As the 2026 British Science Festival in Southampton approaches, we’re pleased to announce the three projects that we are funding through our annual community grant scheme. Each year, the British Science Association provides grants to community groups and organisations in the host Festival city that work directly with audiences who are traditionally underrepresented in, or face barriers to engaging with, science.

Through the scheme, we support local organisations to develop and deliver their own science activities as part of the British Science Festival, helping more people discover science in their everyday lives.

This year, we’re working with community organisations across the Southampton City Region to support new audiences to connect with science and its relevance to their lives. Alongside this funding, each organisation has been paired with an expert mentor to share insights and guidance as they develop their projects.

Wordsworth Primary School
Shirley, Southampton

Wordsworth Primary School will deliver a series of workshops for parents exploring healthy eating and the impact of diet on children’s behaviour. Through cooking classes and recipe sharing, participants will prepare affordable meals and snacks while learning about the science of nutrition and how food can support children’s energy, focus and wellbeing throughout the school day.

Breakout Youth
Southampton

Breakout Youth will design four interactive workshops for its LGBTQ+ youth group, using hands-on activities to explore different areas of science and meet inspiring scientists from LGBTQ+ backgrounds. The programme aims to build practical skills, boost confidence, and provide positive role models, helping young people to see themselves as the scientists, engineers and innovators of the future.

a space arts
Southampton

a space arts will host Invasive Native, a creative, hands-on workshop led by artist April Forrest Lin with local community heritage groups. Using Japanese knotweed as a case study, participants will explore ecological science, adaptation, and the ways people understand the natural world. The workshop will encourage reflection on the connections between ecological adaptation and social diversity, exploring how ideas of belonging and difference are shaped. It will culminate in the creation of a collaborative collage, which will be exhibited at God’s House Tower during the British Science Festival.