(Image courtesy of Norwich Science Festival and Beth Moseley)
Thousands of schoolchildren across Norfolk have been “time travelling” this month to meet history’s greatest scientific minds, thanks to a major educational initiative funded by the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm.
The Great Science Time Tour, a high energy play produced for the 2026 Norwich Science Festival, has just completed a whirlwind tour of 38 primary and SEND schools across the county. The tour serves as a precursor to the main festival, which runs from 14–21 February 2026.
Performed by Tom Butterworth, the play takes young audiences on a “time-twisting adventure.” Students have the chance to help Charles Darwin study his finches, say bonjour to double Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie, and blast into orbit with astronaut Mae Jamison.
Bringing the Curriculum to Life
The tour has received glowing reviews from local educators for its ability to blend humor with the National Curriculum. One Norfolk teacher noted:
“The delivery was spot on, exactly the right balance between scientific knowledge and making them laugh. The children loved seeing their friends on stage helping with the science experiments.”
Another teacher added:
“The play was pitched well and the scientists linked to our curriculum. The play was well written and carefully thought out, so each scene linked. It was great that Tom asked volunteers from the audience to help him – the children loved seeing their friends helping with the science.”
By the end of the Norwich Science Festival, it is estimated that over 6,000 people will have experienced the production.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The project is powered by the Dudgeon Offshore Wind Farm Community Fund, operated by Equinor. The fund provides £125,000 annually to support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) initiatives across the county.
Sophie Skipp, Equinor’s Stakeholder Manager in Norfolk, attended a recent performance at Sheringham Primary School. She said:
“Today’s children are tomorrow’s scientists and engineers. This play is a fantastic way to bring scientific achievement to life in a way that sticks with them. Reaching 38 Norfolk schools in just five weeks is a remarkable achievement, and we are proud to support it.”
As not all schools are able to travel to Norwich for the Science Festival, bringing the play directly to rural communities helps remove transport barriers and opens up opportunities for children to connect with science in an art-infused way.
See the Show at The Forum
For those who missed the school tour, the adventure continues. There will be 14 public performances of The Great Science Time Tour in the Lower Gallery at The Forum, Norwich, throughout the Festival week (14–21 February).
Note to Schools:
The Dudgeon Community Fund, administered by the Norfolk Community Foundation, remains open for STEM grant applications from schools and colleges in Great Yarmouth, North Norfolk, and Breckland. Applications are reviewed three times a year via www.norfolkfoundation.com.