Over the last few months, Collider Cafe has been exploring an exciting question: How do families feel about games and activities based around the evolution of human language? To help shape our thinking, we ran a survey to better understand what parents and families value in educational activities and how people respond to the idea of a language evolution game. The response was incredibly helpful and gave us lots of insight into what excites people most. One theme appeared again and again throughout the responses: curiosity. People spoke about learning, discovery, communication, creativity, history, sounds, ideas and shared experiences. Many respondents were particularly interested in activities that encourage children to think for themselves, test ideas and explore big questions in fun and engaging ways. The survey also reinforced something central to Collider Cafe: Families are looking for experiences that combine learning with imagination and conversation. We were especially encourag

One of the most exciting parts of building Collider Cafe is the opportunity to learn as we go. Ideas start as sketches, experiments, conversations and prototypes. But to build something that truly resonates with people, we also need to listen carefully to the wider public. That is why I am particularly pleased to share that Collider Cafe has recently launched a survey with YouGov. Working with one of the world’s leading research organisations allows us to gather meaningful insights about how people engage with science, creativity and curiosity in everyday life. The responses will help us understand what inspires people, how they interact with STEM ideas outside of formal education, and what kinds of experiences and products people find most engaging. For a young venture like Collider Cafe, this kind of data is incredibly valuable. It gives us a clearer view of where to focus our efforts as we continue developing games, products and events that bring people and ideas together. From Idea

Albert Einstein is instantly recognisable. The wild hair, chalkboards full of equations, and the famous formula E = mc². But behind the icon is a far more surprising figure. Here are five lesser-known facts about Einstein that help explain why his ideas still matter today, and why they will continue to matter as we look toward 2026 and beyond. 1. Einstein Wasn’t a Star Student Despite the popular myth, Einstein struggled with the rigid schooling system of his time. He disliked rote learning, questioned authority, and often learned independently. What set him apart was not exam performance, but curiosity and original thinking. It is a reminder that creativity often matters more than conformity. 2. He Developed Key Ideas While Working a Day Job Some of Einstein’s most important ideas were formed while he worked as a patent clerk in Bern. Reviewing inventions every day trained him to think practically about abstract problems. In 1905, his so-called “miracle year”, he published papers that

The start of a new year always brings a particular kind of energy. It is a moment to reflect and then look ahead with curiosity and intent. For Collider Cafe, that feels especially true this year. Over the past months, we’ve shared glimpses of the journey so far on the blog: early ideas taking shape, products moving from sketches to physical objects, and events like Science of Wine that tested concepts with real people, real conversations, and real feedback. Each post has marked a small but meaningful step forward. Now, as the year begins, I’m excited to be working on several new threads that build directly on what we’ve learned so far. New Ideas, New Collaborations One area I’m particularly excited about is a new game concept rooted in research from linguistics. Language is something we all use instinctively every day, yet the science behind it, how meaning is formed, how patterns emerge, how communication evolves, is rich, surprising, and deeply human. This collaboration brings toget

The Scientist Who Glowed Against the Darkness Every so often, a figure emerges in science whose story feels almost larger than life. She was someone whose determination, curiosity, and brilliance reshape our understanding of the world. Marie Curie is one of those rare people. At Collider Cafe, we celebrate the ideas and individuals who changed the course of STEM. Curie didn’t just change it she illuminated it. A Pioneer in Every Sense Born in Warsaw in 1867, Marie Curie grew up at a time when higher education for women was almost impossible. But her curiosity wouldn’t be contained. She moved to Paris, studied at the Sorbonne, and began research that would lead to some of the most important scientific discoveries of the 20th century. Together with her husband Pierre, she explored strange new materials that emitted invisible energy. What began as curiosity turned into groundbreaking research on radioactivity — a term she herself coined. Her discoveries of polonium and radium revealed tha

Our third Science of Wine event took place this week in Aldbury, and it couldn’t have been more special. Hosted in support of the local school, the evening brought together a wonderful mix of people from the village and beyond — sharing stories, laughter, and plenty of conversation over a glass (or two!) of wine. Having lived in Aldbury for 18 months, it felt fantastic to give something back to a community that means so much to us. As always, Laure Soeters led the session brilliantly, taking guests on a journey through the science behind the wine from acidity to tannins. The discussions around the room were lively and full of curiosity, and it was a joy to see how easily science and storytelling can bring people together. One guest summed it up perfectly: “Thank you so much for a fascinating evening learning about the science of wine. It was a really inventive and engaging way to bring everyone together. I will never look at a bottle of wine in the same way again!” That kind of feedbac