Merck’s Curiosity Cube returned to Oxford in March 2026, bringing hands-on synthetic biology activities to local primary school pupils through a collaboration between the University of Oxford’s Departments of Biology and Chemistry.
Merck’s Curiosity Cube, a mobile science laboratory designed to deliver hands-on STEM experiences, returned to Oxford this month to launch the first stop of its 2026 European tour.
Hosted by the University of Oxford’s Department of Biology, in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry, the four-day outreach event welcomed pupils from schools participating in the University’s Oxford Primary Schools Twinning Programme, which connects local schools with University departments to support science engagement and aspiration.
The Curiosity Cube is a solar-powered mobile laboratory, designed to bring interactive science experiences directly into communities. Travelling across Europe and beyond, the programme aims to spark curiosity in STEM and encourage young people to imagine themselves as future scientists.
This year marks the third year that doctoral students from Oxford’s Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS) Division have volunteered as science ambassadors. Previous Oxford events were led by the Departments of Chemistry and Engineering; in 2026 the programme is being led by the Department of Biology, working alongside the Curiosity Cube team and collaborators in Chemistry.
Dr Sarah Hilton, Communications and Engagement Manager who spent the week with the Curiosity cube said:
“We’re absolutely thrilled to be part of the Curiosity Cube again this year. What’s particularly striking is that some of the children are now visiting for the third time, and they clearly remember their previous experiences — that kind of repeated engagement is incredibly powerful. It helps them see that science isn’t just a one-off school activity, but something familiar that they can imagine being part of.”
Across the week, pupils aged 8–13 took part in a series of synthetic biology activities designed by Merck researchers, exploring how biology can be engineered to solve real-world challenges.
In the first activity, pupils built enzyme lock-and-key models to explore how enzymes recognise specific molecules and how these interactions underpin many biological processes used in biotechnology and medicine.
The second activity used Cubelet blocks to demonstrate how DNA can be understood as a programmable code, introducing the concept that scientists can design genetic systems to perform particular functions.
In the third activity, pupils explored gene activation by selecting genes through trivia-based challenges, illustrating how genes can be switched on or off depending on signals within a cell.
Through these activities, students discovered how synthetic biology combines principles from biology, chemistry and engineering to design new biological systems — from sustainable materials to future medicines.
Professor Martin Maiden, Head of the Department of Biology, said:
“Curiosity is the starting point for scientific discovery. Activities like the Curiosity Cube give children the opportunity to explore ideas such as synthetic biology in a hands-on way, while giving our young researchers chance to share their research in an engaging way. We are delighted to lead this year’s programme in collaboration with colleagues in Chemistry and the team at Merck.”
By bringing researchers and students together with local schools, the initiative aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and strengthen connections between Oxford’s research community and schools across the region.
