To mark the start of British Science Week, The University of Manchester’s Faculty of Science and Engineering is bringing FunLab, a free, fun-filled weekend of hands-on science activities, to the Trafford Centre on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March.

The event is free and designed to inspire curiosity and confidence in science and engineering among children, families and the wider community to show the diversity of the subjects and those that study and research them. Across the weekend, visitors can experience interactive zones led by our staff and students.

Event highlights:

Dinosaur Zone – Outside Vodafone

• See our Gorgosaurus, one of the most complete and best-preserved tyrannosaur skeletons found to date and a close relative of the famous T. Rex
• Chat to palaeontologists and handle real fossils, including a giant shark tooth and mammoth tusk
• Play interactive dinosaur games and design your own “monster” creature

Robot Zone – Main Dome & Orient Way

• Meet our amazing Robot Dog, who can walk, jump and sit and explore how these robots work to protect humans
• Watch robot demonstrations
• Try programming a robot yourself

The Orient – Flight Simulator & Experimental Zone

• Test your skills in the flight simulator (ages 7+) and explore how aircraft design, weather and environments affect flight
• Hands-on chemistry experiments, interactive science games and sensory physics activities
• Plus much more across multiple activity stalls

The event supports our commitment to engaging and inspiring local communities, widening participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, and showcasing the real-world impact of our research.

• Visit the FunLab website to learn more about each activity on offer over the weekend!