National Space Centre Expands Educational Reach at one of the UK’s Largest Science Festivals

The Centre’s Discovery team bring the wonders of the Universe to life at Cheltenham Science Festival.

The National Space Centre is set to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers. Director of the Discovery team, Charlotte Isham and Space Expert, Dhara Patel, delivered an interactive science theatre show at one of the UK’s largest science festivals and hope to continue taking the show around the UK.

Designed for schools and families, the immersive live show at Cheltenham Science Festival presented on 3 June took audiences on a tour through the inner and outer planets, moons and distant galaxies, combining hands-on demonstrations, explosive chemical reactions and dramatic dry ice experiments to bring the wonders of the Universe to life.

The presentation expanded on themes explored in Charlotte and Dhara’s debut book, Space Tour, released in October 2025, while also serving as a launchpad for their forthcoming second title, the Space Travellers Handbook, due for release in October 2026. The Space Tour book can be purchased online here.

As the UK space sector continues to grow, the National Space Centre’s presence at Cheltenham Science Festival reflects its wider mission to position Leicester as a leading hub for both historic and future-facing space discovery.
From groundbreaking missions such as the Artemis program – widely regarded as one of the most exciting developments in modern space exploration – to Leicester’s ongoing contributions to international space science through projects including BepiColombo and SMILE, the Centre aims to connect audiences with the real-world discoveries shaping the future of space.

Speaking ahead of the event, Dhara Patel, Space Expert at the National Space Centre said: “Cheltenham Science Festival is an incredible opportunity for us to connect with young audiences and show that space is not so distant, and that Leicester is playing a leading role in exploring it. From global missions to groundbreaking work happening here in the city, we want to inspire curiosity and ambition in the next generation of space scientists, engineers and explorers.”
Charlotte Isham, NSC Discovery Director added: “Space has a unique ability to capture imaginations, and we wanted to create an experience that feels as exciting and adventurous as the Universe itself. We’re taking people on a journey across the Universe while bringing the science behind space exploration to life in a fun and accessible way.”

The interactive sessions blended science, storytelling and live demonstrations to create an out-of-this-world experience for young audiences, encouraging curiosity about STEM subjects and the possibilities of careers in the UK space industry.

The National Space Centre continues to play a key role in making space science engaging and accessible to all audiences through education, outreach and public events across the UK.