Summer at the Science and Industry Museum
Tom Grieve, Contributing WriterVisit now
Summer at the Science and Industry Museum
Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.
Prepare for lift-off this summer at the Science and Industry Museum with a line-up of free, out-of-this-world family fun. Inspired by the new blockbuster immersive space exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, you’ll find a range of hands-on challenges, unique workshops and interactive performances designed to appeal to budding astronauts and aspiring rocket scientists of all ages.
Each Wednesday throughout the summer holidays there is the chance to get up close to the mighty Skybolt 2, a real life rocket ship built from carbon fibre, composites, and aerospace grade aluminium. The rocket first flew in September 2017 and still bears marks from its parachute landing back on Earth.
Capable of reaching blistering speeds of up to 3,200 mph, this 30-foot-tall space craft is presented by members of the team from Manchester based aerospace company Starchaser who will be on hand to chat about Skybolt 2 and answer any of your questions about the final frontier.
Accompanying the rocket’s arrival in the Museum’s Upper Yard is a weekly schedule of space-themed activities presented by partners, experts and artists. These include artist Solar Sister, who will perform interactive walkabouts alongside an astronaut puppet companion, and a show from Junk Percussion inspired by space waste, which finds surprising sounds in everyday items.
There are also opportunities to get creative with a draw-along workshop with Kate Pankhurst, the bestselling author and illustrator of children’s story, We Are All Astronauts. While fans of LEGO can build everything from space stations to alien worlds and futuristic spacecraft, in a series of challenges and activities hosted by Bricklands.
Keep an eye out for more too including a to be announced programme of activities to celebrate the solar eclipse – and, of course, make sure to leave time to discover Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition itself, which trades the usual museum format in favour of an immersive, fun-filled adventure through the solar system.
