Join us for five inspiring talks in one day. Speakers from the Department of History and Philosophy of Science will share insights from their research and expertise for the Cambridge Festival 2026.
Drop in anytime – all talks are free and will take place in the Learning Gallery at the Whipple Museum.
What's On
Linnaeus and Clouds
Participants will be invited to explore and be inspired by the exhibition Mmm, Gotta Try a Little Harder, It Could Be Sweet by Harold Offeh, discovering how Offeh makes clothes, hair and pop culture relate to his own identity.
Please note: Lunch is not included. We ask that participants bring that own packed lunch, and that this does not contain nuts.
What is an orrery? Why is the clock chiming 13? Why would you collect and display a set of plaster horses’ teeth, some green spectacles and several hundred pocket calculators?
Join us for a tour of the Whipple’s collection in 10 objects, featuring spectacular instruments, fascinating scientific stories, and links to some of Cambridge’s most famous names.
Meet at the reception point in the Main Gallery.
Book your free tickets here!
Giant deer, fossil fish teeth, the rocks that built Cambridge... just some of the specimens on display that our staff can't wait to discuss with you. Beware, their enthusiasm is infectious!
Ages 12+, drop into our shop to reserve your free place on the tour.
Drop-in, FREE
Giant deer, fossil fish teeth, the rocks that built Cambridge... just some of the specimens on display that our staff can't wait to discuss with you. Beware, their enthusiasm is infectious!
Ages 12+, drop into our shop to reserve your free place on the tour.
Drop-in, FREE
How do rare earth element-rich minerals form? What makes some minerals 'critical' and not others? Why are they in the news so often? Discover the work of a small team of Earth Scientists at the University of Cambridge, who study minerals that formed in magma chambers millions of years ago in Greenland. The minerals contain ‘rare earth elements’, which due to their use in powerful magnets are crucial to high-tech industries and the global transition to green energy.
SOURCE is our annual programme of workshops for young people aged 15-25 studying Art and Design at GCSE, A-Level, BTEC and Foundation level.
Book an artist-led workshop, join a tour to get ideas for your themes or bring your portfolio for a review with lecturers from Cambridge School of Art at Anglia Ruskin University.
The themes for each day are:
- Thursday: Nature and natural forms
- Friday: Human form
- Saturday: Abstraction
Garden Highlight Tours are daily at 11.30am
- Explore the seasonal stars on a 60 minute tour with an expert Guide
- Places are allocated on a first-come basis and numbers are limited to 12 people per Guide
- Not recommended for children under 12 years
Bite-Sized Plant Talks at 1.30pm
Discover the remarkable contributions made to the history of science by pioneering Black scientists. Learn about medical breakthroughs, moon missions, advances in agriculture, and the art of teaching taxidermy.
Access Update at the Whipple Museum: Lift Works 2026
What is an orrery? Why is the clock chiming 13? Why would you collect and display a set of plaster horses’ teeth, some green spectacles and several hundred pocket calculators?
Join us for a tour of the Whipple’s collection in 10 objects, featuring spectacular instruments, fascinating scientific stories, and links to some of Cambridge’s most famous names.
Meet at the reception point in the Main Gallery.
