Museum After Dark: A night of STEM fun at National Museum Cardiff

The School of Engineering at Cardiff University, in collaboration with Amgueddfa Cymru, hosted their annual Museum After Dark event this February half term, offering a unique, family-friendly evening of hands-on STEM activities.

This free event, held at the National Museum Cardiff, drew around 1,200 visitors for a night of discovery and exploration.

Public Engagement Officer Debbie Syrop, who helped organise the event, commented: “It’s always rewarding to see so many families interacting with the exciting work happening at Cardiff University. This event highlights the positive difference that academic research has on our lives and helps make it accessible for all ages.”

For one night only, university and museum staff transformed the museum's galleries and learning spaces into interactive STEM hubs, giving local families the chance to meet engineers, scientists, and students while learning about the fascinating work they do.

Visitors were treated to a wide range of activities, showcasing the cutting-edge research and engineering projects taking place at Cardiff University. One of the highlights was a Tesla coil show in the Reardon Smith Theatre, presented by researchers from the university's lightning laboratory. The demonstration showcased sparks flying across the stage, giving visitors a clear illustration of the power of electricity.

Other activities included building sustainable transportation solutions with LEGO, exploring the connection between marble runs and quantum mechanics, and creating motors with the university’s MAGMA research group. Museum experts also offered visitors the chance to handle their collections and dive into the wonders of the natural world.

Engineering students were also on hand to present their innovative projects. Cardiff Racing showcased their Formula Student car and invited visitors to try their hand at a driving simulator. Mechatronics students displayed robots capable of detecting damage in railway lines and a camera mount that tracks star movement during night photography.

Visitors could also interact with a NAO bipedal humanoid robot, used by the School of Computer Science and Informatics to study human interaction, and explore the world of infra-red technology with cameras from the School of Physics and Astronomy. The School of Mathematics presented a variety of puzzles and games for visitors to engage with.

Feedback from attendees was positive, with many expressing enjoyment of the activities. One visitor commented, “Very good, five stars, fun!” while another said, “I really enjoyed myself today learning about so much.”

Parents noted the “great variety of activities” and the engagement they offered for a wide range of audiences. One younger visitor summed up the experience by stating, “Everything! I don’t want it to end!”

Professor Rhys Pullin, Director of Public Engagement, added: “As always, Museum After Dark provided a valuable opportunity for families to engage with STEM in an accessible and enjoyable way, sparking curiosity and helping to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists.”