Each year, UEA academics deliver two festive lectures for children aged seven and up.
Our much-loved festive lectures will look a little bit different this year, as social distancing means we can't all be together in the same room. Instead, we'll be bringing out lectures of Christmases passed and adding a bit of sparkle with brand new downloadable activity packs to accompany them.
You can look back at more of our previous Christmas Lectures on our UEA Public Events YouTube channel. Click the button below to take look!
UEA Christmas Lecture 2020 Activities
Use the drop down menus below to explore four Christmas Lectures in new ways! Click on the images to view and download the activity packs, and watch the videos to help you find out more about each topic before answering the questions in the pack.
We'd love for you to share what you discover with us! Ask an adult to tag @UEAEvents in photos of your work on Twitter using: #UEAChristmasLectures
Putting on a Pageant
Putting on a Pageant - By Prof Matt Woodcock
This activity sheet has been put together by Prof Matt Woodcock from UEA’s School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing, to go with his lecture 'Putting on a Pageant' from December 2018.
Watch Matt's lecture in the video below to find out more about Queen Elizabeth I's visit to Norwich in 1578, before working through the activity sheet to plan your own right royal knees up! When you're ready, click on the image to the right to view and download the activity pack.
The Pink Pigeon's Peril
The Pink Pigeon's Peril - By Camilla Ryan
This activity sheet has been put together by scientist Camilla Ryan from UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences and the Earlham Institute, to go with her lecture 'The Pink Pigeon’s Peril' from December 2019.
You can take a look at Camilla's lecture in the video below before you try your hand at these activities! When you're ready, click on the image to the left to view and download the activity worksheets and find out more about this incredible bird.
Victoria's Dustbin
Victoria's Dustbin - By Prof Tom Licence
This activity sheet has been put together by Professor Tom Licence from UEA’s School of History, to go with his lecture 'Victoria’s Dustbin' from December 2016.
Take a look at the video of Tom's lecture below to learn about some Victorian Christmas traditions that are still thriving today, and how items dug up from their rubbish dumps have helped historians find out more about daily life in the mid-1800s. Once you're done, click on the image on the right to head to the activity pack and continue your investigation!
Mud, Glorious Mud!
Mud, Glorious Mud! - By Prof Brian Reid
This activity sheet has been put together by soil scientist Professor Brian Reid, to go with his lecture 'Mud, Glorious Mud!' from December 2018.
You can watch Brian's lecture in the video below before downloading this activity pack, to help prepare you for exploring just how important the earth beneath our feet truly is! Are you ready to become a soil scientist? Click on the image to the left to find out.