Join Scientific Sue on this most historical and scientific journey of discovery!

Step into the Iron Age and embark on an exhilarating journey through science, history, and legend with Scientific Sue’s “The Chemistry & the Celts Show.” This dynamic, hands-on show will transport audiences to a time when druids, warriors, and ancient chemists shaped the world around them using the power of nature and alchemy.

Dressed as a wise druid, Scientific Sue will lead the audience through a series of spectacular experiments, unveiling the secrets of Celtic ingenuity:

🔥 Forging the Warrior’s Weapons – Witness the dramatic extraction of iron from ore and discover how the Celts used redox reactions to transform raw metal into essential tools, weapons, and treasured coins. One brave volunteer will even cast their very own Celtic coin!

⚔️ Preparing for Battle – Meet Aidan, our fierce Celtic warrior, as we paint his face using authentic designs inspired by ancient coins. Warriors didn’t just fight in drab tunics (well sometimes they didn’t wear anything!) – they stood out in battle! Volunteers will help dye cloth using natural pigments, ensuring Aidan is a truly colourful warrior.

🌀 Painting with Hibiscus Tea

🌿 Healing the Wounded – The battle is won, but Aidan returns with injuries. Using plants, honey, and the power of (slightly smelly!) ancient medicine, we’ll explore how the Celts treated wounds, administered pain relief and kept their warriors fighting fit.

The Celtic Secret of the Healing Honey

Step into the world of the Celts and uncover the sweet science of honey!
In this fascinating worksheet, Scientific Sue invites you to explore how Celtic healers — and Zambian forest beekeepers today — harness nature’s chemistry to soothe wounds, sweeten medicines, and celebrate life itself.

During The Chemistry of the Celts show, one of my young druid apprentices is presented with their very own pot of Zambian Forest Honey — and a tiny honey bee — as a special thank-you for helping to mix healing brews for our brave warrior!

Discover how honey fights bacteria, helps wounds to heal, and even inspired one of the world’s earliest medicines. Compare Zambian Forest Honey, Irish Heather Honey, and New Zealand’s famous Manuka to see how each flower, forest, and bee brings its own unique chemistry to life.

💛 Perfect for curious young scientists, families, and classrooms exploring:

• STEM connections between nature, chemistry, and sustainability

• Ancient Celtic medicine and the science behind natural healing

• Fair trade and biodiversity, from Irish hills to African forests

Full of experiments, facts, and fun ways to bring Science2Life!

🛁 The Celtic Spa Experience – War is dirty work! Female warriors were just as fierce as their male counterparts, but after battle, as well as washing a little pampering is in order. Using chemistry and a touch of magic, we’ll create colour-changing bath bombs fit for a Celtic Spa!

🎇 Victory & Celebration! – The raiding party was a success! With grain, cattle, and jewellery now in their possession, the whole village prepares for a grand celebration. Faces are painted, and the bonfire is lit. But as flames dance in the night, disaster strikes—a stray ember drifts into the grain store… BOOM! What happens when chemistry and catastrophe collide?

🌀 Appeasing the Gods – The gods are furious! Have the Celts’ greed angered them? Offerings must be made to restore balance. But who—or what—will be sacrificed? All of Scientific Sue’s trainee druids will stand before the audience with everything they’ve created during the show, and together, the crowd will decide how to appease the ancient spirits.

“The Chemistry & the Celts Show” is an unmissable blend of history, science, and storytelling, packed with fiery explosions, daring experiments, and plenty of audience participation. Whether you’re a fearless warrior or a budding druid, you’ll leave inspired, entertained, and maybe just a little bit wiser!