We’re facing a nature crisis, but there’s hope.
Resonate is returning to the Royal Pump Rooms for a fascinating day of free activity at the Leamington Spa Art Gallery and Museum, exploring their current exhibition ‘Sustain: from the past, for the future’.
From engineering to art, history to chemistry, join us for a day of hands-on activity, demonstrations and short talks as students and staff from the University of Warwick explore exciting work on sustainable futures, while the exhibition explores how people in the past lived more sustainably, using less stuff, less energy, and making space for nature.
Together, we can learn and share how we, as individuals and communities, can make a difference.
Take a first look at activity below, with more to be announced!
There will be activity for all ages, with the most to do for those aged 12+. Age recommendations will be listed for all activities when the full programme is released.
Please note: We’d recommend 2-3 hours for your visit, though you are welcome to join us for less time or stay for the day. Talk times will be released with the programme and seats allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Scheduled Short Talks
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Retrofit Rocks is a community-led project developed by the University of Warwick in partnership with Coventry City Council and Act on Energy. Through engaging videos and a demonstration of a 3D model of a retrofitted home, we will explore how simple improvements can make our homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. We will share how the project has brought together children, families and local communities to learn about home retrofitting and sustainability through creative, hands-on activities. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and discover practical ways to save energy at home.
This presentation is aimed at ages 12+.
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Meet a team who look at the current techniques and strategies for monitoring river water quality in England. Find out more about work on developing low-cost sensors for citizen scientists to monitor river water quality in the local community – including how they’re designed, what’s been found so far, and work being done in the local area.
This presentation is aimed at ages 12+, and the team will be hosting a drop-in stall throughout the day for all ages (recommended 5+).
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Invasive species can range from plants to animals and insects. They can be a huge threat to our native flora and fauna and require careful management to restrict their spread. At Warwick, we use DNA technology to monitor invasive species such as signal crayfish and American mink. By 'fishing' for their DNA in water or soil, we can track their whereabouts and work with local partners to implement management strategies. Individuals can help prevent the spread of invasives by making sure they Check, Clean and Dry equipment and clothing after interacting with aquatic environments.
This presentation is aimed at ages 12+, and the team will be hosting a drop-in stall throughout the day for all ages (recommended 5+).
Please be aware that some talk timings may change - please check back here on the day of the event to confirm the final programme.
Drop- in (open from 10am - 3pm)
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Explore the history of maize across the Americas and how people have preserved their diversity through history. As well as examples of historical and archaeological maize, find out about how this translates to local examples of crop diversity and how you can get involved in crop heritage preservation.
Please note: this activity deals with themes of colonialism and lost cultural heritage, and is recommended for ages 12+
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This activity invites you to consider the role that leisure, recreation, and sport play in creating a sense of belonging. From local clubs and hobbies to organised sport, the ways we spend our free time have changed alongside the spaces in which we do them. Using photographs, archive footage, artwork and memorabilia, explore these changes and ask what leisure might look like in the future. With a particular focus on tennis and Leamington Spa’s place in its history - including the formation of the first Lawn Tennis Association - we encourage visitors to share their own experiences and ideas about the places and activities that matter to them
This activity is recommended for ages 5+
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In this activity, you'll learn about onions - one of the most important vegetables in the world! Find out about the genetic instructions that decide if onions are brown or red, and how well they grow in different climates. Decode the instructions by matching them up to their traits and find out how scientists explore how to breed the best onion!
Please note: this activity will mention food production in the context of drought and climate change, and is recommended for ages 12+ -
For centuries, people repaired and reused clothing using patches and embroidery to ensure garments lasted longer and reduced waste. This workshop combines these traditional practices with modern digital technology. Using TurtleStitch, it’s possible to create embroidery designs using simple programming instructions. The designs can then be stitched onto fabric using a digital embroidery machine to create patches that can be used to repair, strengthen or personalise clothing and bags. The activity explores how digital technology can be used to extend the life of textiles.
This activity is recommended for ages 12+
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Get ready for a warm adventure into the world of heat pumps! Try out our demonstration to discover how this technology could be used heat your home and help the planet. Pay us a visit, explore renewable energy and get pumping!
This activity is recommended for ages 5+
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What are the qualities you look for in a good battery? How does it change depending on the application? Find out more about how researchers explore this question and the importance for sustainable energy.
This activity is recommended for ages 12+
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Step into Acting on Climate's Story Garden, an interactive installation inspired by young people, artists and teachers. Here, stories of land unfold through film, performance and participation. Visitors can watch filmed performances by young people, discover the creative journeys behind the work, and share their own memories, experiences and stories of place.
The installation also offers opportunities to pause and reflect on our relationships with the things that surround us, from food and fashion to flowers, and how these everyday connections shape our understanding of climate, community and care.
This activity is accessible for 5+ and recommended for ages 12+
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Composite materials combine two or more materials together to create something new with better properties than the starting materials. For example, taking a type of polymer resin used to create plastics and reinforcing it with carbon fibre creates a strong and lightweight new material. Using composite materials instead of the traditional metal structures in cars, there are opportunities to reduce environmental impacts because cars could be made lighter and therefore more efficient. However, since it takes a lot of energy to make composite materials in the first place, research is needed to make sure that they are recycled effectively at the end of the product's use.
This activity showcases the full lifecycle of composite materials – including developments in technologies to reclaim fibres from end-of-life components, to be recycled and re-compounded into second generation materials.
This activity is recommended for ages 12+
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At this hands-on activity, explore innovations in sustainable materials - including finding out more about what materials are being developed and why.
This activity is recommended for ages 5+
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A hands-on activity exploring the many ways we can reuse, repair and upcycle our things to give them a new lease of life. Explore objects and materials with a fascinating past – from fishing net fabrics to plastic bottle-based insulation - and share your own ideas for how everyday items could be reused in new and creative ways.
This activity is recommended for ages 5+
The ‘Sustain: from the past, for the future’ project is part of the Fixing Our Broken Planet programme in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London.
Venue Information
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There is limited parking directly outside the Royal Pump Rooms. Parking is reserved for disabled visitors approximately 10 metres from the entrance. St Peter’s car park is 5 minutes’ walk from the Royal Pump Rooms, and there is information on the Warwick District Council Website about Leamington car parks.
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For accessibility information about the venue, please visit their AccessAble Guide.
There will be a Quiet Space available, as well as Explorer Packs which contain a range of sensory items including ear defenders. Please speak to a member of staff if you would like access to these.
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Food and Drink
Refreshments will not be provided as part of this event. There is a café in the Royal Pump Rooms which is open from 9:30am - 4:00pm, and a number of food and drink establishments nearby. Please note that food and drink cannot be consumed in the library or museum and gallery spaces, but there will be a Rest Space near the activity where you are welcome to eat and drink.Toilets and Baby Changing Facilities
Accessible toilet facilities are available, alongside male and female toilets. There is a parent and baby room for public use.
Looking for other events on the 7th November?
Check out the What’s On tab at the top of the page for more activity!
The University of Warwick and Resonate remains warmly open to all. We want everyone who visits our events to feel safe, comfortable and valued. The University of Warwick remains committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful and supportive community, and we ask everyone who attends Resonate events to treat each other with kindness and compassion. Harassment of any kind is unacceptable. If you have any concerns or issues on the day, please speak to a member of the Resonate Team.
Resonate supports the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals. The symbols below indicate which of the 17 goals this event aligns with.
