We discover the cosmos at Birmingham’s biggest interactive science museum & it was out of this world

From now until April, Thinktank is offering families the opportunity to learn all about ‘Our World From Space’ - a two year national STEM programme which explores the relevance of UK space science in climate change and sustainability and which has been funded by the UK Space Agency in partnership with the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and is part of UK Research & Innovation. 

The event is a combination of dedicated shows and also interactive ‘science busking’ sections. If you’re wondering what science busking actually is - it’s pretty self explanatory; just how street performers and musicians perform kerbside, science busking is the art of engaging the walking public and passers-by through explaining science in simple and engaging terms to catch their attention. 

At Thinktank, the dedicated science busking team will keep everyone entertained with talks on the various satellites orbiting Earth and how scientists observe our planet from space with the use of those high-tech satellites. 

Here, families can discover how rockets take off, recreate the orbits of satellites around earth and delve into how they play a vital role in wildlife conservation too. Other highlights include learning how to build the Sun, Moon, and Earth out of people (yes, people!) to investigate how the celestial bodies move around in space.

For kids interested in careers in STEM, the museum will be running a pop-up ‘Meet The Experts’ event from 11am every morning with daily talks and meet and greets with scientists, STEM professionals, academics and students from Brum’s top universities. 

The School of Physics and Astronomy at University of Birmingham will be on hand with experts to discuss stars and distant planets outside our solar system and will take a deep dive into the world of blackholes and their new and exciting research into gravitation waves.

Elsewhere, experts from Aston University will showcase fun and hands-on chemistry experiments as well as discuss what role technology might have in the important task of monitoring our air quality.

Additionally, local meteorite expert, STEM ambassador and physicist Kayode Lewis, will be bringing in his impressive meteorite collection to the museum (including meteors found in Algeria and the Arctic) to help visitors understand more about our amazing universe.

Stay and play for science tots 

For little ones (aged 6 months to 3 years) with oodles of energy to burn off , you should absolutely head over to the Our World From Space sensory play sessions – which provide tots with fun opportunities for creative, interactive and sensory play using different colours, lights, textures and sounds. Booking is essential for the stay and play sessions but all the ‘Our World From Space’ events are included in the admission price. 

Planetarium

Thinktank’s exceptional Planetarium - one of its biggest pulls and suitable for all ages - fuses excitement and discovery into 10 minute timed shows throughout the year.

This half term the theme is ‘Spaceports’ and the exhibition runs every 20 minutes. The exhibition explores why the locations of spaceports are important, and the different ways satellites can be launched into space. It also investigates how the UK is specifically helping to launch satellites into space.

Play-area

Aside from this event, Think Tank is full of other hands-on galleries across its four floors inside the Millennium Point complex including major permanent exhibitions about Birmingham and the Industrial Revolution, the magnificent Spitfire Gallery (featuring a real Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane), the ‘All About Me’ biology section and the MiniBrum kids city play area for under 8s. 

You can tinker with a life size robot and learn the dedication involved in becoming an astronaut too. The outdoor urban science garden is one of the city’s truly hidden gems and as a safely enclosed space with plenty of activities, is guaranteed to extend the fun for even longer.

How to book to see Our World from Space at Thinktank at Millennium Point

 The Our World From Space programme continues being showcased at 22 science centres and museums across the UK until December 2024 with interactive workshops for families and community groups, bespoke classroom-based activities, ‘meet the scientist’ events, science shows, and STEM career days with individual organisations presenting the them in their own  unique ways.

The ‘Our World From Space’ performance show element takes place daily from 11.30am on Monday, February 12 to Friday, February 16 with additional dates across the Easter holidays from Monday, March 25 to Friday, April 5. To book visit: Birmingham Museums Think Tank Adults tickets are from £15.50 and child tickets from £7.50.