The National Centre for Atmospheric Science was proud to take part in the Rochdale Science Extravaganza 2026, a free family science festival celebrating science and discovery, to inspire action on climate change. Organised by the Rochdale Science Initiative, the event brought together schools, families, researchers, community organisations, and industry partners to engage people of all ages with science through hands-on experiences.

As part of the event, NCAS led the Rochdale Climate Mosaic, an interactive activity that transformed 200 years of local temperature data into a colourful collaborative artwork inspired by the climate stripes. Visitors placed individual mosaic pieces to recreate real historical climate data, and over the course of a day created a powerful visual representation of how Rochdale’s temperatures have changed over time while learning about the science behind climate change.

The event took place during one of the UK’s summer heatwaves, providing a timely backdrop for conversations about rising temperatures and climate change. As visitors added to the mosaic, many reflected on the unusually warm conditions and discussed how heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense. The activity helped connect global climate trends to local experiences, encouraging people to explore how temperatures in Rochdale, and across the UK, have changed over the last two centuries.

The mosaic also provided an opportunity for visitors to ask questions and discuss what a changing climate means for Rochdale and communities around the world. By combining science with creativity, the project helped make a complex topic more accessible and engaging. Hands-on art activities can be a powerful way to involve people of all ages in conversations about climate change, helping them connect with science in a memorable and meaningful way.

Events such as the Rochdale Science Extravaganza play an important role in widening participation in science. The Rochdale Science Initiative is committed to creating opportunities for communities that have traditionally been underrepresented in science, including people from disadvantaged and ethnically diverse backgrounds. Through accessible, community-focused activities, the initiative helps ensure that more young people can see science as relevant, welcoming and open to them.

While the mosaic was not fully completed on the day, the project will continue with a community event during the summer holidays, giving local residents another opportunity to contribute to this unique artwork and become part of Rochdale’s climate story.