The Science and Industry Museum in Manchester has unveiled a major summer holiday programme designed to take families on an interactive journey through the Solar System.
Running from Saturday 18 July to Tuesday 1 September, the museum will host a variety of rocket-themed activities alongside its premier blockbuster space exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos.
The schedule includes a free daily programme alongside unique weekly events designed to engage young minds in the engineering principles behind space travel.
Every day throughout the school holidays, visitors can explore interactive live shows revealing the forces of flight, alongside a museum-wide Martian discovery trail.
The venue has also partnered with the charity Communities For All for its annual City Sparks programme, allowing young people from across the city to co-produce a brand-new space activity based on what excites them most about space travel.
Rocket Wednesdays and Real-Life Aerospace Displays
A major focal point of the summer calendar is the introduction of Rocket Wednesdays, which will bring an extra boost of cosmic energy to the venue each week.
Attendees will be able to view the 30-foot-tall, life-size space rocket Skybolt 2, hosted by Manchester-based aerospace firm Starchaser.
The real-life spacecraft, which first flew in September 2017 and can reach speeds of up to 3200mph, will be on display for visitors to explore while meeting the technical team behind its launch.
Additional weekly activities include space-themed Lego building challenges hosted by Bricklands, a draw-a-long workshop with Kate Pankhurst, the bestselling author of We Are All Astronauts, and walkabout puppet performances by artist Solar Sister.
On Wednesday, 12 August, the museum will swap its regular rocket schedule for a dedicated solar eclipse celebration.
The special event will mark the partial celestial eclipse in Britain using interactive live shows, detailed demonstrations, and spectacular live imagery of the Sun disappearing across giant display screens.
Immersive Horrible Science Exhibition Features and Ticket Bookings
The holiday activities run alongside the venue’s universe-first immersive exhibition, Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos, created in collaboration with Scholastic, BBC Children’s and Education, and Lion Television.
Based on the popular CBBC television series and the book series by Nick Arnold and Tony De Saulles, the ticketed exhibition allows families to explore life-size models of the Beagle 2 Mars lander, handle real lunar samples, and discover the realities of an astronaut’s diet.
Interactive zones within the gallery allow children to try on spacesuits, experience a simulated black hole, and complete their tour by joining an alien disco planet.
Gina Cooke, Public Programmes Producer at the Science and Industry Museum, said:
“We are so excited to be bringing the wonders of space exploration back to Earth this summer.
“Space adventure is the result of incredible human ingenuity, and we’ll be fuelling visitors with wonder through a programme that is inspired by our exhibitions to be is hands-on, entertaining and playful, while showcasing the real science behind exploration and discovery.”
Director of the Science and Industry Museum, Sally MacDonald, said:
“Free and affordable experiences are more essential than ever during the holidays.
“Our summer programme will offer families memorable days out to enjoy together, giving them the opportunity to explore the universe without even leaving Manchester.”
While general admission to the museum is free, entry to the specialised Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition is priced at £10, with family discounts available and children under three entering free of charge.
General admission tickets to the main museum galleries can be booked online via the website here.
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