Soapbox Science set to inspire future female scientists in Ballymena
- Love Ballymena
- 6 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Female scientists will step out of laboratories and into the heart of Ballymena later this month as a major public STEM event lands in the town for the first time.
Soapbox Science, a free live science event designed to make research accessible, engaging and visible, is coming to the People’s Park on Friday 12 June from 11am to 2pm.
The event — the first of its kind to be hosted in Mid and East Antrim — will see female researchers take to literal soapboxes to explain their work directly to the public in simple, interactive and family-friendly ways.
Organisers hope the event will help inspire more girls and young women across the borough to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while also challenging long-standing stereotypes around who works in science.
Science brought out of the classroom and into the community
Taking place in one of Ballymena’s busiest public spaces, the event is designed as a drop-in experience where families, school pupils and residents can engage directly with researchers and academics.
From cutting-edge discoveries to everyday scientific questions, the aim is to make science feel approachable and relevant — particularly for younger audiences who may never previously have considered a future in STEM.
The event is being delivered through a partnership between Mid and East Antrim Borough Council and Queen’s University Belfast as part of the council’s “Activate Your Curiosity” STEM programme.
Newly appointed Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said science plays a critical role in shaping modern life and future opportunities for young people.
He said:
“Science is an interesting and beneficial field of study. Without dedicated individuals willing to test boundaries and theories, we would have a very different society.
“As a council, we are delighted to have the opportunity to help shape the future careers of local young people through our ‘Activate Your Curiosity’ programme.
“The addition of Soapbox Science is an ideal way to help inspire females in the Borough in a fun, engaging, and accessible way.
“I wish everyone a fantastic day and am sure the brain neurones of our local schoolchildren and residents will be well and truly activated.”
Designed to inspire the next generation
Organisers say the event is particularly suited to primary and post-primary school pupils, offering a rare chance to experience real-world science outside the classroom environment.
By placing researchers in a public setting rather than a lecture hall or laboratory, Soapbox Science aims to remove barriers around science and encourage curiosity among young people from all backgrounds.
The initiative also highlights the growing effort across Northern Ireland to encourage greater female participation in STEM careers, an area where women remain underrepresented in several industries.
Leading academics from Queen’s University Belfast will take part throughout the day, giving local families the opportunity to hear directly from women working at the forefront of scientific research.
Free public event in Ballymena’s People’s Park
The event is free to attend with no booking required.
Residents can find the full speaker line-up and further information at:
Anyone wishing to learn more about Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s “Activate Your Curiosity” STEM programme can email:
The arrival of Soapbox Science in Ballymena marks another significant addition to the borough’s growing STEM engagement programme, with organisers hoping the event will leave young people inspired long after the final soapbox talk ends.