Universelab is part of Trio Sci Cymru, an initiative by the Welsh Government to boost take-up of STEM subjects in Wales. Trio Sci Cymru is led by the Welsh Government’s National Science Academy, in collaboration with the Institute of Physics, and Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth and Bangor universities. It is backed by the European Social Fund and the Welsh Government’s National Science Academy.

Over a three-year period, the Trio Sci Cymru team at Cardiff University will deliver innovative STEM outreach programmes to 2,790 key stage 3 pupils across the South Wales Valleys, offering a unique opportunity to participate in three different innovative STEM enrichment programmes.

Universelab is the Physics and Astronomy programme, run by Dr Mat Allen and Sarah Eve Roberts, and overseen by Dr Paul Roche of the School of Physics and Astronomy. It uses space to engage students with science through a combination of 3D shows, virtual and augmented reality, robotic telescopes and hands-on workshops.

Exploring the universe from their classrooms, pupils will experience how astronauts live and work on the International Space Station, and plan the future exploration of Mars. The remotely controlled Faulkes Telescopes will capture images of nebulae, star clusters, galaxies and asteroids, which the pupils will monitor over the next three years.

In the workshops, the pupils will discover the skills, knowledge and technology humans will need to survive the harsh environment on Mars, before putting their skills to the test in the first Mission to Mars educational Megagame.

Get Involved

The Trio Sci Cymru Project Team recruit student ambassadors to help them deliver a range of science workshops to 18 schools across South Wales. The Trio Sci Cymru Project aims to inspire students from years 7 to 9 to study Biology, Chemistry and Physics and consider STEM careers in the future.

To apply to become a Trio Sci Cymru student ambassador you will need to be a Cardiff University student studying biology, chemistry or physics (or related subjects).

Our Trio Sci Cymru student ambassador scheme is aimed at University students who share a passion for the University and the city of Cardiff and who will be enthusiastic representatives. Student ambassadors will be required to provide information, advice and to share their knowledge with year 7-9 students participating in this programme. Full training is provided and applications are welcome from both Undergraduate and Postgraduate students.

If you would like to learn more about the student ambassador programme, contact Sarah Eve Roberts (robertsS38@cardiff.ac.uk) or Dr Mat Allen (AllenMJ1@cardiff.ac.uk).

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