and there’s so much to look forward to – including a very special event happening on the 11th. The day, which lands on a weekend in 2023, is set to mark the United Nations’ International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
An exciting event that’s now in its eighth year, its main purpose is to celebrate and applaud existing female scientists, while also promoting the industry to future generations. As well as reading all about it on the official International Women and Girls In Science website, why not commemorate it with a fabulously educational day out with the kids?
There are so many wonderful science museums and discovery centres scattered across the North to help capture the imaginations of young minds. Here we take a look at a few inspiring picks from across our network:
If Newcastle is your nearest city, why not head into its heart to check out the impressive Discovery Museum? Easily one of the most fascinating museums in the region (and the first of its kind in the UK outside of London), it has plenty of dynamic and diverse displays spread out across its three floors.
The museum itself is centrally located in Blandford Square and, of course, completely free to visit. Its exhibitions are very much focused on the city’s achievements in the science and industry sectors, so expect a little bit of history on the side too. The Turbinia – the world’s first steam turbine-powered ship – is an unmissable sight in the main entrance hall, while the venue’s Science Maze features a range of fun interactive games for all ages to get stuck into.
Have more time to spare? Combine your trip to the Discovery Museum with a visit to Newcastle’s Life Science Centre just around the corner. The ticketed venue offers an entire village of science-related exhibits and attractions, including a wonderful planetarium, a theatre featuring live shows, and a section where kids can try out all kinds of exciting experiments.
You’ll find the Glasgow Science Centre a scenic 30 minute walk along the River Clyde from Glasgow Central station and surrounded by other incredible attractions. The cutting-edge science hub features countless interactive exhibits which bring to life some of the world’s most amazing experiments and discoveries.
Whether your kids are interested in outer space or they’re more captivated by human anatomy, they’re bound to find something to intrigue them at the Glasgow Science Centre. The centre’s hands-on Explore! experience is particularly brilliant, while there’s a state-of-the-art planetarium that showcases amazing short films about the universe and beyond.
Why not book tickets for the centre’s IMAX cinema while you’re there? It houses the biggest film screen in Scotland and showcases a range of educational films and feature-length movies.
Have a teenage daughter, granddaughter or niece who wants a career in medicine or research? A trip to Edinburgh’s Surgeons’ Hall Museums is an absolute must! Housed in a stunning historic 19th-century building just off the Royal Mile, the award-winning trio of museums are full of fascinating artefacts which aptly trace the history of modern medicine, both in Edinburgh and around the globe.
The venue is split into three main areas: the Pathology Museum, the Surgery Museum, and the Dental Collection. All feature rare and valuable specimens which were once used to teach anatomy to the city’s medical students. Some of the items and instruments you see even date as far back as the 17th century! The museums’ collections are among the most spectacular in the world and a delight for those who have their heart set on becoming a doctor, nurse or scientific researcher.
Prefer to mark International Women in Science Day with something less medical? Dynamic Earth Edinburgh is one of the city’s most visited attractions and an awesome option for younger kids who have shown an interest in learning more about how the world works. Tickets give you access to a range of themed galleries, from those that focus on marine biology and the secrets of the sea to those that look straight up to the skies.
Is the Yorkshire coast a stone’s throw from where you live? Don’t skip a trip to Hull to see its Streetlife Museum. It’s a particularly great attraction if you have any budding young inventors in the family!
The port city of Hull has a rich maritime and industrial heritage which is explored in scientific detail at this intriguing free museum. You’ll find it right on the city’s bustling riverfront and within walking distance of several other key city attractions such as the Hull & East Riding Museum.
The Streetlife Museum’s exhibits and attractions mainly focus on the marvellous inventions and intricate inner workings of the world’s many different modes of transport. You’ll go back over 200 years of locomotive history in the UK, including setting foot in a 1940s tram and enjoying a thrilling ride in a Victorian carriage.
Keen to get out and about with the kids this International Women in Science Day? Remember to buy your tickets in advance online or on the TPExpress app.
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