Exhibitions at the Science Museum
Family Days out at One of London's Award-Winning Museums
Dec 8, 2008
The Science Museum offers such a wide variety of exhibitions that there is sure to be something for everyone.
Permanent Exhibitions
Launchpad
Launchpad features over 50 interactive exhibits exploring the world of physics. Although open to everyone, Launchpad is aimed especially at 8 to 14-year olds. Under 12's must be accompanied by an adult.
Making the Modern World
This gallery is set out chronologically, highlighting innovations in technology and science that have shaped our world from 1750 to the present day. The display includes Stephenson's Rocket locomotive and Crick and Watson's DNA model.
Special Exhibitions
Listening Post (until 19 February 2009)
Listening Post explores online communication. More than 200 small screens show uncensored fragments of text from public internet chat rooms and bulletin boards. The interactive display provides a snapshot of internet communications in a state of constant flux.
Films of Fact (until March 2009)
This exhibition examines the history of science on film using rare science and nature documentaries from the Science Museum's archives. To accompany this installation there is a fascinating book, of the same name, written by Dr. Tim Boon, the Museum's Chief Curator.
Japan Car: Designs for the Crowded Globe (until 19 April 2009)
This exhibition investigates how ‘the spirit and the soil’ of Japan influences Japanese car design and the future of global transport. The concept of the car as a "mobile cell" is examined by graphic designer Kenya Hara and Japanese architect Shigeru Ban. The display features 14 innovative vehicles and looks at three themes:
- Cubic designs
- Micro or ‘kei’ cars which are compact and technologically advanced
- Climate-conscious hybrid vehicles
ERNIE 1 (until 26 June 2009)
The acronym 'ERNIE' stands for "Electronic Random Number Indicator Equipment". In his Budget of April 1956 Britain's Chancellor, Harold Macmillan, launched Premium Bonds to encourage people to save. The incentive was prizes rather than interest on savings. The machine known as ERNIE 1, on display at the Museum, was the first machine to generate winning numbers for Premium Bonds.
The installation examines ERNIE's subsequent development and popularity with the British public. The latest machine, ERNIE 4, came into use in 2004 and every month thousands hold their breath, waiting to see if ERNIE has selected their Premium Bond numbers.
Dan Dare and the Birth of Hi-Tech Britain, (until 25 October 2009)
A nostalgic display looks back to the period after World War II when Britain was at the centre of technological innovation. The show features Eagle comic artwork and Dan Dare memorabilia together with innovative items manufactured between 1945 and 1970.
Plasticity – 100 years of Making Plastics (until 31 January 2010)
Bakelite was discovered a century ago by Leo Baekeland. The show features some of the new plastics and products which followed and investigates how they are used.
The display investigates the environmental implications of the use of plastics such as polythene, polyurethane, polyester, nylon and acrylic, and asks how they can be used more responsibly.
Where do you stand on GM? (opens17 December 2008 for six months)
The Museum's latest exhibition will open in December. It will look at the world-wide food crisis and the controversy surrounding genetically modified (GM) crops.
IMAX Theatre
This attraction is always popular so it is best to book in advance. A number of films are showing including the following:
- New! Fly Me to the Moon 3D
- Mummies 3D: Secrets of the Pharaohs
- Bugs! 3D
- Dinosaurs Alive 3D!
- Sea Monsters 3D
Details of all events and admission policies can be obtained from the Science Museum.
 |
