One of Hampshire’s top visitor attractions is set to relive 20 years of ‘wow moments’, with a spot of time travel, to launch a year of celebrations with a bang.
Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium has proved an out of this world hit for hands-on, interactive family fun since first opening its doors in 2002, and is now set to mark its 20th anniversary through a host of special events with a retro theme.
Set up as an educational charity with a mission to raise science awareness for all, particularly children, the Science Centre was opened as a state-of-the-art centre to offer an exciting journey through the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths).
Not only is it now the South of England’s leading science and discovery centre – on the outskirts of Winchester and overlooking the South Downs National Park – but it is also home to the UK’s largest standalone planetarium.
As it celebrates 20 years of delivering on its science mission, the Science Centre will be taking its visitors on a trip down memory lane to enjoy some of its best show themes and demos, all with a retro twist.
First up is a chance to cook up a storm with the “Science Chefs”, which will explore the chemistry of food in a new free science show, with a marvellous menu of science bites.
Set to run through to 13 March, it promises visitors a chance to find out what makes a chemical reaction and discover how different food gives energy – and even be wowed by the explosive sugar flame-thrower.
And that flaming start to its anniversary year will be followed by other retro events, with 20 years of science ‘wow’ celebrations continuing from March onwards with a new free Planet Protectors science show, two spectacular Planetarium shows and nature activities.
Open weekends and school holidays, as well as Wednesdays during term time, the Science Centre already offers a host of immersive experiences to give children in particular a fun way to learn more about the world of science and nature.
Visitors can climb into a massive guitar and feel it vibrate when people pluck the strings, blast off on an out-of-this-world journey through ‘Explorer: Space’, experience live demos in ‘Science Live’ and fly through the Solar System under the futuristic dome of the Planetarium.
Next stop on its 2022 time travelling celebrations will be the climate and environment, from 19 March to 8 May.
Join the ‘Planet Protectors’ as they uncover the impact of fashion on climate in a brand-new free science show, which will explore the carbon cycle of clothes, uncover the world of alternative fuels, and feature some epic demos, including the return of the explosive hydrogen balloons.
Meanwhile, in the Planetarium – featuring a 360° cinema screen that surrounds the audience – new shows will reveal the secrets of the planets in ‘Atmospheres’, an exciting live show, while ‘Ice Worlds’, a subtitled film show, will tour the icy landscapes of the Solar System.
All tickets must be booked online in advance, and cost from £12 for adults and children (3-18 years old). For more details, visit www.winchestersciencecentre.org
For tourist information about Hampshire see www.visit-hampshire.co.uk
Photo: Harvey Mills