STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & design, and Maths. STEAM is everywhere – from the food we eat, to how we travel, to how we live. It is key to producing music, architecture, cosmetics, vehicles – in fact anything!

In the STEAM Zone, you will find workshops galore delivered in partnership with Blackburn College. This super family friendly area will get your hands working and your mind whirring.

You can expect:

Race 3D-printed sailboats along water-filled rain gutters. You’ll design, cut and tape your own sails, then put them to the test. Explore how aerodynamics and fluid dynamics work together as you adjust your sail to catch the most wind and glide to victory.

Using 3D-printed parts, you’ll assemble your own wind-up car by following simple, step-by-step instructions.Discover how gears, tension, and mechanical energy work together as your car races forward, powered entirely by a wind-up spring mechanism. Sunday only, Age 12+

Discover how electronics work with Rapid Mini-Light Project Kits. These kits let you build your own LED keyring light step-by-step.

Inspired by a College trip to Bali, colour and fold a paper pot decorated with balinese flowers, before combining clay, compost, water and seeds to create a seed ball of wildflowers. Take them home and watch them grow!

Create your own fidget spinner! You’ll understand how gears work and get hands-on practice putting parts together. Saturday Only

Learn some basic pipe-fitting skills and create your very own copper spanner! This activity will be sign-up on the day – head to the STEAM zone to put your name down for a slot.

Try out carpentry and joinery and make a mini-model plane, assembled from a pre-cut wooden template and glued into place.  This activity will be sign-up on the day – head to the STEAM zone to put your name down for a slot.

Interested in racing, vehicles or green energy? Sit in the Electric, green power vehicle and have-a-go at a racing simulation on a PlayStation.

That’s not all – you’ll also find coaster weaving, digital coding and machinery demonstrations!

Please note, this is a very popular area of the Festival. To control capacity there might be a queue for this area at times, and some workshops may have sign-up slots on the day.