.

 

Telford and Shropshire Manufacturing Festival, 24th November, Telford

Where: Telford United Football Stadium, Watling Street, Telford, TF1 2NW

Event timings: 1000 – 1500 (TBC)

What is it? A STEM careers fair aimed at secondary school pupils. We attended the West Midlands Manufacturing Festival in February and it was a fantastic event.

Nearest DM Partner university: University of Birmingham

 

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 is one at each DM Partner University) and contains ores, finished products and smart materials (with related stories) to take into primary or secondary schools.

• Watch the Introductory Session by Diane Aston: https://youtu.be/r87dy_T54wc

• 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