GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE By Kirk Ramsay Chief Executive Officer, Science Centre

Glasgow Science Centre (GSC) is located in the Govan area of Glasgow The riverside setting for the and was constructed as one of the major Millennium Projects, opening iconic buildings of the science centre creates a spectacular to the public in July 2001. GSC was intended to be a catalyst for image of contemporary Glasgow regeneration in what had been a derelict docklands area of Glasgow for and one that strongly reflects the over 30 years. The area around the science centre has now become the impressive history and current digital media quarter of Glasgow with leading organisations such as success of the city in science, BBC Scotland located on site as a direct result of the science centre engineering and medicine. The buildings include the Science having created a focus of commercial, educational, entertainment and Mall, and the tourist activities in this part of the city. IMAX 3D Giant Screen cinema. The interactive exhibit areas are within the science mall. Glasgow Tower is the tallest free-standing structure in Scotland at 127m high and is unique in that the whole tower rotates from the ground up to face into the prevailing wind. A viewing cabin at the top of the tower offers panoramic views of the city and surroundings. The IMAX cinema shows the latest 3D films and a range of high quality science education films such as ‘Hubble 3D’ which is an excellent way to learn about the Hubble Telescope.

The vision for GSC is: A brighter future for Scotland through science experiences that engage, challenge and inspire.

Given the major social, economic, energy and environmental challenges we face the importance of science has never been greater. Engaging as many of our population as we can in interesting aspects of science that relate to every day life and therefore making science meaningful to each individual is a primary target for us. We do that by creating enjoyable, fun

30 Science in Parliament Vol 67 No 2 Whitsun 2010 experiences that challenge expose us to science, stereotypes of science and engineering and technology in scientists and demonstrate that highly interactive ‘hands-on’ independent of age and ways personalised by our own experience science really is for interests and approaches is all of us. transformative and takes us away from traditional views of Our view is that “kids do not learning about science. come by age, just by size” and we find that parents and grand- We use our science show parents enjoy and learn just as theatres to gives interactive much as the school-age children shows such as: ‘Blood Bile & investigate such issues in direct because the predominant that are often assumed to be Body Bits’ which all about the dialogue with experts in the field outcome of the engagement is the only audience for a science human digestive system, ‘Bang is a powerful way of getting past the personal impact of the centre. or No Bang’ which is about risk the ‘hype’ to the reality, immediate and often or chance, ‘Flame-On’ which particularly when you can test unexpected response that Total admissions to GSC are about fire and combustion, and out some of the key allegations results from our actions that can 450,000 per year including a long list of others. Where else by getting your own hands on be retried, experimented with, 64,000 school pupils who come can you have your hand set on experience to augment the followed up and extended on curriculum-based visits from fire – safely! expert discussion and through our own efforts or their schools. The new demonstration. Bringing facilitator and expert support. ‘Curriculum for Excellence’ Our planetarium offers the members of the public into introduced in Scottish schools best quality star field available to Extending the science centre working proximity with experts encourages more integration of investigate the solar system and experience outside the building from a wide range of disciplines subject activities and ‘learning beyond but also acts as an is an important aspect of our is something that the science outside the classroom’ becomes interesting venue for related work. GSC has an extensive centre does very well. We guard ever more important to give events. During 2009 outreach programme for schools the integrity of our work closely experiences that cannot be International Year of Astronomy and communities that covers all so that the high levels of replicated in the school. We a long list of activities were of Scotland and in the last year confidence visitors have in us is have developed a range of supported. ‘Stellar Sounds’ is a engaged with over 62,000 maintained. programmes in conjunction with series of music events with individuals. Our ‘Bodyworks On teachers to ensure that the fun astronomical interludes under Our main exhibition areas Tour’ exhibition explores the experiences are also meaningful the stars in the planetarium and usually have approximately 400 amazing machine that is your contributions to meeting the has been supported by a interactive, hands-on exhibits in body developing a health and educational outcomes of the number of quality bands. place covering the physical wellbeing theme that is of real curriculum. Learning in informal sciences, medical science, risk & value to all children and adults To celebrate the 40th environments is becoming a ethics, innovation & invention. through exciting interactive anniversary of the first manned widely used term and science exhibits and programmes that Moon landing, Glasgow Science At present we have the centres are excellent exponents can be individually or Centre ran lunar themed ‘Wallace & Gromit Present A of the techniques that lead to competitively applied. Schools activities for the whole family, World of Cracking Ideas’ successful learning in informal always welcome these visits as one of which investigated the exhibition on one of our floors environments. In practice we all high value-add to the curriculum allegations that the moon providing a focus through this do most of our learning outside that produce excitement and landing was a hoax and did not summer for our innovations of school, college and university. motivation as well as desired actually take place. Being able to theme which is a developing Having specialist centres that learning outcomes for the area of interest for all as we see children. As a consequence our the possibilities of new tour programme is usually fully opportunities opening up in booked and further expansion is social, economic and cultural expected to meet the demand. exploitation of innovation from sources throughout our Glasgow Science Centre is population. Again, the key representative of the high quality differentiator is ‘hands-on, image, impact and success that brains-on’ activities that enable align with science, engineering us to see and feel the results of and technology in our society our actions and efforts. The and an example of how we can science centre experience is engage and motivate people to different from most others become informed and active citizens of our knowledge age.

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