The Urenco Young Scientist Centre
The Urenco Young Scientist Centre (UYSC) is an imaginative science laboratory in the Ri, where young people from Year 3-13 can experience and explore science outside of the classroom.
We are now fully booked for the 25/26 academic year. If you would like to be added to our waitlist for the 2026 Summer Term please send an email to ysc@ri.ac.uk including:
- The workshop you'd like to book
- The age and size of the group you're hoping to bring
- Whether you have a preferred date you would like to book
What happens in an UYSC workshop?
In a UYSC workshop, students become a scientist for the day, exploring science through hands-on experiments. They are encouraged to engage in scientific discovery through curiosity-driven learning.
In our workshops, students are encouraged to use a range of scientific skills including (but not limited to!): making observations, collecting data, analysing results, in addition to teamwork and communication skills.
Just as in the best research laboratories, students have access to advanced technology and techniques outside the normal school curriculum, making this a science trip to remember.
Students get hands-on making their own bath bombs and lip balm, all whilst learning the fundamentals of pH, chemical reactions and states of matter.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for students in Years 3 - 8 and lasts 4 hours, including a 30 minute break for lunch (not provided).
The maximum group size is 30 students.
What students will learn
In the morning, students will investigate neutralisation and the pH scale, and how that knowledge can be used to make the best bath bombs. In the afternoon, they will gain an understanding of states of matter through making their own lip balms to take home.
Please note that this workshop contains some strong smells.
Make the most unique piece of jewellery you will ever own in this exciting workshop!
This is a great introduction to enzymes and lab techniques, allowing students to use equipment often only found at degree level.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for students in Years 5-9 and lasts 2 hours. There is the option to book two sessions for this workshop in one day - if this is of interest, please enquire when booking.
The maximum group size is 30.
What students will learn
After harvesting their own cheek cells, students will extract DNA using lysis buffer, protease and ethanol. They will finish with a piece of their own DNA in a necklace to take home.
Please note that in this workshop participants extract their DNA from their own saliva.
Follow the journey of how scientists discovered electromagnetism, how it led to the invention of the motor here at the Ri, and the future of electromagnetic technology.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for students in Years 5-9 and lasts 4 hours, including a 30 minute break for lunch (not provided).
The maximum group size is 24.
What students will learn
Through exploring the history of electromagnetism, students will gain an appreciation for the process of scientific discovery. They will learn the principles of electromagnetism, their connections to the Ri, and how they are used in the modern world.
Please note that this workshop involves strong neodymium magnets. Anyone with a pacemaker should contact the team at ysc@ri.ac.uk ahead of their visit.
Harness Newton's laws of motion to design a car that protects an egg passenger during a real crash test.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for students in Years 7-11 and lasts 4 hours, including a 30-minute break for lunch (not provided).
The maximum group size is 24.
What students will learn
In this workshop, students will learn how Newton's laws of motion are used to design safety features in cars. In the morning, they will conduct a series of hands-on experiments related to engineering. In the engineering, they will apply learnings from the morning to design a car for a crash testing competition in which they must keep their chocolate egg passenger safe.
Please note this workshop contains discussions of road traffic collisions, loud sounds and fire.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for students in Years 9-13 and lasts 4 hours, including a 30-minute break for lunch (not provided).
The maximum group size is 24. When booking, please specify which year group will be attending the UYSC as workshop content can vary.
What students will learn
Students will explore how colours arise from pigments and light. They will harness lab skills to create and investigate the differences between natural and synthetic dyes. Younger students will explore how coloured light can be produced during a flame test experiment, and older students will learn analytical chemistry, using colorimetry to determine an unknown concentration of a dye sample.
All workshops end with a colourful fire show from a UYSC presenter.
Please note that this workshop contains demonstrations and activities involving bright lights and fire.
Learn how to use DNA fingerprinting to help solve a murder mystery.
This workshop is a great introduction to genetic forensic analysis, using processes often only found at degree level.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for students in Years 9-13 and lasts 4 hours, including a 30-minute break for lunch (not provided).
The maximum group size is 24.
What students will learn
During this workshop students will analyse suspect DNA samples, using modern molecular biological techniques including restriction digests and gel electrophoresis. At the end of the workshop, students analyse the DNA fingerprints to determine which of the suspects may be guilty.
Please note this workshop contains discussion of a fictional murder mystery.
Step into the role of a clinical bacteriologist to investigate new outbreaks of a bacterial disease.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for students in Years 12-13 and lasts 4 hours, including a 30-minute break.
What students will learn
Students will use restriction enzyme digests and gel electrophoresis to analyse and learn about DNA, restriction enzymes and evolution using research-grade laboratory equipment. At the end of the workshop, students will assess the DNA evidence and decide what medical advice they would give to patients.
Please note this workshop contains discussion of a fictional disease outbreak and some graphic medical images.
In this genetics workshop, students will extract and test their own DNA using modern molecular biological techniques.
About the workshop
This workshop is designed for students in Years 12-13 and lasts 6 hours, including a 30-minute break for lunch (not provided) and another break in the afternoon.
The maximum group size is 16.
What students will learn
In this workshop, students will test their phenotypic and genotypic ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), a chemical found in vegetables such as broccoli. Students will perform a polymerase chain reaction (PCR), restriction digest and gel electrophoresis to analyse their DNA. This unique workshop will give students degree level practical experience.
Please note that in this workshop participants extract their DNA from their own saliva.
Book now
We are now accepting bookings for the 25/26 academic year. If you're interested in booking one of our workshops, we'd love to hear from you. Simply send an email to ysc@ri.ac.uk including:
- The workshop you'd like to book
- The age and size of the group you're hoping to bring
- Whether you have a preferred date you would like to book
Frequently asked questions
We offer workshops for students in Years 3-13. We cannot allow anyone under the age of 7 into the lab for health and safety reasons. Our experienced UYSC team are able to suggest workshops that would suit your students' abilities.
Yes! At the UYSC we endeavour to make all our workshops accessible for SEN students. Please contact us at ysc@ri.ac.uk with any specific requirements for your students when making a booking.
We offer hands-on workshops in biology, chemistry, physics and engineering for varying ages and abilities.
Yes! All available holiday workshops are on the What's On page of our website, run by both the UYSC and Ri Families team.
Yes! At the UYSC we welcome bookings from groups of home educators. Please email us to discuss your booking at mailto:ysc@ri.ac.uk
Yes! Please email us with details of your booking at ysc@ri.ac.uk
Our nearest tube station is Green Park, located a 5 minute walk away from the Ri. There are also a wide range of public bus routes that stop a 3 minute walk from the Ri. Unfortunately we cannot offer any parking.
UYSC workshops all happen on site at the Ri in our specialist lab. If you are interested in having the Ri come to your school, please contact the Science in Schools team (schools@ri.ac.uk) who offer a range of science shows and CPD sessions for teachers.
"The visit was invaluable... they learned much about the scientific method and were fully engaged throughout the day."
