Science Ceilidh

Science Ceilidh The Science Ceilidh is an award-winning educational organisation bringing people together with science and traditional music and arts.

We support cultural & knowledge democracy in Scotland through our Community Knowledge Matters network for community-led research, Curiosity In Action for interdisciplinary youthwork & the Culture & Wellbeing Community Network Scotland Our community programmes empowers participants from across Scotland - from exploring gaelic bilingualism & health, memory & music or creativity & wellbeing with rural communities across Scotland, New Scots in Edinburgh, young people with additional support needs, disadvantaged youth groups with our Curiosity Club and a long-term science residency with Leith Labs, to participate and share arts, science and culture together. Our education programme has inspired over 12,000 pupils in both primary and high schools, along with supporting teachers, to explore the cutting-edge interdisciplinary science behind music, creativity and learning and actively breaking stereotypes about Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths alongside Arts careers. As a band, we've had over 16,000 dancers up and moving at festivals, events and conferences all around the world - from simulating your immune system with the Dashing White Blood Cell to swinging your partner DNA base-pairs in the Orcadian-Strip-the-Helix or learning about light in the Fluorescence Fling - partnering with researchers to communicate their work in creative & accessible ways. We’re passionate about working with those who traditionally do not participate in science through barriers, lack of provision or starting conversations with those outwith the converted based on a relationship-focused approach, honest partnership working for sustainability and generous leadership to share our learnings, reflections and resources for wider impact.

How can dance and other physical movement make STEM topics more accessible and engaging? Our Director Lewis is excited t...
06/10/2026

How can dance and other physical movement make STEM topics more accessible and engaging?

Our Director Lewis is excited to be supporting the Leonardo/ISAST Leonardo LASER Talks series with colleagues including Dr Kiki Jenkins (School for the Future of Innovation in Society, Arizona State University, Sci Dance), Professor Jennifer Light (Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)) and Dr Emily Davis (Institute for Medical Humanities Durham University) in their upcoming talk Bodies of Knowledge on Thursday 8th October 6pm UK time//10am PDT.

LASER is a programme of international gatherings that bring artists, scientists, humanists and technologists together for informal presentations, performances and conversations with the wider public.

Tuesday’s LASER talk will explore how dance and other forms of physical activity can make STEM topics more accessible and engaging, and try out some of the activities firsthand. Topics explored will include using movement to explore conservation research, build empathy for endangered species, and shift environmental conversations from “doom and gloom” toward hope and collective action.

Designed for STEM professionals, artists, educators, students and any curious community members.

Find out more and sign up here:
leonardo.info/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1070

Looking for a STEM activity to try out with your youth group? A popular one that our Curiosity in Action programme parti...
06/10/2026

Looking for a STEM activity to try out with your youth group?

A popular one that our Curiosity in Action programme participants tried out was building constellations with marshmallows and cocktail sticks!

Simple, low budget, hands-on and very fun.

Young people can choose a constellation to recreate, learn more about the stories behind different constellations and even get creative and invent their own, complete with a name and story.

This is just one of many activities you’ll find in our free Curiosity in Action Toolkit, designed to help youth workers embed STEM into their sessions in accessible and creative ways.

The toolkit also includes session planning templates, evaluation tools and our learning from two years of Curiosity in Action.

Why not give it a go and let us know how you get on!

Explore the toolkit:
https://scienceceilidh.typeform.com/curiosity

LEAP Sports Scotland are looking for a Project Officer to lead their Out and About in the Highlands project!This is an i...
02/10/2026

LEAP Sports Scotland are looking for a Project Officer to lead their Out and About in the Highlands project!

This is an incredible project and role opportunity, supporting equity and wellbeing in the Highlands. It's great to see this important work developing further after our support alongside The Ideas Fund!

See the job application information pack and application form on their website: leapsports.org/about/recruitment

How can research led by communities support local action on climate change? In the spirit of Scotland’s Climate Week (28...
26/09/2026

How can research led by communities support local action on climate change?

In the spirit of Scotland’s Climate Week (28th September to 4th October) our next Community Knowledge Matters Community of Practice will focus on community-led research and climate action.

Join us to explore how communities are using research to build knowledge around local issues and support action to protect what matters to them.

There will be space to share projects, resources and opportunities, hear what others are working on, and connect with peers from across Scotland.

📅 Thursday 1st October, 2pm -3.30pm, Zoom.

Join the CKM network and mailing list to receive an invitation:
https://www.communityknowledgematters.com/new-events-1/community-of-practice-sept26

Photo Credit: Alexander Williamson

What does community ownership look like when we think beyond physical assets?Our very own Sophie Kendrick will be joinin...
25/09/2026

What does community ownership look like when we think beyond physical assets?

Our very own Sophie Kendrick will be joining Daniel Heery (Director of Cybermoor & Charge My Street) to lead a workshop on Data at the Community Energy Scotland Annual Members Conference 2026 in Glasgow on Tuesday 6th October.

Together they’ll explore how community-led approaches to collecting and using data can increase participation and build local confidence and agency. Sophie will be sharing learning from our Community Knowledge Matters mental health co-priority survey and Collective Voice as part of a partnership with Collaboration for Mental Wealth in Moray.

The session will also look at how communities can use their own data and stories to secure funding and influence policy.

It’s not too late to register for conference tickets, and join the conversation!

Get yours here:
eventbrite.co.uk/e/community-energy-scotland-annual-members-conference-2026-tickets-1994938037372

Read more about our data visualisation including giving the Collective Voice digital tool a go here:
https://www.communityknowledgematters.com/data-vis



Earthtime Moray Wellbeing Hub GREC Third Sector Interface Moray UK Research and Innovation The Young Foundation

Last year at our Community Knowledge Matters Gathering, we heard from Shannon Boston about OPEN's work in Shetland and t...
21/09/2026

Last year at our Community Knowledge Matters Gathering, we heard from Shannon Boston about OPEN's work in Shetland and their experiences of putting young people at the heart of research.

This Wednesday (23rd September from 1pm to 2pm), we’re continuing that conversation.

Shannon will be joined by Rhiannan Burns and Emma Coutts for our next Conversation Station, taking a deeper look at OPEN’s extensive experience in leading peer and youth-led research.

They’ll share their experiences delivering projects involving young people directly in research, the opportunities and challenges they’ve encountered, and what they’ve learned from turning peer research into meaningful action.

Join the network to receive an invitation, or register for this Conversation Station:
communityknowledgematters.com/new-events-1/conversation-with-open

📷 Photo Credit: Alexander Williamson

YouthLink Scotland
The Ideas Fund
Shetland Islands Council
UHI Shetland

What happens when young people get the chance to spend time with researchers?The Curiosity in Action programme paired yo...
18/09/2026

What happens when young people get the chance to spend time with researchers?

The Curiosity in Action programme paired youth groups with researchers over two years, giving them time to explore STEM together and build relationships along the way.

One young person described their researchers, Sarah and Loki, and the different science they brought to their sessions but what they remembered wasn't only the experiments:

“Sometimes we just laugh and they’re really kind and they help us.”

Creating those longer-term connections was an important part of Curiosity in Action, giving young people opportunities to get to know the people behind the science as well as explore the science itself.

Read more about what we learnt and access our free Curiosity in Action Toolkit:
scienceceilidh.typeform.com/curiosity

Thank you to everyone who joined our Curiosity in Communities Community of Practice last week! 🔬We were joined by people...
17/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined our Curiosity in Communities Community of Practice last week! 🔬

We were joined by people with a range of experiences across STEM and youth work for a fantastic conversation around our Curiosity in Action Toolkit and Final Impact Report.

Most importantly, the session gave us space to share experiences and ideas. We explored some of the challenges around co-developing programmes with young people, different approaches to evaluation including how we can capture outcomes such as confidence and relationship-building.

There was lots of useful discussion and some great resources shared too. Thank you to everyone who came along and contributed!

If you missed the session, you can still explore our free Curiosity in Action Toolkit and Final Impact Report here:

scienceceilidh.com/curiosityinaction

What can we learn from young people leading their own research? Join us for our next Conversation Station with OPEN, She...
16/09/2026

What can we learn from young people leading their own research?

Join us for our next Conversation Station with OPEN, Shetland’s first youth-led charity, on Wednesday 23 September at 1pm.

Shannon Boston, Rhiannan Burns and Emma Coutts will share OPEN’s journey and their experiences with peer and youth-led research. Come along to hear what they’ve learned about turning research into meaningful action, plus key insights from projects such as Shift Up, which connects young people directly with local change-makers.

Everyone is welcome to join, including current Community Knowledge Matters network members and anyone interested in community-led, peer or youth-led research.

Join the network to receive an invitation, or register for this Conversation Station:
www.communityknowledgematters.com/new-events-1/conversation-with-open

YouthLink Scotland The Ideas Fund Moray Wellbeing Hub Shetland Islands Council

Only 1 day to go until our Curiosity in Communities Community of Practice! 🔬 Join us online tomorrow, Tuesday 8th Septem...
09/09/2026

Only 1 day to go until our Curiosity in Communities Community of Practice! 🔬

Join us online tomorrow, Tuesday 8th September, 1pm to 2.30pm, as we bring together people interested in the role of STEM in youth work and Community Learning and Development.

We’ll be exploring our new Curiosity in Action Toolkit and Final Impact Report, sharing learning from the programme and creating space to connect and share useful resources.

If you work in CLD, youth work, science engagement or research, or are interested in how STEM can support youthwork outcomes, we’d love to see you there!

➡️ Book your free place via Eventbrite:
www.eventbrite.com/e/1993548327713

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