What if the sea wasn’t salty? What if we made buildings from rubies? What if dogs had antennae? Just a few very important questions explored at Science Oxford's partnership event at the Oxford Literary Festival with science author Emma Young.
To get answers to these intriguing questions and more, Francesca MacLennan, Director of Science Education and Engagement at the Oxford Trust / Science Oxford, introduced Emma as she delved into her What If… book series on Saturday 21 March at the beautiful venue, Pusey House Chapel, in St Giles, Oxford.
Children explored fun science facts about the Earth, the human body and the animal kingdom. What if you didn’t make snot? It turns out we make up to four glasses a day! What if you couldn’t fart? We learned the average person farts 8-15 times a day, hilariously demonstrated with a ‘fart machine’! Did you know, there are 1,500 active volcanoes in the world and 50-70 volcanic eruptions a year – what if every volcano erupted at once? A sliced bread demo explained how tectonic plates work.
Fun animal hybrids proved a popular topic, from a Pizzly Bear – a cross between a grizzly bear and a polar bear, to a Liger – lion and tiger, or a Geep – a cross between a goat and a sheep!
Emma’s third book in the series, What If Pigs Could Fly?, is being released in June 2026. It turns out that in the time of the dinosaurs there was an animal the size of a pig that did fly – a pterosaur!
Children were inspired to ask their own curious questions such as ‘What if we could hear air?’, ‘What if we crossed a parrot with a goose?’ and ‘What if we didn’t have toe nails?’
Francesca MacLennan, The Oxford Trust’s Director of Science Education and Engagement, said, “At Science Oxford we like asking big questions so it was a joy to learn more about science journalist Emma Young’s series of What If? books, which spotlights countless crazy science questions. The audience at this session were enthralled by the range of subjects covered and were curious to discover the answers. It also promoted a whole host of other fabulous questions. The continued partnership with The Oxford Literary Festival demonstrates the importance that books have in science learning and how they can act as a creative hook to bring enjoyment of science, as well as inspire the next generation of scientists.”
Francesca is a leader in the education and skills sector. She is also a Fellow of the Primary Science Teaching Trust. Francesca is passionate about raising STEM career aspirations and developing future talent. She aims to inspire young people about the opportunities science and engineering present to help find pioneering solutions to global challenges, both today and in the future.
An award-winning science and medical journalist and author, Emma Young works for the British Psychological Society and previously for the Guardian, the Sydney Morning Herald and New Scientist.
Ben O’Donnell, Director of Children & Young People’s Programme, Oxford Literary Festival said, “It was a huge delight to have Emma Young at the Oxford Literary Festival this year, all the more so as it allowed us to continue our collaboration with the wonderful Science Oxford for a sixth year, inspiring new generations through great science and children’s literature.”
This event marks the sixth year of partnership between Science Oxford (part of The Oxford Trust, responsible for its science education and engagement programmes), and the Oxford Literary Festival. Previous partnership events include Science Oxford introducing Dr Matt Bothwell in 2025; We Are All Astronauts talk with author and illustrator Kate Pankhurst in 2024; Space scientist and BBC The Sky at Night presenter Dr Maggie Aderin’s Grand Tour of the Solar System in 2021 and Am I Made of Stardusttalk in 2023; and Extinct talk with scientist and TV presenter Professor Ben Garrod in 2022.
Oxford Literary Festival 2026 runs until Sunday 29 March in various venues across Oxford.
Photos: Francesca MacLennan, Emma Young and young audience members at Oxford Literary Festival.
All images © The Oxford Trust, by Jason Warner – Fyrefly Studios.
Check out what’s on for families this Spring at ScienceOxford.com
