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SMITH CENTRE

The Science Museum made digital history ‘It is always a pleasure to this year when Her Majesty The Queen welcome Her Majesty to chose to share her first Instagram post from its new Smith Centre. the Science Museum, and I am delighted that HM The Queen formally opened the centre The Queen has taken the during her official visit to the museum on opportunity to post on 7 March. The suite of rooms replaces the original Smith Centre, which opened in Instagram for the first time’ 2006 and was named in honour of Martin Ian Blatchford, director, Science and Elise Smith. They wanted the museum Museum Group to have a centre for debates, lectures and philanthropy, and a space for our supporters and patrons to use.

During her visit, the Queen inspected Tim Berners-Lee’s NeXT computer with Tilly Blyth, the museum’s head of collections. Berners-Lee used the computer to design the prototype World Wide Web 30 years ago, when he was working for CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, in the late 1980s (see page 20).

However, the highlight of the royal visit was a historic first, both for the monarch and the museum: Her Majesty shared her first Instagram post. She was pictured posting it from an iPad beside the Group director, Her Majesty wrote: ‘Today, I had the Ian Blatchford, and in front of the largest pleasure of learning about children’s painting in the Group’s collection, Electrical computer coding initiatives and it seems Engineering Workshop, by Terence Cuneo, fitting to me that I publish this Instagram which now hangs in the Smith Centre. post at the Science Museum, which has Cuneo, who had been official artist for the long championed technology, innovation Coronation in 1953, was commissioned in and inspired the next generation of 1956 to paint this enormous canvas for the inventors.’ She signed her message: museum’s galleries. Elizabeth R.

The Queen’s Instagram post featured an The Queen’s first tweet in 2014 was also image of a letter from the Royal Archives. sent from the Science Museum to launch It was sent by Charles Babbage, the the Information Age gallery, part of which Victorian computer pioneer, to Prince was guest-curated by Berners-Lee. Albert, the Queen’s great-great- grandfather, in 1843. In the letter, Babbage During her visit, the Queen also told Queen Victoria and Prince Albert announced a major new exhibition at about his invention, the Analytical Engine, the Science Museum: Top Secret: From upon which the first computer programs Ciphers to Cyber Security, which traces were designed by Ada Lovelace. the development of Britain’s intelligence gathering. It opens on 10 July and coincides with the 100th anniversary Above: The Queen inspects the Enigma of the establishment of GCHQ, the UK’s machine with Ian intelligence and security organisation. Blatchford, Group ROYAL director, Hannah Daley, project leader The new Smith Centre was designed of exhibitions at the with the aim of creating a space in Science Museum, which the Group could host meetings, and Tony Corner, historian of GCHQ debates, lectures and conferences, and Above right: The Queen welcome VIPs and Fellows. Designed by and Ian Blatchford, HAT Architects, the centre includes a moments after Her Majesty shared her boardroom, conference suite, grand salon APPROVAL first Instagram post and a space to house permanent objects Right: Martin and Elise and temporary exhibitions. It occupies a Her Majesty The Queen formally opened Smith greet the Queen at the opening of the former 19th-century Royal Mail sorting the new Smith Centre at the Science Museum Smith Centre office with many fine period details, which by sharing her first Instagram post the architects were careful to preserve. RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE

CHAIRMAN’S WELCOME

‘Today, I had the pleasure of learning OUR FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS about children’s computer coding Science Museum, London National Railway Museum, York initiatives and it seems fitting to me Science and Industry Museum, Manchester that I publish this Instagram post National Science and Media Museum, Bradford OUR GLOBAL at the Science Museum, which Locomotion, Shildon has long championed technology, innovation and inspired the next SUPPORT OUR MUSEUMS generation of inventors’ Visit sciencemuseum.org.uk/about-us/support-us AUDIENCE or for corporate membership and patrons see page 59 Her Majesty The Queen THE YEAR ON VIDEO sciencemuseum.org.uk/annual-review-video ‘The idea behind the National Science and Media Museum’s exhibition didn’t just provoke an interesting conversation – it was the catalyst for the BBC trying a new way of reporting the news’ David Sillito, BBC media and arts correspondent

‘I loved visiting the National Railway Museum today. It is a treasure trove of famous locomotives and trains’ David Walliams, writer and comedian I was delighted to see the central role our five museums and collections facilities, SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP Through our touring of science in the economy, culture and our extensive network of advisers, ANNUAL REVIEW 2018–19 exhibitions and education programmes, the influence and promotion of the UK abroad experts and Board of Trustees. © 2019 The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum acknowledged in the 2019 New Year ‘Locomotion is one of County of the Science Museum Honours. There were knighthoods for The Prime Minister recently appointed Durham’s most important visitor Edited by Kate Quill with generous input from staff across the Group Group continues to grow Jeremy Farrar, director of Wellcome; eight new trustees to our Board. All are attractions. There are few museums and its many bloggers nationally and around the Patrick Vallance, the government’s chief chosen purely on merit and for the range scientific adviser; our very own Donald of skills and experience they bring, so it’s that bring the region’s local history Designed by Steve Lancefield world, says Mary Archer to life so dramatically, providing an Brydon, chairman of the Science Museum pleasing to note that, for the first time, Project manager Jessica Lloyd-Wright Foundation, and Ian Blatchford, director the Board will have more women than interactive experience for visitors and chief executive of the Science men. At the same time, we have had to Main photography from Group resources: that appeals across the board to Science and Industry Museum Museum Group. bid farewell in the course of 2019 to six different generations’ National Science and Media Museum trustees who have come to the end of their National Railway Museum/Pictorial Collection Ian’s honour for ‘services to cultural terms of office: Matthew d’Ancona, Richard Michelle Gorman, managing director, Visit County Durham Science & Society Picture Library Science Museum Library and Archives education’ rightly recognises his dynamic Faulkner, Andreas Goss, Michael Grade, Science Museum Photographic Studio leadership of the world’s most significant Simon Linnett and David Willetts. We thank Daily Herald Archive/National Science and Media Museum science museum organisation. Under his them all for their dedicated service to the ‘This museum inspires people about With thanks for additional photographs by: guidance, the Group has grown in size Board and to the Group. what science and industry can do. Alchemy VR, Kasim Asim, Stephen Baxter, Anna Bridson, Burns Rowatt and reputation, led the way in sharing Photography, Dan Clarkson, John Clifton, Pete Dadds, Kieran Davis, our greatest objects, delivered Europe’s Among our new intake of trustees is Peter The Academy is now promising to Benjamin Ealovega, Drew Forsyth, Hugo Glendinning, Nick Guttridge, Jody Hartley, Jennie Hills, Kris Humphreys, Kate Hunter, Jill Jennings, Benedict largest informal education programme, Hendy, chairman of Network Rail, and this take that to a different level, and Johnson, Jody Kingzett, Dominic Lipinski, Jason Lock, Barry Macdonald, started pioneering work to open our brings me to our boldest project of all, Lee Mawdsley, Michael Mckeown, Victoria Miller, Roger Moody, John collection to more of the public through at our National Railway Museum in York will play a major role in building Nguyen, Phil Oates, Dan Oxtoby, Hazel Palmer, Richard Pearson, Kevin a more sustainable and inclusive Percival, Jonathan Perugia, Plastiques Photography, Dan Prince, SMG digitisation and the development of our (see pages 4-5). This museum will be the Digital Lab, Tim Smith, Paul Thompson, Scott Wigglesworth, Kira Zumkley National Collections Centre near Swindon, cultural heart of the large York Central economy in the city region that and toured our exhibitions abroad. development, which has enormous potential Printed by Go Agency, using sustainable paper – Cocoon Silk 100, which everybody will benefit from’ is produced from 100% post-consumer recycled, FSC certified pulp. Less Superbugs: The Fight for Our Lives, to deliver economic growth, jobs and energy and water are consumed and fewer CO emissions are produced which focuses on the global challenge sustainable housing to the city of York. I’m Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, 2 during manufacturing, compared with the production of virgin fibre paper. of antibiotic resistance, will visit China delighted to be supporting this important at the launch of the Group's Academy at the FSC recycled certification, NAPM 100% recycled certification, ISO 14001, and India in 2019 (see page 15). addition to the Northern Powerhouse by Science and Industry Museum Process Chlorine Free (PCF) and PAS 2020:2009 Level 3 chairing the York Central Strategic Board. Top: Fabiola Gianotti, director-general of CERN, It goes (almost) without saying that this In the pages that follow, Ian will explain receives a Fellowship to the Science Museum success rests on the hard work of many how we, through Vision 2025, our most from Mary Archer, Group chairman, at the people: the 1,203 members of staff, 200 ambitious fundraising campaign ever, Cover image: Her Majesty The Queen formally opens the Smith Centre at the Science Museum on 7 March 2019. Photography by Jody Kingzett for Director’s Annual Dinner the Science Museum Back image: Tim Peake stands in front of his Soyuz spacecraft during its 12-week display in Peterborough Cathedral in 2018. Above: Ian Blatchford, Group director, is appointed casual members of staff, 1,108 volunteers plan to turn our York institution into Photography by Jody Kingzett Knight Bachelor by HRH The Prince of Wales and many contractors who work across the world’s greatest railway museum.

1 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP ANNUAL REVIEW 2018–19

‘The Science Museum is a special ‘The best in the world’ ‘The record number of people who ‘The Science Museum Group has place for me. It’s been a tremendous Fabiola Gianotti, director-general of CERN, saw Tim Peake’s Soyuz spacecraft helped to deliver a tangible and privilege for me to be on that stage. describes the Science Museum during her highlights how science and space positive shift in attitudes towards The audience out there were pretty talk at the Director’s Annual Dinner travel continue to inspire us’ engineering careers among young amazing, and you – the Web Foundation Jeremy Wright, Culture Secretary people on which we look forward and the Science Museum – are special. to building in 2019 and beyond’ All of you must be thanked’ Nusrat Ghani, minister, Department for Transport Tim Berners-Lee, founder of the World Wide Web, at its 30th anniversary celebrations in the Science Museum (p20)

HIGHLIGHTS

Inside front cover ON OTHER PAGES The Queen opens our new Smith Centre 11 The legacy of Beagle 2 4 Vision for the Future 15 Touring exhibitions Director Ian Blatchford celebrates 19 Lunar pioneer: Apollo 10 24 An electrifying show our national ambitions 25 Romanov murder mystery 6 We are the place to be 30 Our collection and conservation 32 Inspiring young minds 8 Step inside our closest star 38 Contemporary exhibitions 42 Industrial fabric 12 Wonderlab’s world of wow 43 A name to note 44 Honouring Stephen Hawking 16 Soyuz delights the nation 45 The ultimate human 20 The World Wide Web turns 30 50 Top research 52 Locomotion steams ahead 22 Fantastic festivals 54 Our acquisitions 55 Our loans 26 Stephenson’s Rocket goes north 64 Who wants to be an engineer? 34 An academy for experts 36 Ten years of Lates APPENDIX Our five museums in profile 40 Let the videogames begin 56 Visitor numbers 46 Illuminate dazzles guests 57 Our financial year 58 Our generous supporters 48 An army of volunteers 60 The trustees: who’s who Inside back 61 The Science Museum Group vision 62 Profiles: Science Museum; National Bradford’s pioneering listening project Railway Museum; Science and Back cover Industry Museum; National Science Detail from the M-209 B cipher machine, on display as and Media Museum; Locomotion; part of the Top Secret exhibition at the Science Museum. Tim Peake and his Soyuz in Peterborough Cathedral It was used as a portable cipher machine by the US Army National Collections Centre and in the Second World War and the Korean War Blythe House Collections Store

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DIRECTOR’S WELCOME DIRECTOR’S WELCOME

of the world’s first public steam railway in 2025, and the museum’s own 50th birthday, the National Railway Museum is launching Vision 2025. This is an ambitious plan that will transform the museum site and reimagine how we share the inspirational story of Britain’s railways with visitors. It will mean excellence in education and apprenticeships, and will encourage rigorous debate about the future shape of our railways.

Vision 2025 is at the heart of York Central, one of the largest city-centre redevelopment projects in the UK, delivered in partnership with the City of York Council, Homes England and Network Rail. It is expected to deliver £1.16 billion to the economy, including more than 6,500 jobs, and thus will be a major contribution to the prosperity of Yorkshire and the rest of the country. Fundraising and planning are well underway but unveiling Rocket later this year will be one of the first and most visible signs that Vision 2025 is becoming a reality. ‘The arrival of Rocket in York marks the start Our work at the Science Museum Group of a major renewal for the National Railway is always aimed at benefiting the country Museum, the Group’s greatest priority in at large, not just visitors to our museums. terms of audience development, economic Last year, we opened, thanks to generous An artist’s impression of the support from BP, our Science Museum South Yard at the National impact and cultural balance’ Railway Museum under the Academy, with centres in London and Vision 2025 redevelopment Ian Blatchford, Group director Manchester. This offers research-led training and resources to all those involved in science teaching, in order to inspire the next generation of scientists, One of my greatest pleasures last year only in the history of engineering, but engineers and technicians. We are also was seeing Stephenson’s Rocket return also of economics and culture. committed to ensuring that young to the city where it was built, when it went people’s future in science, technology, on display at the Discovery Museum in Rocket looked so splendid in Newcastle engineering and maths will be Newcastle. It looked magnificent and was that it inspired us to think a little welcoming, inclusive and diverse. a star attraction in The Great Exhibition differently about our exhibits. It reminded of the North, and was enhanced by the the Science Museum Group that we need But perhaps nothing could be more VISION display of original Rainhill Trial archives to do all we can to share our outstanding inspiring to young minds than an actual from the National Railway Museum. These collection across the country. As a result, spaceship, and this year we concluded chart the vital importance of the Rainhill we sent it next to the Science and Industry one of our most successful experiments Trials, the 1829 competition which, thanks Museum in Manchester. In many ways, this in sharing star objects. The Soyuz to Rocket, established the supremacy of also felt like a homecoming because the spacecraft, which in 2016 carried Tim the steam locomotive in the birth of the museum occupies the original terminus of Peake, the first official British astronaut railways and the Industrial Revolution. the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, and to visit the International Space Station, FOR THE Rocket powered across this line in 1830. safely back to Earth, completed its Rocket was saved for the nation from It will stay in Manchester until September tour of eight venues and was seen by dereliction – and even the threat of 2019, when it will move to the National more than 1.3 million people. In each destruction – by the Patent Office Museum Railway Museum in York and will remain venue, the excitement generated by this (later to become the Science Museum) there for the next decade. thrilling exhibit was palpable, and we in 1862. It is sobering to think that this are grateful for the incredible support Victorian icon was almost lost for ever, The arrival of Rocket in York marks the start from our sponsor Samsung to realise because today its fame is global. I was of a major renewal for the National Railway this project. My favourite fact, of all the FUTURE reminded of this when visiting senior Museum, the Group’s greatest priority in copious information and statistics in this As the National Railway Museum in York looks forward to its 50th birthday, Chinese figures from the worlds of culture terms of audience development, economic report, is that during its 12-week visit to it is launching Vision 2025 – a spectacular city-centre transformation and science in Beijing in 2018. They were all impact and cultural balance. Since the Peterborough Cathedral, the church’s well-versed in the history of the Industrial museum opened in 1975, it has been visitor numbers rose by 810%. Even the that will reimagine this much-loved museum and the history of the Revolution, and thought that Rocket was visited by more than 33 million people. pioneers of the railways would have British railways, says Group director Ian Blatchford one of the greatest breakthroughs not As we approach the 200th anniversary been impressed by that.

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1 11 12 1 Ian Blatchford, Group director, with Tim Peake, ESA astronaut, Mary Archer, Group chairman and Peter Dalliston, dean of Peterborough Cathedral, at the opening of Tim Peake’s Spacecraft in Peterborough Cathedral WE ARE THE 2 Mary Archer, Group chairman, presents a Fellowship to HRH The Princess Royal at the Director’s Dinner

3 Broadcaster and scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock speaking at the Science Museum at the launch PLACE TO BE of nominations for the new £50 note

4 Musician Joe Stilgoe and writer Phil Ball in conversation with Jon Milton, Group head of content, at the Science of Music and Mood event at the Science Museum 2 3 4 13 14 5 Fabiola Gianotti, director-general of CERN, at the Director’s Dinner, where she received a Fellowship to the Science Museum

6 Louise Brown, the first person to be born through IVF, is presented with a cake and card on her 40th birthday by Group science director Roger Highfield at the Science Museum’s Birthday Lates

7 Roger Penrose, University of Oxford Emeritus Rouse Ball professor of mathematics, in conversation with broadcaster Hannah Fry at the Oxford Mathematics London Public Lecture at the Science Museum

8 Simon Jenkins, columnist for The Guardian, at the National Railway Museum’s Director's Dinner 5 6 15 9 Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, Roger Highfield, Group science director, and Patrick Vallance, chief scientific adviser to the UK government, at the Science Museum’s Sun Lates

10 Illustrator Quentin Blake at the unveiling of a series of his artworks created exclusively for the Science Museum’s Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery

11 John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, at the National Railway Museum’s Director's Dinner

12 Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell at 7 16 17 the National Railway Museum’s Future Engineers event

13 Musician Jarvis Cocker speaking at the Future Technologies in Music event at the Science Museum

14 Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, at the launch of the Manchester Academy

15 Jo Quinton-Tulloch, director of the National Science and Media Museum, with the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford at the opening of Action Replay

16 HRH The Princess Royal with Andrew McLean, assistant director and head curator of the National Railway Museum, and Judith 8 9 10 18 19 McNicol, director of the museum

17 University Challenge stars Eric Monkman and Bobby Seagull with the Baby computer and volunteers at the Science and Industry Museum

18 Venki Ramakrishnan, president of the Royal Society, in conversation with Roger Highfield, Group science director, at a Science Museum Lates

19 Actor David Walliams visits the National Railway Museum

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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

The year’s autumn blockbuster, The Left: An early Nordic Sun: Living With Our Star, opened at the bronze sculpture depicting the Sun Science Museum in October to reveal being transported the power, beauty and dark side of the across the sky Sun and shed fresh light on our evolving Below centre: A child explores a display relationship with our closest star. Below: An 18th-century French clock featuring From beautiful early Nordic Bronze Age an orrery planetary model of the Sun, artefacts, which reveal ancient beliefs Earth and Moon of how the Sun was transported across the sky, to details of upcoming NASA and ESA solar missions, this groundbreaking exhibition looked at humankind’s dependence on, and changing ‘I am delighted that the Science Museum’s understanding of, our star.

new exhibition, The Sun: Living With Our Star, Highlights from the Group’s collection will engage many more people in the amazing included an astronomical spectroscope science of our Sun’ made for Norman Lockyer – one of the original founders of the Science Museum Jim Bridenstine, NASA administrator – who used it to discover helium in the

‘It can’t fail to change how visitors will feel when they look skywards’ Nature

Sun’s atmosphere in 1868, before going the upcoming space missions that will on to identify its presence on Earth. It allow humankind to touch the Sun for was, therefore, the first ‘extra-terrestrial’ the first time.’ element to be discovered. The exhibition coincided with the 150th anniversary of The exhibition looked at the ongoing work Lockyer’s discovery. to recreate the nuclear reactions that power the Sun. Visitors here on Earth got Also on display was the original orrery, a close to a Tokamak ST25-HTS, a prototype mechanical model of the Solar System, nuclear fusion reactor which successfully Over many centuries people have made for the Earl of Orrery in 1712 to created and sustained plasma for a worked to unlock the secrets of the Sun, STEP INSIDE demonstrate the motions of the Earth record-breaking 29 hours in 2015. and this exhibition explored the great and Moon around the Sun. advances made since the invention of Giving visitors the opportunity to the telescope in the early 1600s. Detailed Dr Harry Cliff, lead curator of the exhibition experience and explore the power of and beautiful sketches, prints, paintings and particle physicist at the University of the Sun, the exhibition featured several and photographs of the Sun reveal the Cambridge, said: ‘The fact that the Sun has interactive experiences. These included important observations recorded by had such a profound influence on the way a huge illuminated wall display that saw artists and astronomers between the we live makes it an incredibly rich subject the Sun rise in different seasons and mid-1800s and mid-1900s, including the OUR STAR for an exhibition, crossing huge expanses different locations around the world, a sunspot paintings of James Nasmyth of time and place. It’s also a subject that sunray art installation, and a digital mirror and photographs by Elizabeth Beckley, Our trailblazing exhibition devoted to the Sun is increasingly relevant to the way we live that let visitors try on a range of virtual one of the first female employees of an examines its profound influence on the way we live now, from the threat of solar storms to sunglasses, including the world’s first pair. astronomical observatory.

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SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS BEAGLE 2

Designers Sam Jacob Studio and Fraser Unfortunately, the expected radio contact Muggeridge Studio ensured the exhibition on Christmas Day 2003 never came. Beagle was instructional but also evocative, 2 was declared lost, and Pillinger sadly reminding visitors of their sensory and died in May 2014 thinking that he had emotional responses to the Sun, and their SPACE merely left a dent in the red planet. awareness of how it regulates time and the seasons. The Sun’s role in our visual and However, Beagle 2’s significance in the artistic language was also crucial. history of space exploration was re- evaluated after the discovery in late 2014 Speaking via a video link at the exhibition’s INVADER of a glinting object in the Isidis Planitia opening, Jim Bridenstine, NASA region by the Mars Reconnaissance administrator, said: ‘Since the beginning The Beagle 2 mission to Mars in 2003 was long Orbiter’s HiRISE camera. The images of civilisation humanity has been thought a heroic failure, until fresh evidence revealed confirmed that Beagle 2 did indeed survive fascinated by the power and influence the landing sequence and successfully of our Sun. Over the last several decades it had deployed successfully. The Science Museum deployed its parachute and gasbags to NASA and researchers from around the is determined to preserve its legacy ‘bounce down’ on the Martian surface. It world have harnessed space technologies appears that the mission had come very to bring us closer to understanding our close to success. star than ever before. I am delighted that To mark the 15th anniversary of the The mission team was led by Colin Pillinger, the Science Museum’s new exhibition, very day – 19 December 2003 – that the visionary Open University scientist Among those who gathered with the The Sun: Living With Our Star, will tell the £45 million Beagle 2 spacecraft was who, in 1997, persuaded the European Beagle 2 mission team members was these stories and engage many more successfully deployed from the Mars Space Agency to include a lander in Judith Pillinger, Colin’s widow. She had people in the amazing science of our Sun.’ Express Orbiter, many of the original its Mars Express mission, and then had thought it a shame that a decision had mission team gathered in the Science to convince the British government to been made not to capture the legacy of Ian Blatchford, director of the Group, Museum to discuss how to capture the underwrite the costs. Pillinger named the mission, simply because it had never echoed the sentiment: ‘Since people first remarkable legacy of the mission. It was the probe after HMS Beagle, the ship generated any scientific data. looked up at the sky the Sun has been a an important conversation, but a long that carried Charles Darwin on his survey source of fascination, awe and inspiration overdue one, because for more than voyage around the world. The Science Museum hopes to remedy and I am sure that this exhibition will a decade the mission had been this. Doug Millard, deputy keeper delight, inspire and amaze visitors of all considered a failure. Pillinger was an effective and charismatic of technologies and engineering at ages when it opens in October. The Sun: communicator. To publicise the mission, he the Science Museum, arranged for Living With Our Star will take people on a The probe, a model of which can be seen asked the science correspondent Roger the acquisition of several Beagle 2 richly visual and action-packed adventure in the Science Museum’s Exploring Space Highfield, who is now science director of developmental models for the museum filled with remarkable stories, people gallery, looked like a giant pocket watch, the Group, to meet Dave Rowntree and Alex and is anxious that other mission records and artefacts.’ with a protective outer casing that would James of the pop group Blur, and report and materials are preserved and made unfold into four solar panels, so that for The Daily Telegraph on their support available for future research and display. Alongside this exhibition the Science Beagle 2 could get to work to hunt for for the project – and the special ‘call sign’ Museum Group and a team of scientists signs of possible life on Mars and identify they had composed for the spacecraft that ‘Beagle 2 was always a highly significant at the University of Reading launched Martian geology, weather and climate. would play when it landed on Mars. mission that needed to be represented in a citizen science project to research our Exploring Space gallery,’ says Millard. patterns in solar storm activity and ‘Its successful landing on Mars only adds ultimately try to improve space weather An early developmental to its importance.’ model of the Beagle predictions. This project has seen 2 spacecraft thousands of images of solar storms analysed and the early results are already looking promising. Further details of the findings will be announced in Manchester, during the next leg of this spectacular show.

The exhibition was supported by Airbus, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, and the Swiss Department of Foreign Affairs.

The Sun: Living With Our Star (sponsored by Bechtel) opens at the Science and Industry Museum in July 2019, where it ‘Curated by the particle is expected to dazzle thousands more visitors, before embarking on a world tour. physicist Dr Harry Cliff The Beagle 2 was declared with intelligent attention lost, and Pillinger sadly to both curious children died in May 2014 thinking Above: Exhibition designers Sam Jacob and and sun-worshipping adults’ that he had merely left a Fraser Muggeridge designed an evocative, sensory experience for visitors The Daily Telegraph dent in the red planet

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WONDERLAB WONDERLAB

‘If Stephen Hawking and ‘Everything about the Northern powerhouse Willy Wonka designed museum is really fun The National Science and Media Museum in Bradford opened its own Wonderlab, the ultimate science and interactive, and designed by Ab Rogers Design, in March playground then it might you just learn so much’ 2017, inviting visitors to step inside go a little like this’ Sofia Cohen-Chavez, and ‘discover the new home of wow’. It launched a new visual identity and name Time Out Wonderlab’s millionth visitor for the museum at the same time.

Wonderlab in Bradford shares much with its London sibling in terms of its design ethos and approach to interactivity. However, its exhibits are also tailored WORLD OF to shine a light on the museum’s world- leading collection of sound and vision technology.

Children are encouraged to think like A MILLION scientists – to touch, play, experiment and take photographs as they navigate their way through more than 20 mind-bending exhibits. They can hear their voices echo through a 15m-long tube, get lost in a WONDERS mirror maze, create art using light, and travel through a laser tunnel.

Wonderlab, our interactive gallery concept, And while a sense of fun and playfulness is inspiring a love of science in a younger generation is key to the experience, it is not the end and has just welcomed its millionth visitor goal. By experimenting, manipulating and exploring, children begin to understand how light and sound are the foundations It is less than three years since the We know that these moments of revelation of the technology they use every day. Science Museum opened Wonderlab: The can be extremely important in planting Equinor Gallery, a pioneering interactive seeds in young minds, and creating the Bradford’s Wonderlab has been a game- space. It’s had a lot to live up to, replacing scientists, engineers, creators and artists changer in the city. Since opening in the much-loved Launchpad, which had who will tackle the big challenges that 2017, the majority of the museum’s thrilled several generations of children. face our world. 718,000 general-admission visitors Wonderlab enjoys not only tremendous have experienced its magic and 50,000 popularity with the public, but has also had What we didn’t know when the gallery Top: Sofia Cohen- education group visitors have been Chavez, Wonderlab’s a powerful impact on the way the Science opened in London is that it would prove millionth visitor, with inspired to see, hear, think and do more. Museum Group thinks about interactive to be just as popular with adults of all her family at the experiences. It welcomed its millionth ages, many of whom are mesmerised by Science Museum The National Railway Museum in York Above, middle row: visitor in 2019 – Sofia Cohen-Chavez, who its sense of fun and openness. As Time Out The hands-on interactive is beginning to plan its own distinctive came with her family, said: ‘Everything put it: ‘If Stephen Hawking and Willy Wonka exhibits at Wonderlab Wonderlab – exploring the principles about the museum is really fun and designed the ultimate science playground appeal to both children of speed, power and motion that drive and adults interactive, and you just learn so much.’ then it might go a little like this.’ Right: A girl experiments our railways – as part of Vision 2025 with colour and light at (see pages 4-5). Wonderlab was built with a singular Part of the reason for the gallery’s success the Science Museum’s Wonderlab gallery vision: to reveal, through hands-on is its design. As an interactive space, it The Science and Industry Museum in experimentation, the building blocks needed to break new ground, but also sit Manchester is to follow suit with its own of scientific theory that underpin the in harmony with the rest of the museum. Wonderlab experience in the longer technology in our collections. Fifty Our London Wonderlab was designed by term, applying the same techniques exhibits spread across seven different Muf Architecture, which chose materials that have proved so effective in zones allow you to see lightning in front and colour palettes that not only created London and Bradford. of your eyes, feel friction in action on a visually sophisticated, beautiful gallery, three giant slides, and experience space but one that both children and adults As we hoped from the start, Wonderlab is travel under a canopy of stars. The would enjoy spending time in. spreading the wonder of science across Tesla coil used in the regular electricity the country – and even across the world demonstrations discharges lightning at Of the million visitors who have (it has inspired a new gallery in Brisbane, 1 million volts (mains electricity in UK experienced Wonderlab, more than a Australia, which is featured overleaf). It homes is 240 volts). third have been free education visitors. is fast becoming a brand in its own right Overall visitor numbers have continued and a standard-bearer for interactivity This authentic, experiential approach to to increase year on year, with tickets in museums everywhere. science embodies the values we hold dear: often sold out during peak periods. to ignite curiosity and reveal wonder. Satisfaction levels are at 98%.

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SPARKLAB TOURING EXHIBITIONS

‘Visitors can step inside ‘We’re hoping to tour more of our SparkLab to test ideas exhibitions in coming years... and find creative ways so next time you’re holidaying in to solve problems – the ON THE a foreign clime you might find a bit very same skills that of Manchester in the local museum’ scientists, engineers Sarah Hanson, touring exhibitions coordinator, and mathematicians Science and Industry Museum use every day’ WORLD Leeanne Enoch, science and arts minister for Queensland STAGE

Touring exhibitions and collaborations allow us to build vital global partnerships and show our work to an international audience Left: SparkLab in the Below: Children Queensland Museum in love SparkLab's Brisbane, Australia interactive exhibits

Above: Members of the Group’s Manchester team with the Hong Kong Science Museum team Far left: Children play with interactive displays at the Wonder Materials: Graphene and Beyond BRIGHT exhibition in Hong Kong Left: Installations were both informative and hands-on, explaining the science behind SPARKS graphene Our pioneering Wonderlab concept has inspired a new gallery in Australia The Science Museum Group’s commitment art and history. Our team provided been awarded a grant from Wellcome to to forge relationships with countries and curatorial support and objects on loan support parallel tours in India and China The Science Museum Group’s Wonderlab engineering and maths form an integral The Science Museum’s support for cultures across the globe grows stronger which highlighted the production and this year. The exhibition team in London concept was always too good to stay in one part of our daily life. The new centre the team in Queensland extended every year. Building on the previous trade of clocks and watches between is co-curating the display, adapting it to country, and in the past year it has inspired has harnessed the expertise of the across every aspect of the project, successes of our touring exhibitions, over Britain and China in the 18th century. The the audiences of each country, working a new gallery on the other side of the Science Museum Group to deliver fun, from content curation and design to the past year we have had several more Group’s exhibits enjoyed pride of place closely with the Guangdong Science planet, thanks to an innovative partnership exciting, hands-on learning in a way that marketing, photography and learning important partnerships with exhibition in the exhibition alongside 120 of the Centre in China and the National Council with one of Australia’s leading museums. is tailored to the Queensland Museum, resources for the gallery. In what was centres around the world. finest clocks from the Palace Museum of Science Museums in India. The its audiences and the Australian school a highly collaborative, consultative in Beijing, many of which will be shown in exhibition will tour four cities in each Members of the talented team that created curriculum. It is hoped that SparkLab will project, the Science Museum sent Wonder Materials: Graphene and a forthcoming exhibition at the Science country. The Chinese show opens in our popular galleries in Bradford and awaken children’s interest in science, several team members to Australia Beyond, our first touring exhibition from Museum in 2020. Guangzhou in July, while the Indian London have collaborated with colleagues technology, engineering and maths as a over a period of a year to share their the Science and Industry Museum in event launches in Delhi in September. at the Queensland Museum, Brisbane, career in the long term. expertise, research, philosophy Manchester, concluded its tour with an In Australia, we built on an existing over an 18-month period to transform its and contacts. impressive 142,200 visitors during its successful relationship with the Our Blueprint Packs, in which we supply existing science centre, based around Speaking at the opening of the gallery, four-month display at the Hong Kong Queensland Museum after the well- content that can be adapted to local the approach they took for Wonderlab Leeanne Enoch, science and arts SparkLab opened to public and Science Museum, which has been a received tour of Collider in 2016–17. Our exhibits, have also provided a prestigious in the UK. minister for Queensland, said: ‘Visitors critical acclaim in August 2018 and the longstanding supporter of our touring team was key in a major redevelopment opportunity to showcase the work of the can step inside SparkLab to test ideas collaboration led to the creation of exhibitions programme. of its science centre, using our own Group. The Blueprint Pack for Superbugs The result is a stunning $9.4 million and find creative ways to solve problems the Science Museum Group’s Cultural Wonderlab galleries as inspiration. resulted in displays opening at the State (£5.1 million) space called SparkLab, – the very same skills that scientists, and Commercial Partnerships team, At the same venue in Hong Kong, we Biological Museum in Moscow, Russia, with 40 interactive exhibits that aim to engineers and mathematicians use which is dedicated to building on the also collaborated on The Treasures of Furthermore, we are delighted that and at the Science Cultural Centre in show visitors how science, technology, every day.’ global impact of our group. Time, an exhibition that blended science, Superbugs: The Fight for Our Lives has Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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SOYUZ SOYUZ

‘It has been a great privilege to host this remarkable exhibition in Peterborough Cathedral. It has also been humbling to see how fascinated people are to see these instruments of 21st century space travel in our ancient, sacred space’ Chris Dalliston, Dean of Peterborough Cathedral

SPACE ODYSSEY The extensive UK tour of the Soyuz spacecraft, which brought Tim Peake safely back to Earth in 2016, has been an astonishing success, surpassing all expectations and drawing in well over a million visitors

The Science Museum Group boasts many and Northern Ireland. In addition, a seen a significant surge in visitors during star objects, but perhaps none in recent national competition to host the capsule the period they have hosted the display, years has quite matched the superstar was won by Peterborough Cathedral, with Peterborough Cathedral reporting a appeal of Soyuz TMA-19M, the spacecraft resulting in new audiences seeing the staggering 810% increase in visitors that returned Tim Peake, Yuri Malenchenko spacecraft in a spectacular and thought- during the time the spacecraft was in situ. Opposite, left and right: The Soyuz arrives at and Tim Kopra safely from the International provoking location. the National Museum Space Station in 2016. Taking off in Sharing key objects in the Group’s Cardiff and is carefully September 2017 on its national tour of the And what a success it has been. We have collection across the country is key to hoisted out Clockwise from UK – which was presented in partnership given more than 1.3 million visitors the director Ian Blatchford’s mission. ‘It is rare above left: Tim Peake’s with Samsung – the Soyuz has landed opportunity to see this iconic object to see the star objects in Britain’s great Sokol KV-2 spacesuit; at venues across the country, inspiring up close, bringing people closer to the museum collections touring the length the Soyuz arrives in Peterborough millions of people by bringing to life the science behind space travel and helping and breadth of the country, and I am so Cathedral; the Revd wonder of space travel. to inspire future generations. pleased with the success of the Soyuz Chris Dalliston, Dean tour to date,’ he said. of the cathedral, at the opening of the display; It is the first time the Science Museum Across four of the Group’s sites in Tim Peake gives a talk Group has undertaken such an extensive Bradford, Shildon, York and Manchester ‘I am thrilled that so many people have had to schoolchildren at tour of one of its star objects, visiting all visitor numbers reached almost half a the opportunity to see this extraordinary the National Science and Media Museum in the Group’s sites outside London as well as million, surpassing the tour’s midway artefact of recent space history and be Bradford; the Space major museums in Scotland, Wales target by 100,000. Tour venues have inspired by Tim Peake’s mission.’ Descent VR experience

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SOYUZ APOLLO 10

‘It’s crucial that children have access to these kinds of resources – it expands their education and interest in STEM subjects, and is key to defining the career choices MISSION TO that children go on to make’ Danielle George, astrophysicist and TV presenter THE MOON

It is 50 years since the Moon landings and The refreshed display includes the the Group has celebrated the anniversary Command Module Simulator instrument with a series of events around Apollo 10, panel, on loan from NASA/Smithsonian, the ground-breaking spacecraft that which has never been shown in the UK; paved the way for this historic mission a new graphic and audiovisual display with and which we are fortunate to have in additional archival footage and imagery; the Science Museum. and, for the Apollo 10 Command Module, a new non-reflective hatch to make it easier The Apollo 10 Command Module carried to look into the capsule’s cramped interior. Peake has been an avid supporter of the Above: Samsung’s NASA astronauts Thomas Stafford, John tour, helping to spread the word ahead ‘selfie spacesuit’ Young and Eugene Cernan (who was also Tim Peake’s Soyuz spacecraft, which has of each stop on the Soyuz’s journey and the last man on the Moon) in May 1969 on now been seen by 1.3 million people on appearing in person at several venues. a lunar orbital mission, the dress rehearsal its UK tour (see page 16), also returned ‘You do become very attached to your for the Apollo 11 landing. to the museum’s Exploring Space gallery spacecraft because it definitely does – a reminder of how Soyuz was originally save your life,’ he said. The 50th anniversary of humankind’s part of a rival Soviet programme initially first steps on the Moon was the perfect intended to put a cosmonaut on the Moon ‘I’m particularly happy that people up Above: The Samsung opportunity to present a new, enhanced by the late 1960s. on 20 July, which is the anniversary of and down the UK now have had the VR Bus outside display for this spacecraft in the Science the Moon landing by Neil Armstrong opportunity to discover more about my Peterborough Cathedral, in which Museum. Through this, we have been Events to celebrate Apollo have been and Buzz Aldrin. Principia mission and space travel, and visitors could enjoy able to show our London audiences how arranged between the end of May and the that the Science Museum Group – with a virtual reality the Apollo 10 astronauts were trained end of the summer holidays, notably with In Bradford, the National Science and the support of Samsung – are doing so experience inside the Soyuz, narrated by and how the lessons learned from their a galaxy of space scientists, including Media Museum celebrates the 50th much to inspire the next generation of Tim Peake mission were vital in making Apollo 11 astronomer royal Martin Rees and rock anniversary in July with a summer scientists and engineers.’ Left: Visitors enjoy the Space Descent and the lunar landing a success two star and astrophysicist Brian May, a exhibition that explores the sound and experience in virtual months later. The landing was the new Apollo IMAX film, volunteer tours, a vision technologies used to probe the The display of the spacecraft is reality headsets in culmination of a programme that cost space-themed Lates and an Astronights cosmos and the extraordinary global accompanied by Space Descent VR – Samsung’s VR Lounge around $25 billion in 1960s dollars. sleepover extravaganza for 600 people media response to the Apollo 11 mission. the Group’s award-winning virtual reality experience designed by Alchemy VR. Narrated by Peake, it simulates the Right: The Command experience inside the Soyuz capsule on Module Simulator its incredible 400km journey back to instrument panel forms part of the Science Earth from the International Space Museum’s new display Station. Presented within a specially This outreach programme includes three following its acquisition by the Group. of Apollo 10 (inset, curated immersive Samsung VR lounge core components: the Soyuz Rocket Show It was announced at the end of last year top right) using Gear VR, the experience has so far delivered at schools with low science that once the tour has finished, the received 50,000 visitors. engagement; a visit for students to their Sokol spacesuit will go on long-term local tour venue to see the display, where display at the National Space Centre, Alongside the tour, Samsung is working they take part in a STEM-themed day; Leicester, allowing even more people with the Group’s learning team to provide and a visit from the immersive Samsung across the country the chance to learn an education outreach programme to VR Bus, the interior of which echoes the more about Peake’s mission and the reach KS3 and KS4 students, targeting design of the International Space Station. science behind space travel. schools and areas with low cultural By delivering science in an exciting and engagement rates, where students may interactive way, along with the innovative The national tour and education be disengaged from science, technology, Samsung technology on board the VR Bus, outreach programme have received engineering and maths (STEM) subjects. this programme has enabled us to reach overwhelmingly positive feedback, with students in a fresh and appealing way. the inspirational experiences both inside Across the eight tour sites the programme and outside the venues helping us to has been delivered to over 20,000 The Sokol KV-2 spacesuit worn by Peake reach diverse audiences at levels far students from more than 68 schools. joined the Soyuz tour in Manchester, exceeding our expectations.

18 19 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE WWW ANNIVERSARY WWW ANNIVERSARY

Smith Centre tribute At a private reception in the Smith Centre Ian Blatchford, director of the Group, to celebrate the web’s 30th anniversary, spoke of our museums’ role in this global Mary Archer, chairman of the Group, invited endeavour: ‘We can take pride in being a Berners-Lee to accept a Science Museum trusted source of robust information both Fellowship in recognition of the scale of on-site and across our digital channels.’ his achievement.

He accepted it to warm applause from the guests present, who included Wikipedia 30 founder Jimmy Wales, Royal Society president Venki Ramakrishnan, astronaut Helen Sharman and actor David Tennant.

Rosemary Leith, founding director of the World Wide Web Foundation, and the wife of Berners-Lee, gave a speech about their organisation’s important work to promote YEARS the web as a public good and a basic right. She received a rousing response from the distinguished guests present when she said that ‘one of the most important things OF THE we can do is to make the web more female’. From top left: Speakers at the event included singer and songwriter Imogen Heap, tech entrepreneur Roya Mahboob, Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, and Stemettes founder Anne-Marie Imafidon

WEB ‘Sometimes people say that without the web Tim Berners-Lee, the engineer and computer scientist “We wouldn’t be alive” or who changed the world for ever, spoke to a huge crowd “We wouldn’t be in love” ’ at the Science Museum to celebrate the 30th birthday Tim Berners-Lee, founder of the of his revolutionary invention World Wide Web

The marine chronometer, the steam engine, television presenters Rachel Riley and In what he called ‘a hometown gig’, The heart of Berners-Lee’s birthday the passenger railway, the jet engine… they Samira Ahmed were among those who Berners-Lee began by recalling his message was, however, serious – and are part of a long list of ingenious British spoke at the event with Berners-Lee, and ‘happy days’ as a child when he explored a call to action. The World Wide Web inventions whose effects were globally discussed what governments, companies the Science Museum to inspect steam Foundation that he began is demanding Main image: TV significant. We can add to them one that has and all of us as citizens need to do to engines and press buttons – a formative that governments, companies and presenter Rachel Riley, transformed almost every aspect of our lives make sure the web is protected for experience that helped to inspire his love citizens come together to build a new World Wide Web founder within recent memory: the World Wide Web. future generations. of science. ‘It is great to be back in this ‘contract for the web’. ‘There is a lot of Tim Berners-Lee, and actor David Tennant museum,’ he said. work to do,’ he told the audience. pose for a selfie at the On 12 March, the 30th anniversary of this Introducing Berners-Lee to the stage at the anniversary event at the revolutionary technology, a huge audience ‘world-renowned Science Museum’, Sadiq After his speech, Berners-Lee sat down Berners-Lee spoke of the stark digital Science Museum Right: Visitors poured gathered at the Science Museum to pay Khan, the Mayor of London, paid tribute for an interview with Samira Ahmed, divide in terms of quality of access to into the Science tribute to its brilliant British inventor, to ‘one of the greatest, most pioneering who asked him if he had any favourite the web and the way it exaggerates Museum’s Energy Hall to Tim Berners-Lee. minds of the past century’. ‘unintended consequences’ of the web. existing inequalities: although half the hear Berners-Lee speak planet is now online, men are on average To an Energy Hall packed with 1,500 Berners-Lee delivered his speech in front ‘A range of things,’ he replied. ‘Sometimes 25% more likely than women to have people, and with thousands more watching of his famous NeXT computer that, thanks people say that without the web “We access to the web and English is the live online, Berners-Lee marked the to the generosity of CERN, usually resides wouldn’t be alive” or “We wouldn’t be in love”.’ language of more than half the content anniversary with a plea for global action to in the Science Museum’s Information on the web, despite accounting for only fight for the future of the web and ‘to think Age gallery. Recalling his supervisor’s And did he ever think ‘there would be so a small proportion of the spoken word actively about the kind of web we want’. memorable ‘vague but exciting’ response many cats on the web?’ ‘I’ve never told across the world. to his 1989 proposal for the World Wide anyone this, but that was the plan all Matt Brittin of Google, Anne-Marie Web, Berners-Lee said: ‘Thank goodness along!’ he quipped, to cheers and Imafidon, founder of Stemettes, and he didn’t write “exciting but vague”.’ laughter from the audience.

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FESTIVALS FESTIVALS

Far left: A collection Left: Tilly Lockey talks of elements owned by about her high-tech Louis Lucien Bonaparte, prosthetic limbs at the which went on display at Manchester Science the Science Museum as Festival THE GREATEST part of ChemFest

The impact our festivals have on their visitors is clear from the feedback the museums receive. In Bradford, visitors SHOWS IN TOWN said the festival made them feel ‘proud’ of their city and that Bradford would The Manchester and Bradford Science Festivals are be a great place in which to pursue a reaching wider audiences than ever before with science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) career. In Manchester, an cutting-edge technology and innovative ideas audience member at the In Conversation: Plastics Action event, organised with the BBC, said they would be making changes Science Museum Group festivals change The headline event You Have Been to their lifestyle, while a parent at Pi: lives. It’s a daring claim, but being Upgraded featured two amputees in its Biggest Eyes to the Skies said they were daring is what our events are all about – line-up, Tilly Lockey and James Young, sure it had set their two young daughters creating experiences that can’t be found who talked about the technologically ‘on a science path’. elsewhere and inspiring a love of science advanced prosthetics they use, alongside in audiences who are too often overlooked panellists such as Manel Muñoz who The wide-ranging impact of these events by other celebrations of the subject. And identifies as a cyborg, and Lepht Anonym, is perhaps best summed up by Susan this was more evident than ever at our who specialises in biohacking. Raikes, director of learning at the Group, 2018 festivals in Manchester and Bradford, who says: ‘Once again, our festivals have which took place at locations across both The Commonplace bus took science out Frontline research proved to be the most innovative, playful cities in order to appeal to as many people into the community, with families enjoying While striving to be popular – the Bradford and high-quality events of their kind. It as possible. They offered a wide range slime-making activities in various Science Festival was visited by 34,500 is always an enormous pleasure to look of activities, demonstrations, games and everyday locations, including a shopping people over two days, and Manchester back on our successes, and the ways in discussions to appeal to every age group. centre and a church. attracted 113,500 visits over 11 days, which our partners have continued to making it the largest science festival of surprise us with new ideas for ways to Accessible to everyone At the Bradford Science Festival, the its type in the country – our events are get more people excited about the At the Manchester Science Festival, the wonders of engineering were celebrated also devoted to cutting-edge science. In science that shapes our lives.’ award-winning Touch the Stars event, with battling robots, a supersonic car and Manchester, the latest ideas and research hosted by the astrophysicist and science ‘Time Lord tech’ from the world of Doctor on topics from AI to music were discussed communicator Matthew Allen, opened Who. The event is proud to attract one of by high-profile scientists, including Jim Al- CHEMFEST 2019 physics up to a new audience by creating the most diverse audiences in the country Khalili, Marcus du Sautoy and Trevor Cox. To celebrate 150 years of the periodic astronomy resources for people with visual for any science festival, reflecting the rich table of the elements in 2019, the impairments. Meanwhile, children from ethnic makeup of the city. Our team also Tomorrow’s scientists Science Museum, V&A, Imperial College Abraham Moss Warriors junior football club worked with a group of adults with special One of the most important aims of our London, Royal College of Art, Royal took over the Pi: Platform for Investigation educational needs to create Disability Lab, festivals is to inspire the next generation Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, for a day, taking on the role of the a series of science experiment films that of scientists and engineers. For example, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Society of scientists and researchers and sharing the were shown on the big screen in City Park Space Descent VR with Tim Peake, which Chemistry and the Royal Institution results of their summer science project. throughout the event. is touring the UK courtesy of Samsung collaborated on ChemFest, a festival (see page 16), encouraged youngsters in of chemistry in South Kensington. The Above, centre: Visitors Bradford to look at the stars and imagine event, which took place during the at the immersive life as an astronaut, while Manchester’s UN’s International Year of the Periodic Distortions in headline immersive experience, Distortions Table of Chemical Elements, included Spacetime exhibit at the Manchester in Spacetime, took visitors inside a black family-friendly activities at the Science Science Festival hole. Back on Earth, the stars of Robot Wars Museum and Imperial College London, Far left: Titan the battled it out live and our 9ft tall Titan the a chemistry-themed Lates for adults at Robot entertains the crowds in Bradford Robot delighted audiences in Bradford. the Science Museum and two one-day Left: Festival visitors academic conferences exploring the take a look at the Winning formula history of chemistry and its future. Science on a Sphere exhibit in Bradford's The Group’s festivals proved once again Wonderlab gallery our commitment to collaboration to A free temporary display was also deliver the most innovative and enjoyable unveiled at the Science Museum to experiences. In the past year, we have celebrate the anniversary. The display worked with a huge range of organisations includes Dmitri Mendeleev’s first from science, the arts, industry and published periodic table, printed education. As a result, Manchester and in March 1869, and a beautiful Bradford offered 200 events, and worked collection of more than 50 elements with more than 160 partners, from artists collected by Napoleon’s nephew, and actors to zoos and universities. Louis Lucien Bonaparte.

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ELECTRICITY THE LAST TSAR

‘We at Russian Railways are very pleased to be able LAST TSAR: to support this exhibition, SHOCK and care deeply about the preservation of our shared ROMANOV culture and history’ Vadim Mikhailov, first deputy chief AND AWE MURDER executive officer, JSC Russian Railways MYSTERY

Science and medicine have cast new light on the last Russian imperial family and their deaths

One hundred years to the day since the Among other rare artefacts on display were murder of Tsar Nicholas II and his family two imperial Fabergé eggs presented by by the Bolsheviks on 17 July 1918, the the Tsar to his wife just a year before the Science Museum announced a new fall of the royal dynasty, as well as photo exhibition about one of the great albums of the royal family taken by their What happens if the lights go off? That mysteries of the 20th century. English tutor, which are part of the Science was just one of the questions posed by Museum Group Collection and have never Electricity: The Spark of Life, the super- Set against a turbulent backdrop of social been exhibited before. charged major exhibition at the Science upheaval and war between 1900 and and Industry Museum in Manchester. 1918, The Last Tsar: Blood and Revolution Ian Blatchford, director of the Group, said: explored the medical history of the Russian ‘This exhibition explores one of the most The exhibition explored how this invisible imperial family and the advances in dramatic periods in Russian history, all force has for centuries captivated forensic science that, more than 70 years through the unique lens of science. Our writers, artists, scientists and inventors, later, transformed the investigation into curatorial team has brought together an and how it has transformed our lives in their disappearance in 1918. exceptional, rare and poignant collection the modern world. to tell this remarkable story.’ From the haemophilia B – a rare blood From early encounters with natural condition passed down from Queen A special Russian-themed Lates wonders such as the aurora borealis Victoria – that blighted the short life of accompanied the exhibition in February. and Luigi Galvani’s experiments (which Tsarevich Alexei, upon whom the future After-hours visitors received a lesson The exhibition was supported by associate inspired Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein), to of the dynasty relied, to the Tsarina’s in making a Fabergé egg, enjoyed a sponsor JSC Russian Railways and media the taming of power for use in domestic At a time when we are more reliant on fertility and the training of the Tsar’s performance of Russian music and partner The Telegraph. appliances, Electricity: The Spark of Life electricity than ever before, the exhibits daughters as Red Cross nurses, the viewed radical art from the period. looked at how humans have wrestled this also invited people to think about our exhibition juxtaposed the family’s reliance elemental force into submission and ongoing relationship with this form of on the latest medical discoveries of the used it to serve us. energy, the environmental impact of time against their misplaced trust in the our choices and what future energy notorious spiritual healer Rasputin. The impressive displays included technologies might look like. a commission from Tekja, the data To celebrate the opening of the exhibition, visualisation artists, which showed the The exhibition was in collaboration with the the museum held an evening reception scale of electricity used in Manchester without mobile phones, or had any Wellcome Collection in London and Teylers with guest speakers Vadim Mikhailov of JSC and the North West, using real data experience using a landline, this charming Museum in Haarlem, the Netherlands, with Russian Railways and Peter Gill, a forensic provided by Electricity North West, the example of analogue technology that support from our major sponsor Shell, scientist, who revealed how the case was region’s power network operator and served an entire community was a our sponsor the Engineering and Physical not only important historically but also ‘to an event partner for the exhibition. source of curiosity and conversation. Sciences Research Council, and our event the development of forensic science and Above: An imperial Fabergé egg presented partner Electricity North West. new techniques to solve crime’. to the Tsarina by the Tsar Another popular exhibit was a traditional Visitors were also able to meet some of Left: Vadim Mikhailov of red phone box that had been repurposed the giants of electricity, including Thomas Visitors to the exhibition were able to JSC Russian Railways, Group chairman Mary to tell stories of the Lancaster blackout Edison, Nikola Tesla, Sebastian de Ferranti examine evidence from the scene of the Archer, Prince Edward, of 2015, when tens of thousands of and Galvani, whose determination to be at imperial family’s execution – from a single Duke of Kent, forensic homes were left without power in the the forefront of electrical invention made Above: Visitors delve into the exhibits at the diamond earring belonging to the Tsarina, scientist Peter Gill Manchester exhibition, which included (top right) and Group director wake of Storm Desmond. For younger them among the best-known scientific an immersive visualisation of electricity use in the to an icon damaged by bullets – and piece Ian Blatchford at the visitors who have never known a life names of their time. city and (above left) a traditional red telephone box together the events of that night. evening reception

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ROCKET ROCKET OUR FRIEND IN THE NORTH ‘Rocket returning to Newcastle really caught The return of Stephenson’s Rocket to Newcastle, the imagination and where it was built, and Manchester, where it stirred up regional pride made its official debut, were moving moments amongst local people’ and attracted thousands of visitors. For this Sarah Stewart, chief executive, Newcastle remarkable locomotive, however, the best is yet Gateshead Initiative, lead partner for to come when it makes its final stop The Great Exhibition of the North

The Science Museum Group is proud to that was seen by millions of viewers. Sarah Stewart, chief executive of the have several items in its collection that Rocket’s journey, together with historical Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, lead changed the world, and one of the most facts and relevant collection items, was partner for The Great Exhibition of the recognised and well-loved is Robert also shared on Twitter to an audience of North, said: ‘Rocket returning to Newcastle Stephenson’s Rocket, the 1829 locomotive more than 160,000. really caught the imagination and stirred that ushered in the railway age. up regional pride among local people Once it arrived in Newcastle, Rocket and there was great excitement following But even we are sometimes taken aback by was displayed, appropriately, alongside its progress from the Science Museum just how enduringly popular it is. For the another star of the steam age: Turbinia, in London to its temporary home at the first time in almost 20 years, Rocket has the 1894 steam-turbine-powered ship that Discovery Museum. Once it arrived, the been on tour, and has spent much of the was once the fastest vessel in the world. enthusiasm continued as thousands of past year drawing in many thousands of Suspended solar shading and night-time people visited to see Rocket back “home”.’ visitors from across the north of England. lighting panels gave an impression of In June 2018, the locomotive began a clouds of steam issuing from Rocket’s rather poignant journey back to the city chimney, visually animating this beautiful Above and right: Top right: Contractors in which it was built more than 150 years locomotive, and giving viewers an Stephenson’s Rocket, in the Science Museum built in 1829 prepare for the ago, going on display at the Discovery impression of how dynamic it must have painstaking process Museum in Newcastle as part of The seemed while in operation. of transporting Rocket Great Exhibition of the North. The Great Exhibition of the North Not many objects need a tailored celebrated railway innovation over four protective jacket and large lifting centuries and included John Rastrick’s equipment to be moved safely, but notebook from the Group’s collection the Group’s conservation team were (the first time it has been loaned) taking no chances with Rocket. They which detailed Rocket’s triumph at went to enormous lengths to ensure the the Rainhill Trials. locomotive was not damaged during its journey to Newcastle, carefully removing Over the 80 days the locomotive was its chimney and 18 unique nuts and bolts, on display, The Great Exhibition of the and closely supervising every stage of North attracted 176,000 visitors, an the movement of the vehicle. 80% increase on the year before. Almost 6,000 schoolchildren engaged with the The BBC's The One Show was on hand to learning programme (a 143% increase record Rocket's journey north, interviewing on the previous year) and social media Science Museum Group experts and content about Rocket reached a following the team on the trip, for a feature 2-million-strong audience.

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ROCKET ROCKET

‘We are excited to be finding ‘Rocket will inspire new new ways to tell these huge generations of visitors stories in the run-up to the to pursue their own 200th anniversary of the futures in engineering’ Liverpool and Manchester Judith McNicol, director, Railway in 2030’ National Railway Museum Sally MacDonald, director, Science and Industry Museum

Right: Rocket takes pride of place in the Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Far right: Inspiring engineers Rocket is unloaded outside the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester Below right: Judith For many, too, the National Railway McNicol, director of the National Railway Museum, Museum will be the place where they Archbishop John Sentamu and his wife Margaret, take their first steps towards a career Group chairman Mary Archer, and Group director Ian Blatchford at the museum’s Annual Dinner in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM). As part of Vision 2025, the Above: An impression of Rocket by our Digital Lab ambitious £55 million project to transform Right: Sally MacDonald, director of the Science and Industry Museum at the unveiling of Rocket the site (see pages 4-5), the museum will in Manchester, with June Hitchen, Lord Mayor play an important role in addressing the of Manchester, and Jonathan Newby, Group UK’s engineering skills gap by doubling the managing director number of schoolchildren coming through its doors and driving visitor growth to 1.2 million. It will also provide interactive and engaging experiences alongside traditional exhibits.

As Judith McNicol, director at the National Railway Museum, says: ‘We have a clear mission – to inspire the engineers and innovators of tomorrow. By making Digital model the world’s greatest railway collection Before heading north, Rocket was accessible and relevant for all, we can 3D-scanned as part of the Group's sow the seeds of future railway ingenuity. Digital Lab, supported by Samsung. The Rocket will join the museum as a potent locomotive was particularly challenging to example of what can be achieved through scan due to its colour, glossy texture and STEM and it will inspire new generations large, complex shape. Eleven hours were of visitors to pursue their own futures spent recording every angle of the vehicle, in engineering.’ taking LIDAR (laser-imaging) scans and more than 2,500 photographs. After six Rocket will initially form part of a new weeks of processing the LIDAR data and exhibition of rare and early model 220GB of photography, a highly detailed Manchester reunion these huge stories in the run-up to the the point at which powered mechanical Rocket convinced investors, politicians locomotives, with the working title of point cloud was produced containing After Newcastle, Rocket returned to 200th anniversary of the Liverpool and rail propulsion came of age. The trials and the public that the railways had Brass, Steel and Fire, before moving to a colour and intensity values for 750 Manchester for the first time in more than Manchester Railway in 2030. were undertaken on the Liverpool and a viable future, spurring nearly two purpose-built location at the entrance of million coordinates. 180 years. This was another moment of Manchester Railway – the world’s first centuries of network construction the museum’s Great Hall. The exhibition historical and emotional significance: the ‘That first day when I came in and saw intercity railway – the construction of and technological development. will examine the creativity of engineering This data was used to create a high- locomotive originally ran on the Liverpool Rocket standing in the entrance hall which presented the opportunity to through 100 years of model-making. resolution annotated 3D model, which and Manchester Railway, so it was fitting looking so dramatic was a really prove that steam locomotion provided The National Railway Museum is fortunate These experimental prototypes helped was published on Sketchfab (the world’s that it should be displayed at the Science emotional moment for me; it really the best form of motive power for the to have a treasure trove of original engineering innovations become reality largest 3D content platform) to celebrate and Industry Museum, which stands on felt like a special occasion.’ railway company’s needs. archive sources and objects from the and were used to test ideas or persuade Rocket’s arrival at the Science and the site of the Manchester terminus of early days of the railways. This includes others of their success. They played a Industry Museum in Manchester. The 3D that railway. The Grade I-listed booking Shaping history Rocket established the basic engineering engineer John Rastrick’s notebook crucial role in the development of the early model enabled audiences across the office and first-class waiting room are Alongside Mallard and Flying Scotsman, design principles that would last until used at the Rainhill Trials, and souvenirs railways. Brass, Steel and Fire will lead globe to examine this iconic locomotive still open to the public. Rocket is one of the few steam the end of steam in 1968. It brought associated with the opening of the visitors through this engineering process, in unprecedented detail, allowing them to locomotives to hold a place in popular together the latest technological Liverpool and Manchester Railway. These involving experimentation and prototyping, peer underneath it and spin the 3-tonne Sally MacDonald, director of the Science consciousness. Because of this, it enables innovations of the time, such as angled items will be displayed alongside Rocket, before they arrive at Rocket – the historic locomotive around. It was celebrated as a and Industry Museum, said: ‘The story us to tell broader stories about the history cylinders, a more efficient multi-tubular giving the story added context and design breakthrough that enabled railways ‘Staff Pick’ by Sketchfab, and the 3D model of Manchester’s role as the world’s of the railways and engineering. Although boiler, a blast pipe and a separate depth. Bringing Rocket to the National to exist as we know them today. It will be has since been viewed 11,000 times and first industrial city is one that is at not the first steam locomotive, Rocket is firebox, to create a mechanically and Railway Museum underlines the place the first in a new programme of exhibitions can also be seen on the Science Museum the heart of our museum, and we are one of the most significant because of its technically superior locomotive. the British railway system had as the that combine dramatic storytelling and Group Collection website. excited to be finding new ways to tell participation in the Rainhill Trials of 1829, Through its successful performance, prototype for global adoption. engineering genius.

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COLLECTION AND CONSERVATION COLLECTION AND CONSERVATION

‘This new facility will transform public access to one of the most significant scientific collections in the world’ Sian Williams, programme director, Science Museum Group

Far left: A volunteer helps Right: A microfadometer, Below right: Cleaning a with digitisation as part which assesses how 1948 camera control rack of One Collection vulnerable materials for the Action Replay Left: A One Collection are to light, in action exhibition in Bradford hazards surveyor at work in the stores at Blythe House

Right: The One Collection team outside OBJECT LESSONS Blythe House, London Reviewing what we have Conservation duties Work has begun on the mammoth task of digitising For over a century we have collected To prepare for the Action Replay and transporting 300,000 items to our new objects, photographs and archive materials exhibition at the National Science state-of-the-art centre in Wiltshire that illustrate the impact of science, and Media Museum in Bradford, the technology, engineering, medicine and conservation team painstakingly media on our world. Work began this year cleaned a unique 1948 camera control This year work began in earnest on for the opportunity to work with your Fifty thousand objects have been on a major review of the Science Museum rack. A sticky brown tar-like substance, the Group's ambitious programme to absolutely fascinating collection. photographed so far as part of the project, Group Collection, which will re-examine the probably caused by cigarette smoke, study, digitise and safely transport more Without exception everyone I met was and thousands of new images of the significance of the items in our care and was removed ahead of the item going than 300,000 items from the Blythe both engaging and enthusiastic.’ collection have been published online provide a greater understanding of the on public display. House object store in London to the for the first time, contributing to over a collection. The review will identify priorities Science Museum Group Collection’s new Following a successful planning million visits to the Science Museum Group for future collecting, research and public In July 2018, the Science and Industry Unusual acquisitions publicly accessible home at the National application and positive response from Collection website since 2017. Audiences programming across the Group and is Museum in Manchester reopened its In September we acquired items from Collections Centre in Wiltshire. local residents, construction began are engaging with the collection in new an opportunity to ensure the national Textiles gallery. A George III half-penny a medical facility in Sierra Leone which at the National Collections Centre in and exciting ways, from reading long-form collection is sustainable and can be coin found in Decker Mill, Manchester, provided care during the 2014–15 Ebola An impressive 140,000 items have updated February 2019. Due to be completed online content exploring materials and enjoyed for generations to come. was cleaned by the conservation team outbreak. From protective clothing used records and have been checked for in early 2020, this sustainable, matter in 2019, to watching a new Group- ahead of going on display. Corrosion by frontline staff to diagnostic equipment hazards since work began in April 2018. operationally efficient facility will set wide YouTube series featuring items not Short summaries about the collection was removed to avoid further and public health awareness materials, this New curatorial research is also increasing new standards for collection care. on public display and discovering objects produced during the review process have deterioration and text on the 1799 coin represents a unique archive from a global our knowledge of the collection, including Designed with public access in mind, from across the collection using the already been published on the Science was revealed. It’s likely the coin was medical emergency. the identification of 200 previously the facility will open for public tours and Random Object Generator webpage and Museum Group Collection website, concealed during construction of the unknown chemical compounds. Items school and research visits from 2023. a new Google Chrome extension. sharing curatorial insights with our mill in 1801 to bring luck. Laboratory equipment used for research from the childhood chemical laboratory online audiences. and quality control at the Horlicks factory of Nobel-winner Ronald G W Norrish have Sian Williams, programme director Ian Blatchford, director of the Group, said: A microfadometer was delivered to has been acquired following the factory’s also been documented, with research and at the Group, said: ‘We are delighted ‘Spending just a few minutes with the Ian Blatchford said: ‘Our goal is to sustain the National Collections Centre’s closure. These items will enable rich social possible display being explored. that construction is underway at the Random Object Generator reveals ordinary, and grow the Science Museum Group’s conservation laboratory in November. and cultural stories of scientific practice National Collections Centre, creating a surprising and wondrous items from across world-class collection so it can be enjoyed, The equipment assesses surface stability associated with a global brand to be told. Volunteers worked directly with the new permanent home for the national the Science Museum Group Collection. explored and used for many years to come. of an object, enabling the conservation collection for the first time as part of collection in Wiltshire. This new facility It’s a hugely enjoyable experience and This review enables us to reach that goal, team to determine how long an item Highlights from the 944 new acquisitions this project. More than 50 (including 11 will transform public access to one the first in a series of tools the Group will ultimately creating a global resource for can be on display before noticeably in the Science Museum Group Collection employee placements) have contributed of the most significant scientific publish to encourage more audiences research and exhibitions while increasing fading. The microfadometer has already in 2018–19 are featured on page 54, 2,000 hours of their valuable time. collections in the world, and we can’t across the world to engage with our public access to the incredible collection been used to study items in the Science or can be seen by visiting Volunteer Ian Thomas said: ‘I’m grateful wait to welcome visitors.’ astonishing collection.’ we care for.’ Museum’s Medicine Galleries. collection.sciencemuseum.org.uk

30 31 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE LEARNING LEARNING

‘One student asked me if what we had said was real, whether we actually do the cool things we had mentioned about our jobs. Seeing their eyes light up was great’ INSPIRING Will, STEM Ambassador, Mission to Mars careers workshops, Manchester

Professional engineers were on hand Science ambassadors throughout the event to talk to children, The Science Museum Group continued answer questions, explain to them what to deliver its exciting STEM Ambassador their jobs are all about, and ensure the programme across three regions in the MINDS programme was accessible and relevant north of England. The STEM Ambassador Another year of innovative events and activities has to everyone. Trans-Pennine Hub, managed by the Group on behalf of STEM Learning, the UK’s engaged children in science and encouraged young people Award-winning gameplay largest provider of education and careers to consider a career in science and technology Easter half term saw the launch of support in the field, connects schools, Learn how to code Treasure Hunters, our new app for families. business and communities in the shared To encourage young people to take an This fast-paced game encourages players goal of inspiring young people to consider interest in programming, the Science to look beyond the most popular items in a career in STEM. Museum is hosting CoderDojo, a free our museums by photographing objects coding class. Developed in collaboration in response to a series of questions and For example, in March the Ambassador with Raspberry Pi, the affordable coding challenges. The game went on to win a Hub and the learning team from the computer, the monthly sessions allow prestigious Lovie Award, in honour of its National Science and Media Museum children aged seven and up to take on contribution to digital media. Treasure worked together to deliver People Like coding challenges, such as game design Hunters was recently translated into five Me, which gave female pupils in Year 8 the and website development, whatever languages so visitors from overseas can opportunity to meet locally based female their level of experience. play it too. STEM Ambassadors working in science and engineering. Young engineers Last summer we unveiled a new online The Future Engineers event returned to game for children, which imagines a town Royal Institution lectures the National Railway Museum in York for suddenly plunged into the dark. Total In December, visitors to the Science two weeks in October and November with Darkness encourages players to reflect and Industry Museum in Manchester a programme of free activities and shows on their personal relationship with STEM were treated to an exclusive livestream for families and secondary-school students. in their everyday lives, solve problems in a broadcast of the Royal Institution’s Just over 29,000 visitors took part in contemporary setting, and recognise that Christmas lectures, Who Am I?, presented activities which imagined the future of rail science is something everyone can be part by Alice Roberts, ahead of their broadcast travel and posed unusual challenges to of. The game challenges players to explore on the BBC (see page 45). The event, children, such as designing a robot railway a town, use their science skills to try to which was aimed at families, adults and making music out of code. There were get the power back on and solve the and young people, sold out quickly. also live performances and demonstrations. mystery of the power failure. So far, Total Future Engineers was funded by the Darkness has been played 147,000 times People's Postcode Lottery, Angel Trains, by people around the world. CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Evershot Rail and Porterbrook. totaldarkness.sciencemuseum.org.uk Our collections, which are an astonishing It is testimony to the Science Museum Design your own den A book at bedtime record of scientific, technological Group’s continuing success as a national Budding young engineers and designers Hundreds of families enjoyed a mass and medical change since the 18th leader in science, technology, engineering were invited to take part in a special ‘bedtime story’ as part of a scheme to century, allow us to build relationships and maths (STEM) learning that over the October half-term experience in boost reading and oral skills in Bradford. with academics and other museum past year we received more than 600,000 Bradford. The National Science and Children and their parents from nine professionals who work in learning and school-age visitors on booked tours, Media Museum teamed up with the hit schools in the area visited the museum education. We held our first seminar making us the most visited UK museum CBBC programme The Dengineers to to take part in reading-focused and looking at how museums can use their for this category. Thanks to an ambitious create a series of free activities centred science-themed activities. The event objects to engage visitors over two Opposite: Pupils in range of events and resources, the around the theme of creating dens, was designed to highlight the importance Bradford tell their days in June last year. Titled ‘Object Science Museum Group has brought which challenged youngsters to solve of reading to young children – and to own graffiti tales at encounters: past, present and future’, the informal science education to a diverse design and engineering problems. present it as an activity the whole family Bedtime Stories event was the result of a collaboration Top: Lauren Layfield range of audiences and age groups can be involved in. with Yusuf Karim, 11, with the Reflexive Engagement Network around the country. CBBC presenter Lauren Layfield hosted whose military coding at UCL Institute of Archaeology. Featuring a live show introducing her favourite It was attended by 1,400 parents and den was selected for 14 speakers, the seminar explored how the CBBC show A snapshot of some of our more dens from the show, which included an children, all of whom came from an area The Dengineers people are exposed to science, imaginative events over the past year amazing ‘military coding den’ designed with complex issues relating to social Left: Industry technology and medical objects and the shows how we are engaging young minds by Yusuf Karim, 11, from Bradford. The deprivation. Many of these families were ambassadors interact different ways in which museums and with children during and helping parents and teachers to museum welcomed 22,000 people over visiting the museum for the first time. We Future Engineers academics can engage the public through keep their curiosity alive. the nine-day event. hope this will be the first of many visits. in York their exhibitions and programmes.

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ACADEMY ACADEMY

‘As teachers we all strive The Science Museum Group Academy offers WHAT IS SCIENCE CAPITAL? to answer the same practical training and Science capital is a measure of your questions. How do I get help to teachers and other professionals relationship to science: what you TEACHING my students to love my working in STEM know about it, how much you value subject? To want to learn communication it, and whether you feel it is ‘for you’. It looks at what influences may beyond the classroom... have shaped your attitudes towards and take up my subject science, technology, engineering THE EXPERTS in their future studies and maths – for example, your and careers?’ experiences of learning about science, Our new Science Museum Group Academy offers your opinions of it, and what science- Andria Zafirakou, 2018 Global Teacher related activities you do, if any. It also inspiration and practical resources to teachers Prize winner, at the launch event looks at who you know in your life and professionals working in science, technology, who uses and talks about science. engineering and maths

The Group is passionate about helping Bringing more than 25 years of training Gyimah said the Academy ‘will equip where teachers learn how to run more The atmosphere during the courses so far educators of all kinds inspire the next experience, and audience and wider teachers, museum staff and STEM effective discussions and build their has been very positive as teachers explore generation, and in the past year we have education research, the Group has been professionals with further expertise to students’ creative thinking skills, while and discuss ideas and enjoy themselves in added an important resource to our leading the development of the practical continue to inspire the next generation’, STEM and museum professionals attending the process. One teacher said that it had learning portfolio: the Science Museum application of the ‘science capital’ (see box, while Ms Zafirakou said it would help our Audience Engagement course can reminded her why she teaches sciences Group Academy. opposite) concept for the informal science teachers in their ultimate goal of inspiring learn how to communicate their work to a – probably our most rewarding piece of learning sector. The Science Museum Group children to ‘to learn beyond the classroom’. diverse range of audiences. feedback so far, and exactly what we want The Academy is an international centre of Academy is the latest result of this work. the Academy to do. excellence for science engagement and The Academy delivers a broad programme A series of other events such as Teacher offers inspirational, research-informed Supported by founding partner BP, the of training courses packed with creative Lates provide further opportunities for The launch of the Academy is just the training and resources for teachers and Academy opened in October 2018 and was and practical ideas. Hubs have been teachers to engage with our learning start of many new opportunities. We look museum and other professionals involved praised by Sam Gyimah, MP, the then UK launched in London and Manchester, programme. The Academy also offers an forward to welcoming our next groups of in science, technology, engineering and science minister, and Andria Zafirakou, with our courses extending across the abundant range of learning resources participants over the coming year and mathematics (STEM) communication ‘the world’s best teacher’ who won the Group’s sites and internationally. Teacher (available online) designed to help course inspiring them to engage young people and learning. 2018 Global Teacher Prize. courses include Science Engagement, attendees apply what they have learned. with the wonders of STEM.

Above: Sam Gyimah MP with Jonathan Newby, Group managing director Left: Sally MacDonald, director of the Science and Industry Museum, at the launch of our Manchester Academy

Above and right: Academy courses are lively and fun, with plenty of student engagement Left: Group chairman Mary Archer, Group director Ian Blatchford, Global Teacher Prize winner Andria Zafirakou, BP Europe president Peter Mather and Group head of learning Susan Raikes at the launch of the SMG Academy

34 35 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE LATES LATES

‘When friends suggest Left: Group director Ian Blatchford, Hu a catch-up, I suggest Pinghua, Chinese meeting at a Lates event. Ambassador Liu Xiaoming, Group THE HOTTEST They would all agree with chairman Mary Archer and the culture me that Lates are one and media minister of the best evenings of Michael Ellis at a adult entertainment and special China Lates TICKET IN TOWN enlightenment in London. It is the dream evening of food for the brain and joy for the heart’ ‘It is a real delight to join Bobby Seagull, maths teacher, doctorate you for the China Lates at student, author, TV presenter and ambassador for National Numeracy the Science Museum. I look forward to a charming and beautiful night of Chinese culture and science with friends old and new’ Liu Xiaoming, Chinese Ambassador to the UK

and maths. The evening saw adults take part in activities adapted from the museum’s popular Future Engineers family event among the dramatically lit locomotives of the Great Hall. There were also live acts, including the science communicator and rapper Jon Chase and the coding advocates Sonic Pi. Attendees Left: Dancing the night could also try activities that brought the away at a silent disco at principles of engineering alive, and dance the Science Museum the night away at a silent disco. Above: Bobby Seagull, far right, with his brother, father In an exciting change for January 2019, the and writer and TV Science Museum followed the lead of our personality Johnny Ball Middle: A Power- Manchester museum and began ticketing themed Lates in the Lates. The Daily Telegraph also came on Science and Industry board as our media partner. Moving to Museum in Manchester Right: Author and a ticketing model for Lates has been a science communicator tremendous success. Tickets were free Jon Chase performs one and could be booked in advance online or of his ‘science raps’ bought on the door. On the first night, the museum hosted more than 4,500 people, all keen to celebrate Chinese New Year in In just 10 years, Lates, our monthly evenings aimed at adult visitors Each month, a fresh theme encourages in the sunshine on specially designed an amazing location that offered so many people to explore the galleries at the end deckchairs, which featured vintage prints exciting activities. looking to relax with a beer and learn something new, have become of the working day. From partnering with from our archive, enjoyed drinks in the one of our most popular and lively events Pride in London on a special sexuality- ‘bee garden’ to the sound of a string The museum also welcomed Liu Xiaoming, themed Lates, to celebrating 70 years quartet and learned how important bees the Chinese Ambassador, his wife of the National Health Service, our Lates are to the world. Hu Pinghua, and Michael Ellis, the culture have touched on a wide variety of topics. and media minister. A troupe of lion It’s 10 years since the Science Museum on to become an established monthly remixed selection of the most popular While the themes change, every Lates In October, Power was the theme for dancers from the London Chinatown embarked on a modest experiment: what diary fixture. Our themed evenings in evenings. The very first Lates in 2008, for is designed to inspire new audiences the Manchester Science Festival Lates, Chinese Association took the group on a if, one evening, the museum opened its the Group’s museums have entertained example, was inspired by an exhibition at through talks, activities and the chance inspired by the exhibition Electricity: tour through the museum, culminating in doors to adult Londoners looking for 405,000 adults over the past decade – the Science Museum on Japanese cars. to see the museum in a new light. The Spark of Life. It featured comedy by our blockbuster exhibition The Sun: Living a fun new way to socialise over a beer, most of them under-35s – and continue To understand the immediate popularity computer programmers Foxdog Studios, With Our Star. Liu praised the ‘festive explore the museum in a relaxed, child- to be very popular. of these evenings, consider that, for that In July 2018, the hottest English and delicious cycle-powered smoothies. atmosphere’ of the occasion, and thanked free environment and learn something first night, our Cultural Events team had summer on record provided the perfect the museum for its ‘continued support’ of mind-blowing at the same time? Our little To mark the tenth anniversary, the set themselves a conservative goal of opportunity to showcase our Manchester Also in October, the National Railway exchange and cooperation in the fields experiment paid off. The evening was Science Museum held a special birthday just 500 visitors; in fact, we ended up museum’s beautiful outdoor spaces with Museum held its first Lates event themed of science and technology between a runaway hit, and Lates quickly went Lates in September last year, with a welcoming 2,000 people. a bee-themed Lates. Visitors basked around science, technology, engineering China and the UK.

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CONTEMPORARY SHOWS CONTEMPORARY SHOWS

‘This exhibition is really important because it shows what IVF was like in the past and what it could be like in UNMISSABLE the future. It’s got lots of information about my birth and it’s fantastic’ Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, speaking at the EXHIBITIONS launch of IVF: 6 Million Babies Later in the Science Museum

Superbabe Connected world Left: Industrious, a bee sculpture by Tim ‘It’s very weird to think I started off life in Over the past 12 months, the National Sutcliffe, at the Science that tiny dish.’ That was how the world’s Science and Media Museum has explored and Industry Museum first ‘test tube baby,’ Louise Brown, referred the trailblazing history of sports Right and below: Testing at the National to her glass incubator that featured in the broadcasting in the UK and the recent Railway Museum Science Museum’s temporary exhibition explosion in the ‘internet of things’, and revealed the secrets of IVF: 6 Million Babies Later. installed a virtual reality experience that prototyping, including a Crossrail Elizabeth transported visitors to the world’s first Line test station The museum was delighted to welcome photography exhibition 180 years ago. Louise to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her birth, just before midnight on Action Replay: A History of Sports 25 July 1978. She joined Roger Highfield, Broadcasting explored the technological our science director, and Professor Roger triumphs that have made it possible for Gosden, an expert in female reproductive people around the globe to experience medicine, for a talk at the IMAX at a special great sporting events live. Roger Mosey, Lates, which was attended by 3,500 people. The evening honoured the birth Let it bee ‘Truly wonderful’ of the reproductive science revolution There was a buzz in the air at the Science Roger Mosey, former BBC head of sport, and the 70th anniversary of the NHS. and Industry Museum last summer, thanks at Action Replay in Bradford to the hugely popular Bee in the City trail The event also served as a birthday party that took place across Manchester. for Louise and other people who were conceived by IVF. Joining the celebrations The council initiative saw more than in the IVF: 6 Million Babies Later exhibition 100 bees placed in locations across the space were fertility specialists, exhibition city, including Industrious, a beautiful curators Connie Orbach and Ling Lee, and sculpture of a giant worker bee – one of members of the public (see page 6). the best-known symbols of Manchester – by the artist Tim Sutcliffe. The artwork Over its five-month run, the exhibition spent the summer in the Upper Yard of drew 180,000 visitors. the museum.

Extending the bee theme further, the museum worked with garden designer Alexandra Froggatt to create a garden in the yard that would encourage bees and butterflies, and built a ‘bee hotel’. Ultimate test Exhibition highlights included the UK’s Experimentation, prototyping and testing first experimental Hyperloop pod By the end of the summer, more than are all a vital – and exciting – part of the prototype, which gave visitors an idea of 3 million people had seen the bees in engineering and science process, but they what high-speed travel could look like former head of sport at the BBC, opened Never Alone: What Happens When Everything their various locations across the city, usually go on behind the scenes, out of the in the future, a high-speed-train testing the exhibition and said it was a ‘truly is Connected? focused on trends and issues thousands of whom also visited the public eye. The National Railway Museum rig and a recreated Crossrail Elizabeth wonderful’ display. around internet-connected devices. Never museum. This helped to boost August decided to open up this world to visitors Line test station. Even the benches at Alone recognised the positive part this visitor figures by 12%. by exploring these practices in relation the station must meet a rigorous set of For Thresholds, the museum welcomed technology plays in many people’s lives, to the rail industry in its recent exhibition design and engineering challenges. the artist Mat Collishaw and a ground- but also investigated concerns over the In honour of Industrious, the museum’s Testing, which opened in October 2018. breaking virtual reality installation. His industry’s access to personal data. contemporary science team continued Testing has pioneered a new style of recreation of the 1839 exhibition of the bee theme for the summer Lates Testing brought people face-to-face with exhibition that makes the behind-the- W H F Talbot’s photographs in Birmingham event, which featured robot bees, technology used in major contemporary scenes thinking in our rail industry Top: Artist Mat Collishaw with Jo Quinton-Tulloch, featured digital imagery produced from director of the National Science and Media Museum, face-painting and sensory beehive engineering projects such as Crossrail accessible to visitors. It was part of Talbot’s images and equipment held by at Thresholds Above: Internet-connected toys at installations. At the end of the summer, and HS2. Visitors were able to step inside the government’s Year of Engineering the museum. Thresholds ran alongside Never Alone at the National Science and Media all the bee installations were auctioned, laboratories and test stations where new campaign to inspire young people to Museum Left: Louise Brown, with the dish in which Immersion, an exploration of 3D and she was incubated, at the Science Museum’s raising a total of £1.1 million for the ideas and rail technologies are put consider science and engineering as other immersive technologies. IVF: 6 Million Babies Later Lord Mayor’s We Love MCR charity. through their paces. a profession (see page 64).

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VIDEOGAMING VIDEOGAMING

Power UP takes place again this year. The event What better way to spend your school also saw high levels of volunteer support, holidays than playing games in our with more than 30 volunteers for each museums? Power UP, an ‘extravaganza of session, many returning year after year. LET THE games’, has been running during selected Meanwhile, income generated by 23,500 school holidays since 2015 at the Science ticket sales in 2018–19 means the Group and Industry Museum in Manchester and can now invest in its own consoles since 2016 at the Science Museum in and screens. London. It boasts nearly 200 consoles, GAMES a PC gaming section and virtual reality Mark Cutmore, the Group’s head of technology, giving visitors access to more commercial experiences, said: ‘Power than 1,300 titles covering nearly 50 years UP is proving exceptionally popular at of games history. There’s also a hands- both sites, so much so we are now able to on timeline demonstrating four decades fully invest in our own equipment – 250 BEGIN of console development, with playable consoles, plus games and accessories versions of the 1970s Binatone Pong – instead of hiring them. This will allow machine, through to the latest us to increase income and deliver Power generation PlayStation and Xbox. UP more flexibly around the Group. The popularity and publicity are supported Developments from the past 12 months by the fact that 100% of visitors to Power include the first autism-friendly games UP at the Science Museum this year knew session at the Science Museum, which about the event ahead of arrival.’

‘This festival is really important and treats the games industry, which is worth about £1.5 billion a year in the UK, with a What goes into making a great videogame? credibility similar to Fans can explore this question at events that host film and music’ notable developers from around the world – with Keith Stuart, bestselling author and plenty of time left over for some serious console action games correspondent for The Guardian

It’s scarcely 50 years old, but the and titles from across the videogames Keith Stuart, author of The Boy Made videogames industry already dwarfs its spectrum, providing gamers and budding of Blocks, and former games editor at entertainment rivals in music and cinema. game-makers with unrivalled access to the The Guardian, said: ‘This festival is really In 2018, videogames outsold both music industry, alongside live shows and events. important and treats the games industry, and films combined in the UK for the first which is worth about £1.5 billion a year in time. It’s an astonishing fact not lost on the Taking place over five days in February, the UK, with a credibility similar to film and Main image: The Science Museum Group, which has long it welcomed its greatest number of music. It helps young people understand Yorkshire Games recognised the creative and technological women speakers to date and had a that some of the biggest, most creative Festival at the National Science and Media brilliance of this fast-moving industry. distinctly international feel, as designers games in the world are made in the UK, Museum welcomed and developers from studios in the and that they can be a part of it too.’ developers from the Two major videogame events already take Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden joined Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden as well place across the Group, and both have their peers from the UK. Delegates were In addition, the Let’s Play family weekend from the UK expanded over the past 12 months: the given a behind-the-scenes tour of games featured a range of new games, interactive Right: The Yorkshire Yorkshire Games Festival at the National such as the Wolfenstein series, the smash- live shows and challenges, plus education Games Festival held many events for young Science and Media Museum in Bradford, hit Dead Cells, and one of 2019’s biggest and careers advice from BAFTA Young videogame fans and Power UP at the Science Museum releases for PlayStation 4, Dreams. Game Designers and Bradford College. in London and the Science and Industry It was also an opportunity to celebrate Museum in Manchester. A new partnership was unveiled as the the great talent from the region, with festival teamed up with BAFTA Young developers from Bradford, Leeds and Yorkshire Games Festival Game Designers for the UK’s first Young Sheffield in attendance and giving talks. This year, the third Yorkshire Games Developer’s Conference, which featured Festival (supported by the City of Bradford 200 pupils from six schools and home In total, the 2019 Yorkshire Games Festival Above: Exploring the Above right: Taking up Metropolitan District Council and the education groups attending activities had more than 7,600 admissions and innovative games the console challenge in the Videogames, at a Power UP event at West Yorkshire Combined Authority) and workshops that covered coding, the recorded a 58% increase in pass sales But… showcase at the the Science Museum showcased some of the greatest talent history of games design and much more. compared with the first event. Yorkshire Games Festival

40 41 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE TEXTILES GALLERY THE NEW £50

‘Part of the reason why we’re here is because INDUSTRIAL FABRIC science is helping to transform the macro- The redesigned Textiles gallery in Manchester tells the economy, the future stories of the people, ideas and machines that turned of finance, and the the city into a 19th-century superpower future of money’ Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of England With its operational mill machinery, The gallery also tackles the difficult topic people being forced to grow cotton. 19th-century photographs and insights of the link between the cotton industry The wealth and success of Manchester’s into the lives of the mill workers, our and slavery in the American South for cotton industry depended on this Textiles gallery has long been one of the the first time, with the display of a cotton appalling system of human exploitation. Manchester’s museum’s most popular gin – a machine that separated seeds and galleries. A recent redesign of the gallery, husks from cotton fibres – that was made Much-loved objects, such as Richard which is housed in our beautiful Grade in Manchester around 1860. The invention Arkwright’s incredible Water Frame, which II-listed New Warehouse, aims to show of the cotton gin in 1793 revolutionised revolutionised cotton production, enjoy Left: Mark Carney spoke in even more vivid detail how cotton the cotton industry in the US, but also led better display positions, while the ever- of the ‘huge heritage’ in the Science Museum transformed Manchester into a city at to the growth of slavery. It is estimated to popular ‘Explainer’ displays, dotted among during his speech to the heart of the Industrial Revolution. have resulted in a million more enslaved the working mill machinery, have been invite nominations for updated to give visitors deeper insight into the new £50 note Among the new objects on display are the birth of the Industrial Revolution. a pair of child-sized clogs, dating from 1870, from Manchester’s Charter Street The makeover of the Textiles gallery Ragged School, a charity that helped the (supported by The Bowland Charitable poorest children. These clogs were lent to Trust and the Zochonis Charitable Trust) children from families who were too poor is part of an ambitious programme of work to afford shoes – but had to be stamped in the run-up to the 200th anniversary A SCIENTIFIC with instructions not to be pawned. of the Manchester site in 2030, which Poverty meant that families would is remarkable for its architectural and consider swapping their borrowed historical significance. The programme shoes for a hot meal. will reveal more of the fascinating stories behind these impressive buildings and NAME TO NOTE the objects they contain, and their role in the development of Manchester and the industrial world. Bank notes – and who is depicted on them taken on new relevance with the rise of Simon Schaffer, Simon Singh and – reflect our sense of national identity superbugs that are resistant to antibiotics.’ representatives from the Bank of England and pride. That explains why last year, in on a committee that has drawn up a the space of just a few weeks, more than On VE Day in 1945, Hodgkin completed the shortlist from the names put forward 225,000 people responded to an invitation three-dimensional structure of penicillin at by the public. from Mark Carney, the governor of the a time when its chemical formula was still Bank of England, to nominate a scientist to the subject of much debate. We have her Aderin-Pocock said she was ‘hoping to be the face on the new £50 note. Carney model of the structure in our collection. see nominations from a diverse and wide made the appeal to the public during a This was just the first of several significant group’ and pointed out the importance of visit to the Science Museum in London contributions she made to science, inspiring the next generation to tackle in November, where he confirmed that including revealing the structures of the ‘deficit of scientists and engineers’ the polymer note will celebrate the UK’s vitamin B12 and insulin. in the UK. achievements in science. When making their nominations, Carney Her own ‘crazy dream’ of a career in The nominations covered 989 people, urged people to ‘think creatively and think space science had, she pointed out, demonstrating the breadth and depth widely about what science means’. He been inspired by childhood visits to the of the UK’s contribution to science. They described the process as ‘an opportunity museum. ‘I used to come here regularly included many scientists whose stories are to celebrate the diversity of UK society’ and see all the amazing science and tech told and whose inventions are celebrated and pointed to the ‘huge heritage in this displayed here,’ she said. ‘It gave me the across the five museums in our Group. museum and, of course, in this country’ desire to aspire to be a space scientist.’ of scientists and scientific discoveries. While it will be for the Bank to decide As well as the face of a notable scientist, the winner, which will be announced this The Science Museum hosted several the new note will benefit from a range summer, Ian Blatchford, our director, spoke high-profile figures to hear Carney’s of technological advances, from fraud for many when he nominated Dorothy announcement. They included Helen prevention measures to features to help Hodgkin for the honour. ‘She is the only Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, and partially sighted people, and material British woman to win one of the science Maggie Aderin-Pocock, the space advances that reduce the carbon Nobel prizes,’ he noted. ‘And her work has scientist. They joined Emily Grossman, footprint of notes.

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STEPHEN HAWKING WHO AM I?

‘I loved working on creating this Perfect Body. I’ve always been a big fan HONOURING of projects which combine art and science’ Alice Roberts, anatomist, HAWKING author and broadcaster The Science Museum was proud to launch the final book by the late Stephen Hawking, the legendary scientist who was such an enthusiastic supporter of our work

‘So remember to look up Stephen Hawking, who died in March The three discussed Hawking’s final Left: Alice Roberts with 2018, had been a regular visitor to the research about black holes, and what it Group science director at the stars and not down Roger Highfield at the at your feet. Try to make Science Museum since the age of eight. was like to work with him, before the event unveiling of the Perfect Over the years we have held an exhibition, ended with an inspiring statement from the Body at a special sense of what you see and celebrations and events in honour great man, recorded before he died using Science Museum Lates wonder about what makes of the world’s best-known scientist, his voice synthesiser – and which could the universe exist’ commissioned a portrait by David Hockney have been aimed directly at the 400,000 difficult and painful, so Roberts followed and made him a Fellow of the Science children who visit as part of education the lead from marsupials and designed a Stephen Hawking Museum, too. So it seemed entirely groups each year: human who gives birth early in pregnancy, appropriate that his family chose the and then keeps the baby in a pouch until museum to launch his final book, ‘Opening up the thrill and wonder of ULTIMATE it is ready to be independent. Brief Answers to the Big Questions. scientific discovery, creating innovative and accessible ways to reach out to the Troublesome knees? They won’t be a The event was attended by two of his widest young audience possible, greatly problem with Roberts’ high-performance children, Lucy and Tim Hawking, and increases the chances of finding and legs. The ostrich gave Roberts the idea introduced by Mary Archer, chairman of inspiring the new Einstein. Wherever HUMAN to move the muscle mass of the human the trustees of the Science Museum Group. she might be. leg upwards and closer to the centre of Roger Highfield, science director, chaired the body – resulting in a shorter, denser this special launch event. ‘And however difficult life may seem, Roger Highfield, science director, challenged thigh – leaving the feet light and easy there is always something you can do Alice Roberts to iron out the scars of to move. Large tendons provide high With them were the co-authors of and succeed at. It matters that you don’t human evolution for a new display shock absorption. Hawking’s final research paper, Malcolm just give up. Unleash your imagination. Perry from the Department of Applied Shape the future.’ Last but not least, Roberts ensured that Mathematics and Theoretical Physics Most of us have at some time wished we The result of Roberts’ improvements, her perfect body can change its skin at the University of Cambridge; Andrew could change our bodies, but perhaps seen in the sculpture designed by the pigment, in the same way as a cephalopod, Strominger from Harvard University; not quite in the way imagined by Alice anatomical artist Scott Eaton and the to suit the prevailing climate. This meant and Fay Dowker – a one-time student of Tim Hawking, Lucy Hawking, Roger Highfield, Roberts, the science broadcaster and prosthetic sculptor Sangeet Probhakar, she would be able to avoid sunburn and its Malcolm Perry, Andrew Strominger and Fay Hawking, now professor of theoretical Dowker at the launch of Hawking’s final book, University of Birmingham anatomist. Her was startling. The model, based on attendant cancer risk in hot weather, but physics at Imperial College London. Brief Answers to the Big Questions Perfect Body – a model of which went on Roberts’ own body, was unveiled at a still absorb plenty of vitamin D in display at the Science Museum last June special Science Museum Lates hosted by low sunlight. – was a response to an unusual challenge Highfield and attended by 150 people. It laid down to her by Roger Highfield, the prompted gasps from the audience, and ‘Art can open up different perspectives on Group’s science director: to design a new even from Roberts herself. At first glance, science, stimulate new questions, and help and improved human body, with all its the ‘improved’ body looks far more alien make the science accessible to a wider evolutionary design flaws ironed out. than human. But once Roberts explained audience as well,’ says Roberts. ‘In the end, her thinking, this optimum Homo sapiens I was happy to stick with my own body, Roberts has often criticised the human started to make a great deal of sense. with all its flaws and glitches. And trying body, which she calls a ‘hodge podge to remodel it demonstrated well how the of assembled parts’. In her view, many Roberts made improvements to several overall bodily structure of living organisms aspects of it function inefficiently or let areas, including the lumbar spine, eyes, represents solutions to multiple design us down as we age, such as our backs, ears, airway, heart and lungs. For each challenges and constraints.’ hearts and knees. ‘It works well – most of improvement, she took inspiration from an the time,’ she says, ‘but there are so many animal that ‘does it better’, ranging from Alice Roberts’ Perfect Body went on incompatible constraints on the design chimpanzees to cats, birds and octopuses. display in the Who Am I? gallery in June of individual elements that some of them 2018. The project attracted widespread end up failing long before each of us The most arresting improvement was media interest and was the subject of a shuffles off this mortal coil – and others to the process of human childbirth. Our BBC Four documentary, Can Science are just plain untidy.’ large-headed babies can make childbirth Make Me Perfect?

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ILLUMINATE ILLUMINATE

Main image and left: The top floor of Illuminate is a dazzling, light-filled room with views across London

Above, left and right: Illuminate hosts the Scientists Meet the Media event, organised by the Science Museum and Royal Society, supported by Wired and sponsored by Johnson LIGHT & Johnson Innovation Right: Level 4 is a blacked-out space that ‘We had a great event. allows hosts control of The food, the audio-visual the creative lighting production, that view across London, and the FANTASTIC feeling of space all Illuminate, our glamorous new private events space added to its success’ with panoramic views across London, is fast becoming Barry Jordan, head of business one of the capital’s most sought-after venues transformation, Royal Osteoporosis Society

The Science Museum is fortunate to be an even bigger and better space, designed One of the most striking visual themes of As Ben Lheureux, head of catering and The Group was keen to offer a streamlined Lheureux. ‘We’ve had organisations book in the cultural heart of South Kensington, by the top architectural practice Wilkinson Illuminate is the contrast between light and events at the Group, explains: ‘Nowhere in package along with this magnificent space, a daytime event in Illuminate, then add one of London’s most beautiful and Eyre, on Level 1 in autumn 2019). The floors dark across two floors. This is illustrated the industry is there a space in a cultural so our exclusive suppliers Moving Venue on a gallery for an evening drinks fashionable districts. Who wouldn’t want had not been updated in over 30 years and in the journey that guests make across its organisation like the Science Museum catering and White Light production can reception. It makes our portfolio more to go to a party there? In view of the the challenge presented to Duggan Morris two levels. Level 4 is a blacked-out space where you can host conferences or awards complete the occasion with delicious food profitable than ever.’ museum’s world-beating reputation and its Architects was to reinvigorate them while that gives hosts control of the creative ceremonies during the day. We have built a and drink, and state-of-the-art audio, prestigious location, the Group has been also respecting the language and history lighting so they can immerse guests in space based on what the industry is looking visual and lighting technology, ensuring According to Jonathan Newby, managing developing a spectacular space that can of the building. a particular mood or brand experience. for and we have built something we think a convenient, cost-effective planning director of the Science Museum Group, be hired exclusively for private parties, By contrast, as they go up to Level 5, the can evolve in the future.’ process for hosts. ‘Illuminate will not only enable us to receptions and conferences on the upper The result is an inspiring and aesthetically room is flooded with natural light from reach new segments of the events floors of the building. After much thought, satisfying experience, in keeping with panoramic floor-to-ceiling windows, which Indeed, an important motive in the Group’s Illuminate, which has been hailed as one of industry, but it will also help the planning and work, we were delighted to the museum’s visually creative ways of offer sweeping views of London’s skyline. decision to create a self-sufficient events London’s top venue openings in 2019 by Science Museum Group to deliver its open Illuminate on 1 March this year. exploring science and innovation. Even This feature has, unsurprisingly, dazzled space was to generate income, particularly Banks Sadler, global event management very ambitious development plans and the colour spectrums and patterns used guests and has been a strong selling point as our sector’s government grants status agency, now sits alongside the Science maintain its position as a world-leading Illuminate is unlike any other venue in in Illuminate are based on the science of for organisations looking to create an remains frozen. Corporate events, according Museum’s portfolio of 12 other galleries cultural organisation. London. Located on Levels 4 and 5 of how particular moods can be evoked by elegant and memorable occasion. to Lheureux, ‘are consistently showing a that can be hired for private occasions, the Science Museum, it boasts glorious interior design. ‘When people enter the strong performance and are a good business and has strengthened the Group’s appeal ‘With the addition of these stunning panoramic views of the city and offers space, we want them to feel the spirit of Illuminate was designed in response to two model for museums as they don’t rely on to the charity and corporate sector. spaces to our already iconic galleries, two distinct entertaining and presentation creation and discovery that the Science demands: a blue-chip venue that would be visitor footfall’. Illuminate can host up to the Science Museum can ensure our spaces. It occupies the site of the old Museum showcases,’ says lead architect available to hire during daytime hours, and 400 guests for dinners and conferences Illuminate has added great value to what events guests have as unforgettable and medicine galleries (which are moving to Mary Duggan. one with an abundance of natural daylight. and 450 people for drinks receptions. the Science Museum has already, says inspiring an experience as our visitors.’

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VOLUNTEERING VOLUNTEERING

promoting the museum in a fresh, word- activities for families with children who of-mouth way through personal insight. prefer a quieter museum experience. At the Science Museum, creative storytelling By involving corporate volunteers, we have and engagement volunteers brought the increased the ways in which businesses Frankenstein Festival to life, while our can support us. This year, Hitachi coding mentors supported young people employees led learning workshops at at coding workshops. Locomotion in Shildon, while Network Rail volunteers re-packed our photographic During Future Engineers at our York collections and prepared The Depot at the museum, and the Year of Engineering National Railway Museum for reopening. Festival, 450 volunteers gave 4,000 hours At the Science and Industry Museum in to run science, technology, engineering Manchester, corporate volunteers helped and maths (STEM) activities at the with the summer ‘bee Garden’, Power museums. Alongside this, our visitor UP and the city’s Science Festival, with welcome and engagement team at the employees from BNY Mellon giving a Science and Industry Museum is now total of 264 hours. providing a friendly and informative introduction to the museum. This year we created new roles aimed at improving the visitor experience. All this has been delivered while In Bradford, ‘Early Bird’ volunteers ran maintaining a museum experience that feels effortlessly professional. This year, volunteers gave 2,500 hours to the Manchester Science Festival and at the National Railway Museum ensured that our model railway ran 362 days of the year.

In the London museum they gave tours to 8,000 visitors and at Locomotion they provided 34,000 visitors with access to our locomotives. Meanwhile, in Bradford our ‘Memory Makers’ – a fantastic initiative that sees older visitors use photographs, films and television programmes from the GIVING archives to unlock memories of life in the past – delivered regular reminiscence ‘My work at the museum sessions throughout the year. enriches my life. I regard it as a privilege to be None of this would have been possible able to volunteer there’ without our amazing volunteer supervisors. In recognition of this, in 2018 we ran our Science Museum Group volunteer, first volunteer management conference, satisfaction survey delivered volunteer management training to 150 colleagues and launched THEIR ALL our Volunteer Supervisor of the Year Main image: Christine, Award, which was won by Anne Sharman, The contribution made by our hundreds of volunteers cannot be overestimated, one of our volunteers, documentation officer, for her answering visitors’ outstanding work with her collections and the Group has been investing in their talents, making the experience questions at the Baby more exciting and rewarding for them – and our audiences computer display in information volunteers at the National the Science and Railway Museum. Industry Museum Above: Volunteers play This year has been a remarkable one document, digitise and rehouse more areas of the museum and provide great a vital role in helping Outside the museum, we have continued for volunteering. We smashed our own than 300,000 objects from London to a development opportunities. to catalogue and to play a leading role in volunteering record, with 1,100 volunteers giving an purpose-built storage facility at the Group’s preserve our collection in the sector. We hosted the Heritage Left: A volunteer incredible 103,000 hours of their time – National Collections Centre. By becoming Through online roles, volunteers can also explains the Volunteering Group’s annual Volunteer a 20% increase on the previous year, and embedded in the project, volunteers have now support us from home. Working with engineering behind Management Conference, which was an 88% increase since we introduced our made a big impact, contributing 4,500 Portsmouth University, our Railway Work, the locomotives at attended by 140 people. Working with the Locomotion volunteering strategy. Furthermore, we hours and increasing the number of Life and Death team have produced a Museum Association, the National Council have created new and innovative ways for objects we have been able to digitise and publicly accessible database of 4,000 for Voluntary Organisations and Agenda people to get involved, transformed the document. Alongside this, we’ve introduced railway worker accidents. Consulting, we conducted the sector’s experience for our supervisors and played volunteering opportunities for employees, first major study into volunteering in 10 a leading role within the voluntary sector. something we’ve also done at the Science Also giving time from home are our years. This work provides the data the Museum through our communications volunteers at the National Science and sector needs to develop its approach to In June volunteers began supporting team volunteer role. Both allow Media Museum in Bradford, who have volunteering and ensures we are at the One Collection, our ambitious plan to employees to learn about different blogged about new exhibitions and events, forefront of the field.

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RESEARCH RESEARCH

Bradford’s National Museum research Medical collections Below left: Science project, also funded by AHRC, is embedded Thanks to support from Wellcome, we have Museum research fellow Hiroki Shin in both the local community and the city’s a particularly lively research community Below: Above the Noise DISCOVERY CHANNELS National Science and Media Museum, devoted to our medical collections, under was part of the research examining how they could be closer. the leadership of Sarah Wade, research for Bradford's National Our museums aim to lead the way in research Museum project Here, Helen Graham, from the University manager. In association with our major Bottom left: in areas ranging from energy consumption of Leeds, is working with museum staff Medicine Galleries project, which will Experimental practice in a demonstration of the ways in which culminate in late 2019 with the opening at the Burden to immersive technologies Neurological Institute research can help our museums get better of a suite of five medical galleries in from a Science Museum at what they do. London, we have welcomed scholars to Group Journal article by undertake a range of research projects Wellcome secondment fellow David Saunders Meanwhile, Hiroki Shin, based in the Group’s on topics including colour-blindness, Dana Research Centre in London, is iron lungs and dialysis machines, human leading the AHRC-funded Communicating remains and culturally sensitive objects Material Cultures of Energy. He is working in our collection. across the Group with stakeholders and public audiences to explore how better Alongside this, Wellcome also supports understanding of our usage of energy a secondment fellowship scheme, under in the past may inform responsible which doctoral or postdoctoral researchers consumption in the future. can extend their research funding to undertake more vocational projects, applying their existing research expertise to the Group’s museums and collections. This year, we have welcomed Hannah Bower to help us to understand the significance ‘Research is thriving at the Science of some of our early modern medical Museum Group in an exciting programme books, which are part of a significant and of funded work, a flourishing e-journal and under-researched library collection of events programme and, most impressive early books. Julia Swallow, who brings her expertise in the sociology of cancer, is of all, in a culture where the “everyday” joining us under the same scheme to help research of team members across the the development of our proposed future organisation is fostered and celebrated’ exhibition on this topic, due to open in London in 2021 before going on tour. Moments in our research year Sarah Dry, historian of science and Science Museum Group trustee In Bradford, in March 2019, the exhibition Above: Yanyue (Selena) These are just some of the research Above the Noise opened, examining Yuan is researching initiatives relating specifically to the how local communities in the city have a science and Key projects Group’s medical collections; from the bypassed established media to tell their technology-themed exhibition for the Group The Group is a partner in several diversity of these projects, we have own stories (see inside back cover). Above right: The Group initiatives: one is Audience of the ‘proof of concept’ for our big ambition: to The exhibition is not only about science, is a partner in the Future, a project to explore immersive become a hub for the medical humanities media and the people of the city, but Audience of the Future project, which explores technologies in areas such as learning, where museum professionals and also part of the research for Bradford’s immersive technologies entertainment and retail, supported by academics can come together to forge a National Museum project. Right: David Rooney £4 million from Innovate UK, the country’s Focus on China lively and continuing culture of research. teaching a class on infrastructure as part of innovation agency. Another is Creative Science and technology in China may be Overseas, in São Paolo, Brazil, Sophie the Science Museum’s Clusters, which is funded by AHRC and the theme of a major touring exhibition in The research department publishes an Vohra, one of our collaborative doctoral MSc teaching for UCL aims to encourage collaboration between the next few years. This year we were able, Annual Report detailing the Group’s students, presented a conference paper the UK’s creative industries and its thanks to a grant from the Department research activities. Please write to on the commemoration of railway This year Science Museum Group trustees With that in mind, we are extending the world-renowned universities. for Business, Energy and Industrial [email protected] for a copy. pioneers at the annual Federation of approved a new research strategy with role of the research department, which Strategy, to start the research for this Public History meeting. the ambitious aim that the Group should will now be explicitly a service department The Group has also taken decisive steps project, employing Yanyue (Selena) become the most research-informed working across the Group. It is moving as an Independent Research Organisation Yuan to research and propose exhibition In the Dana Research Centre, in London, museum group in the world. This is beyond its existing focus on the history affiliated to UK Research and Innovation, narratives. Jing Zhu also joined the team to 16 Masters students gathered round a emblematic of our approach to research: of collections and technology to support the new umbrella organisation for the explore the Group’s existing China-related group of rare early modern scientific that it should be embedded in all our research ambitions in digital, learning UK research councils. Metropolitan objects, which are divided between many instruments to examine their significance museums’ activity, driving the highest- and conservation. Science, a research project funded by of our collections, and which range from as part of their 10-week option in quality content in everything we do. the Leverhulme Trust and linked to the ship models and medical instruments to ‘Curating Science and Technology’. This is already bearing fruit: the Science Science City gallery, which opens this archive photographs. The strategy recognises that there are Museum in London is running a project to autumn in London, is in its second year. The Science Museum Group Journal many kinds of research that go on in research how digital techniques can be Led by Rebekah Higgitt, a historian of The project culminated in an international published a dialogue between Jan Hicks, people’s everyday work practice and combined with scholarship in the display science at the University of Kent, this workshop in the Dana Research Centre archivist at the Science and Industry we plan to reinforce that with a of complex artefacts, using clocks from is an investigation into the themes the – Chinese Science, Technology and Museum in Manchester, and the renowned curriculum of research skills training the Palace Museum, Beijing as the case gallery features: how London, a trading Medicine: Cultures, Histories and Global media artist Bill Morrison, a collaboration to make sure all staff are equipped to study. The project is funded by the Arts city without a university, became a Connections. Details can be found at that arose from their work together on the thrive in our organisation. and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). capital of science. https://tinyurl.com/y5jd5tax exhibition Electricity: The Spark of Life.

50 51 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE LOCOMOTION LOCOMOTION

‘I am always delighted to see so many young people inspired and fascinated RAILWAY by the stories of the railways and the great engineers that created them’ AMBASSADOR Michelle Gorman, managing director, Visit County Durham Locomotion is more than a museum – it is rooted in the place that gave birth to the railways, and its updated collections continue to bring that inspiring story to life

Sarah Price, head of Locomotion Sarah joined as head of Locomotion at the end of August and was the first senior appointment since the museum moved under the management of the Science Museum Group in December 2017. Previously, Sarah had worked at Durham University as head of engagement and learning, where she was responsible for the visitor operations and public programme at all of Culture Durham’s venues. This included working on award-winning programmes such as the Lindisfarne Gospels and Magna Carta exhibitions in Durham University, overseeing the development of the new Durham Light Infantry Gallery and leading the overhaul of the learning programme that resulted in a ten-fold expansion of visits. Since joining Locomotion, Sarah has been taking charge of updating the interpretation across site, reinvigorating the museum’s programme of events and forging stronger links with the local community.

Left: Flying Scotsman visited Locomotion during the Festival of Steam Below left: Recreating the famous British Rail logo on a vintage commuter train Below right: Peering inside the historic carriages in the main Collection Building

The railways were part of a social and the display content, which focuses on the the workshop has been taken by another technological revolution in Britain, and themes of ‘moving goods, moving people electric vehicle, Class 71 E5001, the only few museums explain the history of that and moving forward’. Shildon, for example, preserved example of its class. transformation better than Locomotion, was home to the early railway pioneer, located in the world’s first railway town, Timothy Hackworth, and the Shildon Wagon Older forms of rail travel are, of course, Shildon, in County Durham. The museum Works was, by the 1970s, the largest in celebrated as well. Locomotion’s five- uses its historic setting – Shildon was Europe, employing 2,600 people. month Festival of Steam began in May the departure point for the first steam- 2018 when Eustace Forth, an operating powered train to run on the Stockton Locomotion’s conservation workshop steam locomotive, arrived on loan. and Darlington Railway in 1825 – to honours this proud tradition of engine- Visitors were also treated to a display of demonstrate the social, economic and and wagon-building. This year our spectacular road steam vehicles. In July, technological impact of the railways. team of restorers and volunteers in the the festival welcomed Flying Scotsman, workshop completed the first phase of which, as always, proved enormously Locomotion, which opened in 2004, the restoration of a railway carriage that popular, with 27,000 visitors coming to see became part of the Science Museum will still be familiar to many: the electric the renowned engine in just three weeks. Group in 2017 and work is now underway two-car 2HAP No. 4308, a ‘slam-door’ The event concluded in September with to improve the displays of the vehicles commuter unit that was in service from the annual gala – and the star of the show in the main Collection Building. The 1959 to 1994, and which travelled over 2.7 was Oliver Cromwell, a Britannia-class significance of the site in the history of million miles. It now sits resplendent on the locomotive that pulled the last main-line the railways has been key to rethinking floor of the Collection Building. Its place in steam passenger service in 1968.

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ACQUISITIONS LOANS

WHAT WE WHAT WE ACQUIRED LOANED

Tim Peake’s space food, 2018 Midas XL3 live performance mixing British Railways Class 40 locomotive Orrery planetary model, 18th century In 2018–19 we added 944 objects to Seven recipes, from sizzling sausage console, 2018 D200, 1958 To: New York Historical Society In the past year, the Group loaned the Science Museum Group Collection. to baked apple and the first bacon This console was used by well-known To: East Lancashire Railway, Bury, UK Museum & Library, USA 2,585 objects to 165 different sandwich in space, were developed musicians and bands – including The first of its class, the locomotive Miniature orrery with armillary bands Here are 10 highlights by Heston Blumenthal for British ESA Prince, Björk, Amy Winehouse, The joined six others at the gala event 40s by John Troughton, London. Loaned venues in the UK and 168 objects astronaut Tim Peake to eat during his Who, Coldplay, Madness, Robbie at 60, celebrating its 60th anniversary. for the exhibition Harry Potter: Principia mission to the International Williams and Jay-Z – for live shows A History of Magic. to another 24 venues overseas. Space Station in 2015–16. from its manufacture in 1990 until Here are 10 highlights 2018, when it joined the collection.

White House solar panel, 2018 High Speed Freight Vehicle 1 Letter from Charles Dickens, 2019 Archive related to construction and Arrival of Queen Victoria at King’s Album of ‘Cyanotypes of British Beattie well tank locomotive, 1874 Travelling microscope, 1843 This panel was installed on the White It may not look impressive, but this In 1869 a horsebox laden with parcels test flights of Concorde 002, 2018 Cross Station, c.1852 and Foreign Ferns’, 1853 To: Avon Valley Railway, To: Manchester Central Library, UK House roof in 1979 by President is one of the most significant railway caught fire near Hanwell Station. Fifty years since Concorde first flew, To: City Museum Simeonstift, To: New York Public Library, USA Gloucestershire, UK Loaned for a Manchester Science Jimmy Carter as a public symbol of vehicles of the modern age. Railways Letters of apology were sent to the we have acquired an archive that Trier, Germany These beautiful early photographic This locomotive originally operated Festival event commemorating his faith in ‘the power of the sun to across the globe use technology parcel owners, one of whom was comprehensively documents seven This watercolour painting was loaned works were loaned for the exhibition for 90 years and is still in working the 200th anniversary of the birth enrich our lives as we move away from originally developed by this vehicle, Charles Dickens. Dickens replied that years of test flights, consisting of for the exhibition Karl Marx 1818–1883 Blue Prints: The Pioneering order. It was loaned for the railway’s of physicist James Joule, the our crippling dependence on foreign which can now be seen on display at he 'took the loss with unbroken good 500 plans, information relating Life, Works, Time: Stations of a Life. Photographs of Anna Atkins. end-of-season gala. microscope’s owner. oil’. It can be seen in The Sun: Living Locomotion in County Durham. humour towards the Great Western to the aircraft, meeting notes With Our Star. Railway Company' and signed the and photographs. letter with his customary flourish.

Capacitor with two crocodile clips, Engineering drawings of early Programme for Queen Victoria's Computer and coding kit Pomander, 17th century Zvezda spacesuit, 1991 Napoleon's toothbrush, Europe, Glass bottles containing mauveine, 2018 petrol car engines, 2018 Diamond Jubilee procession, 2018 prototype, 2018 To: Torquay Museum, UK To: Tyne and Wear Archives and 1790–1821 c.1858–60 Equipment made by Geoff Tootill for These drawings from around Priced at 1 shilling, this illustrated This coding kit was developed by Silver pomander, in the form of a Museums, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK To: Wellcome Collection, London, UK To: Victoria and Albert Museum, use during development of Baby, the 1900 were made during the early programme of the Royal Jubilee London-based Kano in 2012. Powered book, with a rat engraved on the side. Made by Sokol and used by astronaut The silver-gilt handle of this London, UK Manchester Small-Scale Experimental development of a petrol car engine procession was published in 1897 in by a Raspberry Pi, the kit is designed Loaned for the exhibition Spanish Flu Helen Sharman. One of a large toothbrush is engraved with Chemist William Perkin created Machine. Accompanied by a at the Strickland and Co works, aid of the Prince of Wales Hospital to de-mystify the inner workings of a and the Threat of Pandemic. number of loans to The Great Napoleon's coat of arms. Loaned the first synthetic dye, mauveine. handwritten note stating it was found established by Major Frederic Fund for London. computer and represents efforts to Exhibition of the North. for the exhibition Teeth. Loaned to the exhibition in the pocket of his lab coat. Strickland for building make computing open and inclusive. Fashioned from Nature. experimental motor vehicles.

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FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS FINANCIAL OVERVIEW: SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL SUMMARY CULTURAL SUCCESS 2018–19 By Jonathan Newby, managing director of the Group

In 2018–19, our Grant In Aid from the Foundation to create a new gallery the North, we did see a downturn Department for Digital, Culture, Media and dedicated to technicians at the Science in trading. This is in part due to the Sport increased to £47.9 million (from Museum. The David and Claudia Harding closure of areas to make way for new £45.2 million in 2017–18). The increase was Foundation has also generously extended galleries and commercial outlets in mainly related to capital projects, while its support for the Science Museum’s the Science Museum. The main shop is the allocation to core activities remained work, and Wellcome’s support has allowed being redesigned to increase footfall stable. One of the major capital projects Superbugs to tour other museums. and the closure for this work resulted in is One Collection, which will relocate a fall in profit. The timing of the touring collections currently stored at Blythe We launched the STEM Circle, a new exhibition programme also contributed House in West Kensington to a purpose- corporate membership programme, which to weaker results. We saw a challenging built facility at the National Collections has attracted its first members, including performance with The Sun: Living With Centre in Wiltshire. Cisco, Bloomberg Philanthropies, BT, Our Star exhibition. However, The Last Tsar MathWorks and Sanofi. We are particularly exceeded targets. The lack of content A very successful year in fundraising grateful to our visitors, who donated in digital format hindered our IMAX saw a £4.7 million increase in donations, £2.7 million across our museums this year. performance, which is being addressed grants and sponsorship to £23.5 million. This income is vital to sustain our museums with the upgrade plans. This included grants and sponsorship in an uncertain funding environment. There towards our new galleries and exhibitions was also an increase in ticket income, Good performance in fundraising meant such as the Medicine Galleries, Science City in part thanks to ticket admissions to that in 2018–19 Grant In Aid represented Jonathan Newby, managing director of the Group, in the Science Museum’s Information Age gallery 1550–1800: The Linbury Gallery, and the Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery. 53% of our total income, a further Special Exhibition Gallery at the Science demonstration of our commitment to THE YEAR’S HIGHLIGHTS and Industry Museum. We are excited Despite strong performances from become more financially sustainable The Science Museum Group attracted a total of the visibility of the museum within York. The total debut of the Soyuz on its UK tour. Performance to partner with the Gatsby Charitable Wonderlab and corporate events in and diversify income streams. 5,210,000 visits during the past year. includes 37,000 visits in education groups (-9%). this year remains ahead of that prior to 2017–18, This was similar to years prior to last year’s record- continuing to reverse the gradual decline The Science Museum attracted 3,168,000 visits, breaking year, which benefited from the Soyuz experienced then. The total includes 38,000 visits in which is level with the previous year. The programme spacecraft tour. education groups, which is level with the prior year. included the exhibitions The Sun: Living With Our Star and The Last Tsar: Blood and Revolution. This Locomotion attracted 153,000 visits overall (-23%). Off-site visits: in total there were the 300,000 total includes 433,000 visits in education groups, Performance was behind the previous year which instances of participation in off-site learning which is at similar levels to the previous year. had benefited from the hugely successful Soyuz activities delivered across the Group; 76,000 visits tour. A transition in programming to more science, to Flying Scotsman as it toured heritage railways The Science and Industry Museum attracted technology, engineering and mathematics-focused and provided main-line services, and more than 1 652,000 visits (-5%). The first half of the year subject matter, along with locomotive events, has million visits to our touring exhibitions – our largest performed strongly. Visits fell compared with the also had an impact on numbers this year. This year's annual attendance since launching the programme previous year due to the highly popular nature of total includes 7,000 visits in education groups in 2014. This was boosted by the tour of the Soyuz the programme towards the end of 2017–18, and (-40%). This was similar to years prior to last year’s spacecraft which was seen by more than 1.3 million SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP INCOME/EXPENDITURE 2018–19 closures of part of the site as a result of the need record-breaking figures, which benefited from the people during its 20-month tour of the UK. for building conservation and maintenance. The total Soyuz spacecraft tour. includes 88,000 visits in education groups (+9%). SMG's digital audience: there were 10.4 million Grant in Aid Fundraising The National Science and Media Museum attracted visits to the Group's websites, below the previous £47.9m £3.3m The National Railway Museum had a very strong year 455,000 visits (-10%). This was in line with year. This fall is due to changes in our reporting attracting 782,000 visits (+3%). This performance expectations as the previous year was the first method and the time taken for the new websites to Trading income Trading costs was helped by the launch of the museum’s new year of the relaunched museum brand, associated establish themselves. We expect these figures £15.4m £13.1m brand and marketing campaign, which increased Wonderlab interactive gallery and the successful to recover in future years. INCOME Grants, donations EXPENDITURE Care for and research 2018–19 and sponsorship 2018–19 into the collection SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP VISIT NUMBERS 2018–19 Total £90.2m £23.5m Total £70.8m £13.8m Rental income Science education Total number of visits to the museums London Manchester York Locomotion Bradford Group £1.0m and communication £27.1m 2017–18 3,178,000 684,000 760,000 199,000 505,000 5,325,000 Other income 2018–19 3,168,000 652,000 782,000 153,000 455,000 5,210,000 £2.2m Visitor services £13.4m

Capital expenditure, Visits in education groups London Manchester York Locomotion Bradford Group including collection 2017–18 429,000 80,000 41,000 13,000 38,000 601,000 additions £27.2m 2018–19 429,000 88,000 37,000 7,000 38,000 603,000

Any anomalies in totals and % differences arise from roundings These charts are based on unaudited financial information extracted from management accounts as at 31 March 2019

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FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS

The financial support of visitors and partners provides critical funding for the Science Museum Group’s core priorities and future plans. We are hugely grateful to everyone who has supported our work during 2018–19

Our supporters have come together over Corporate partners Brunel Circle PATRONS NATIONAL SCIENCE AND MEDIA MUSEUM SUPPORTING THE the last year to enable a wide range of Airbus Max and Julius Aarts Stephenson Circle Trusts, foundations and government Avast Toby Anstruther Maurice G Boddy City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP exhibitions and programmes of work that Bechtel Dr P D Atherton Mr Harry Medcalf Department for Business, Energy and have reached hundreds of thousands of BP John Birkenhead The Michael and Nicola Sacher Charitable Trust Industrial Strategy Do you have a passion for inspiring the people across the UK and further afield. Direct Line Group Dr Stuart and Clair Blackie Wick Moorman Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery DXC Technology Iain Bratchie West Yorkshire Combined Authority next generation of scientists? Does Together we are bringing science, Equinor David and Patricia Buck Gresley Circle your organisation need a STEM-literate technology, engineering and mathematics Eurotech Computer Services Limited Bruce and Jane Carnegie-Brown William N Smith Corporate partners workforce? Or do you want to ensure that to life, creating curiosity and wonder, Google Trevor Carrier Tom and Marie Spence (USA) The Broadway Bradford GSK Dr Grant Castle Francis Townend Surfachem Limited the wider public engage with science and and inspiring the next generation of Johnson & Johnson Innovation Steve Clarke our scientific heritage? If the answer is creative thinkers. JSC Russian Railways Dr John L Collins Hackworth Circle yes, then you have a stake in our mission Lenovo Data Centre Group Darun Dhamija Derek Arrand LOCOMOTION MathWorks John and Elaine Elkington Robert C Arthur Trusts, foundations and government to inspire futures. We can only achieve We thank all the individuals and Nutanix Mr Lyn Flook Bill Berridge Department for Business, Energy and this with your support and hope you will organisations listed below, and those Pfizer Richard Griffin MBE Frank Clough Industrial Strategy consider partnering with us to continue donors who wish to remain anonymous, PwC Mr and Mrs Andrew Griffith Cryptair Ltd Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery QinetiQ Reade Griffith M R Darbyshire our vital work. who have made a significant ReAgent Dr and Mrs Farouk and Afsane Jivraj John F Dixon contribution to this vital work. Samsung The Keniston-Cooper Charitable Trust Mr D A Fagan SCIENCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION By partnering with the Science Museum Shionogi Dr Joanna Kennedy The Flour Mill The Science Museum Foundation is a registered University of East Anglia Dr David Lancaster Richard Harper charity committed to providing resources and Group, you will get to know our work, SCIENCE MUSEUM URENCO Lydia Lee Raymond Harris Esquire advocacy to support the vision and mission of collections and experts better, gain Individual philanthropists, trusts, Wire Broadcast Ltd Dr Sara Levene Dr Ian M Holland the Science Museum Group. insight into how science has shaped the Dr Thomas Leonard Lipski Tom Kolisch foundations and government world we live in, and how it can tackle the Arts and Humanities Research Council STEM Circle corporate members George and Angela Loudon Ian Macbeth Trustees Arts Council England Bloomberg Philanthropies Renato Lulia Jacob Raymond Price Mark Austin pressing issues of today and tomorrow. Art Fund BT Mr & Mrs Iain McIntosh Ian Robinson Mike Blackburn OBE You can help us fulfil our mission, while Cisco Lesley and Arthur I Miller Mrs Sandra Turnbull Lord Borwick of Hawkshead Biotechnology and we support you to fulfil your philanthropic Biological Sciences Research Council MathWorks Ben Monaghan Dean Welbourn Sir Donald Brydon CBE (Chairman) Blavatnik Family Foundation Sanofi Ms Mariela Pissioti Rodney Wilson Professor Richard Clegg FREng FRSC or business objectives in creative and British Council India Dr Neil Reid Dr Bob Cowell tangible ways. Together we will inspire the PATRONS Simon and Kate Reid Edwina Dunn British Embassy In Buenos Aires nation, including your staff, customers John S Cohen Foundation Newton Circle Dr Martin Schoernig SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY MUSEUM Claudia Harding The David and Claudia Harding Foundation The Arah Foundation Sunil and Leena Sheth Trusts, foundations and government Michael Hoffman and stakeholders. DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Lord Archer and Dame Mary Archer Ian & Helen Simm The Bowland Charitable Trust David Jacob Humphrey Battcock Mr David A Trapnell Department for Business, Energy and Ravi Rajagopal Galleries Improvement Fund For further information please contact us Department for Business, Energy and Lord Borwick Alex van Someren Industrial Strategy Dame Fiona Woolf CBE Industrial Strategy Sir Donald and Lady Brydon Paul and Justine Williams Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council at [email protected] Douglas Bomford Trust Clive and Claudia Bush Robin Wilson & Yana Alexandroff Garfield Weston Foundation The Dr Mortimer and Theresa Sackler Foundation Dr Bob Cowell Eric Winkler The Granada Foundation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Mr and Mrs Simon Godwin Dame Fiona Woolf Kirby Laing Foundation Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Switzerland Bridget and David Jacob Players of the People’s Postcode Lottery Felix Thornley Cobbold Agricultural Trust Steve Mobbs and Pauline Thomas Royal Academy of Engineering Fidelity UK Foundation Matthew Peacock and Terri Duhon NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM University of Salford Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust Mr and Mrs Michael G Wilson Individual philanthropists, trusts, Wellcome Gatsby Foundation foundations and government The Zochonis Charitable Trust The Hintze Family Charitable Foundation Galileo Circle David Barclay Horizon 2020 European Union Funding for Mr and Mrs Edward D Baker Department for Business, Energy and Corporate partners Research & Innovation Bridor Trust Industrial Strategy Bechtel Innovate UK The de Laszlo Foundation Friends of the National Railway Museum Electricity North West Ltd Jetliner Cabins Mr Andrew Eland and Dr Pascale Hazel Hornbeam Park Developments Ltd Manchester Science Partnerships The Leverhulme Trust Christopher and Judy Hurrion National Lottery Heritage Fund Renold PLC Linbury Trust The Oso Foundation Players of the People's Postcode Lottery Shell The Lord Leonard and Sean Phelan and Audrey Mandela Siemens PLC Lady Estelle Wolfson Foundation Pi Capital Corporate partners Waters Corporation Medical Sciences Historical Society Lakshmi Rajagopal Angel Trains Ltd National Lottery Heritage Fund Steve Sellers Eversholt Rail Ltd Players of the People's Postcode Lottery Sharpe Family London & Continental Railways Ltd Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 Mr Craig Swick Murphy Group Royal Society of Chemistry Geoff and Liz Varrall Network Rail LNE Route Michael Spencer and NEX Group Porterbrook Leasing Company Ltd Stavros Niarchos Foundation Sylvia Waddilove Foundation UK In-kind supporters Airbus attend the opening of the The Sun: Living Keith Thrower Central Japan Railway Company With Our Star at the Science Museum. From UK Research and Innovation Cross Country by Arriva left: Colin James, Bettina Nerb, Jeremy Close, The Vitabiotics Foundation and the Lalvani Family Grand Central Trains Al Meredith, Cambridge physicist Harry Cliff, Wellcome London North Eastern Railway Helen Pasquier, Science Museum project leader The Wolfson Foundation Rail Media Group Ltd Emma Hedderwick, Gavin Wingate Pearse, West Japan Railways Company Andrew Stroomer, Lynn Sadler

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FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS WHO’S WHO IN OUR THE SCIENCE MUSEUM GREAT SCIENCE ALLIANCE GROUP

THE SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP COMPRISES: OUR DISTINGUISHED ADVISERS Ms Sheona Southern Science Museum, London Professor James Thompson The Science Museum Group is devoted to the history and contemporary National Railway Museum, York Science Museum advisory board (from May 2018 to March 2019) practice of science, medicine, technology, industry and media. For more than Science and Industry Museum, Manchester Mr Steven Underwood (from January 2019) National Science and Media Museum, Bradford Chairman Mr Alex Williams (to March 2019) a century we have innovated and developed, becoming the world’s most Locomotion, Shildon Rt Hon the Lord Willetts (to March 2019) SCMG Enterprises Ltd significant museum group for science, technology and engineering, Members National Science and Media Museum advisory board and attracting more than five million visits annually BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF Mrs Jane Atkinson THE SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP Mr Matthew d’Ancona (to March 2019) Chairman The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum is Professor Dame Athene Donald DBE Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE responsible for the whole of the Science Museum Professor Russell G Foster CBE Group. The trustees, who may number between 12 (Chair from April 2019) Members Heritage, mission and objectives Inspiring futures Strategic priorities – We will: and 20, are appointed by and responsible to the Professor Lucie Green Ms Samira Ahmed Our collections form an enduring record In 2017 the Science Museum Group • Grow ‘science capital’ in individuals Prime Minister through the Department for Digital, Lord Justice Kitchin (from January 2019) Ms Yvonne Baker Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). The director of Professor Ajit Lalvani (from February 2019) Professor Brian Cantor CBE of scientific, technological and medical adapted its strategic approach and and society the Science Museum Group, as chief executive Sir Paul Nurse Mrs Judith Donovan (Observer from February 2019) change since the 18th century. The Group priorities for the period 2017–30. • Grow our audiences and exceed officer, is responsible to the Board of Trustees and, Dr Robert Parker Dr Sarah Dry incorporates the Science Museum, its their expectations as accounting officer, is accountable to DCMS for Professor Simon J Schaffer Baroness Margaret Eaton DBE compliance with the management agreement. Professor Molly Stevens Professor Elizabeth Edwards Library and Archives; the National Railway Vision – A society that celebrates science, • Sustain and grow our world-class Within the framework of their statutory duties as Ms Kersten England Museum in York; Locomotion in Shildon; technology and engineering and their collection stated under the National Heritage Act 1983, the Mrs Sally Joynson the Science and Industry Museum in impact on our lives, now and in the future. • Extend our international reach role of the trustees is to establish Group policy, National Railway Museum advisory board Dr Annette Nabavi review performance and endorse appointments Ms Gillian Reynolds MBE (to March 2019) Manchester; and the National Science and • Transform our estate to key management positions. Their primary Chairman Ms Nicki Sheard Media Museum in Bradford. We have two Mission – We inspire futures by: • Harness the potential of digital activity is to assist the chair in meeting the Mr Simon Linnett (to January 2019) major collections facilities, the National • Creative exploration of science, technical • Increase income Board’s overall responsibilities, in accordance with the policies of the secretary of state, and in Members Railway Heritage Designation advisory board Collections Centre at Wroughton in innovation and industry, and how these compliance with charity law. The Board of Trustees Mr Philip Benham Wiltshire and Blythe House in west London. made and still sustain modern society also offers guidance and expertise on setting and Rt Hon. Lord Faulkner of Worcester Co-Chairmen • Building a scientifically literate society, implementing the strategy for the Group. (Observer to January 2019) Rt Hon Lord Faulkner of Worcester Professor Ludmilla Jordanova (Chairman to January 2019) The Science Museum Group is a non- using the history, present and future of Chairman Dr Ellen McAdam Ms Sarah Staniforth CBE departmental public body that aspires science, technology, medicine, transport Dame Mary Archer DBE Mr Paul Plummer (from August 2018; Co-Chairman from January 2019) to the highest international museum and media to grow ‘science capital’ Professor Clive Roberts Trustees Mr Adrian Shooter CBE (to August 2018) Members standards in the care and preservation of • Inspiring the next generations of Professor Brian Cantor CBE Mr Anton Valk CBE (Chair from January 2019) Mr Mike Ashworth (to December 2018) collections, scholarship, programming, scientists, inventors and engineers Mr Matthew d’Ancona (to March 2019) Mr Christian Wolmar Mr Edmund Bird (from December 2018) learning and advocacy for our subject areas. Mrs Judith Donovan (from February 2019) Dr David Brown Dr Sarah Dry Mr Ian Brown CBE Rt Hon Lord Faulkner of Worcester Science and Industry Museum advisory board Mr Neil Butters (to January 2019) Mr Ian Gilbert (from December 2018) Miss Sharon Flood Chairman Ms Elizabeth Hallam Smith Professor Russell G Foster CBE Rt Hon Lord Faulkner of Worcester (to January 2019) Mr Mark Hopwood Mr Andreas J Goss Ms Louise Innes Lord Grade of Yarmouth CBE Members Dr David Jenkins Professor Ludmilla Jordanova Mr Mark Ball (from May 2018) Mr Mike Lamport ‘I used to come to the Science Museum Professor Ajit Lalvani (from February 2019) Mr David Brown Mr Simon Linnett (Observer to January 2019) Mr Simon Linnett (to January 2019) Ms Clare Hudson Mr Andrew McLean regularly and see all the amazing science Mr Iain McIntosh (from August 2018) Mr Steve Johnson (to August 2018) Mr Peter Ovenstone Mrs Lopa Patel MBE Sir Richard Leese CBE (to July 2018) Mr Andy Savage and tech displayed here. It gave me the Professor David A Phoenix OBE Professor Andy Miah Ms Vicky Stretch desire to aspire to be a space scientist’ Ms Sarah Staniforth CBE (from August 2018) Rt Hon Baroness Morris Mr Anton Valk CBE Mr Steven Underwood (from August 2018) Dr Erinma Ochu (to September 2018) Maggie Aderin-Pocock, scientist and broadcaster Mr Anton Valk CBE Mrs Lopa Patel MBE Rt Hon the Lord Willetts (to March 2019) Professor David A Phoenix OBE Serving during the financial year Dame Fiona Woolf CBE (Chair from January 2019) April 2018 to April 2019

NEW FELLOWS OF THE SCIENCE MUSEUM The Science Museum Fellows Programme Sir Tim Berners-Lee in recognition of his great Lady Anya Sainsbury in recognition of her recognises scientists and individuals who have distinction in pioneering a technological innovation, contribution to the cultural sector and the changed our world through academic research, the World Wide Web, which continues to benefit Science Museum Group and, in particular, design, technology and philanthropy. people all over the world, and his continued her help in shaping the vision of Science City THE CHARITY support of the Science Museum Group. 1550–1800: The Linbury Gallery. Tim Peake's radio Sir Neil Cossons in recognition of an outstanding The Board of Trustees of the Science headset used with record of promoting Britain’s scientific, Dr Fabiola Gianotti in recognition of her Sir Kenneth Grange in recognition of a Museum was established under the National his Sokol KV-2 engineering and industrial heritage. distinguished contribution to the advancement of distinguished career in design, which has Heritage Act 1983. The Science Museum emergency suit during physics education and dedication to encouraging helped to shape the industrial future of the the Principia mission female leadership positions in science, technology, modern world, and of his continued support Group is an exempt charity under the Third to the International engineering and mathematics. of the National Railway Museum. Schedule of the Charities Act 2011. Space Station, 2016

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FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS FIVE WORLD-BEATING MUSEUMS SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP SCIENCE MUSEUM GROUP LONDON, YORK, MANCHESTER BRADFORD, SHILDON, WROUGHTON

SCIENCE MUSEUM NATIONAL RAILWAY SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY NATIONAL SCIENCE LOCOMOTION NATIONAL MUSEUM MUSEUM AND MEDIA MUSEUM COLLECTIONS CENTRE

Director: Ian Blatchford Director: Judith McNicol Director: Sally MacDonald Director: Jo Quinton-Tulloch Head: Sarah Price Wroughton SN4 9LT Exhibition Road Leeman Road Liverpool Road, Castlefield Pictureville Dale Road (Pre-booked research visitors only) London SW7 2DD York YO26 4XJ Manchester M3 4FP Bradford BD1 1NQ Shildon DL4 2RE sciencemuseum.org.uk railwaymuseum.org.uk scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk locomotion.org.uk The Science Museum Group’s site in Wiltshire was founded in 1979 on a 545- Heritage Heritage Heritage Heritage Heritage acre former airfield. It houses a superb Tracing its origins from the Great The National Railway Museum in York The Science and Industry Museum tells At the National Science and Media Based in the world’s first railway town, range of large artefacts – such as the Exhibition of 1851, the Science Museum houses the world’s greatest collection of the story of where science met industry Museum, in the heart of Bradford, we Shildon in County Durham, Locomotion world’s first hovercraft and an early has pioneered interactive science railway items and objects from the past and the modern world began. Manchester explore the science and culture of offers visitors the opportunity to see robotic arm used in manufacturing – as interpretation for more than eight decades 200 years. Set in former railway buildings was one of the first global, industrial image and sound technologies and more than 70 vehicles from the national well as the Science Museum’s Library and and is the most visited museum in the UK close to York Station, the museum attracts cities, and its epic rise, decline and their impact on our lives. collection. Highlights include the prototype Archives. In February 2019 construction by school groups. Among key objects on visitors from around the world and tells resurrection has been echoed in countless Deltic, British Rail’s Advanced Passenger started on our new collections display are Stephenson’s steam engine inspiring stories of railway history and other cities around the world. From textiles Our galleries and exhibition spaces Train and the iconic LNER locomotive No. management facility. By 2023 the facility Rocket (1829), Alan Turing’s Pilot ACE engineering. It has an unrivalled collection to computers, the objects and documents help us illuminate world-famous 4771 Green Arrow. Locomotion’s workshop will become home to more than 300,000 computer (1950) and the Apollo 10 capsule of famous locomotives and royal carriages held in the museum’s collection tell collections in photography, film and carries out a range of restoration projects historic items, providing stable conditions that went into lunar orbit in 1969. and has a busy programme of learning stories of everyday life over the last 200 television. Our team of Explainers which visitors can watch from a purpose- for their long-term care and greatly activities, exhibitions and events. years, from light bulbs to locomotives. The creates learning activities that fuel the built viewing platform. This year the team increased public access to the collection. Our Library and Archives include rare museum’s vision is to inspire all its visitors, imagination and get under the skin of completed the restoration of a 2HAP EMU, and significant items such as the first Vision 2025 including future scientists and inventors, our collections and exhibitions. And the most-travelled unit in the National printed translation and commentary of As the National Railway Museum approaches with the story of how ideas can change our three cinema screens – including Railway Museum collection, which is now BLYTHE HOUSE Ptolemy’s Almagest and Charles Babbage’s its 50th anniversary, it is embarking on a the world, from the Industrial Revolution an IMAX theatre – allow us to showcase on display. The museum continues to host COLLECTIONS STORE drawings for his calculating machines. The far-reaching £55 million transformation to today and beyond. the magic of moving images from a busy programme of events, exhibitions museum attracts 3.2 million visits annually. called Vision 2025. Split across nine around the world in Bradford, the and activities from steam spectaculars Olympia separate projects, Vision 2025 will Masterplan first UNESCO City of Film. to guided tours. Locomotion continues to London W14 0QX Masterplan reimagine the National Railway Museum to Work continues on the new Special benefit enormously from its partnership (Staff and volunteers access only) Over the past five years one third of tell epic stories of how the railways shaped Exhibitions Gallery, an ambitious project Three annual festivals – Widescreen with Durham County Council, which the museum’s public space has been the world, providing a more interactive which will provide a venue for world- Weekend, the Yorkshire Games Festival includes generous financial support. Blythe House at Olympia in London is undergoing a transformation. Exciting and engineering-focused experience for class contemporary science exhibitions and the Bradford Science Festival bring used by the Science Museum, V&A and new galleries are set to open this autumn: visitors. Vision 2025 is part of York Central, in the New Warehouse. Supported by cutting-edge technology and industry Masterplan British Museum for small-object storage. Science City 1550–1800: The Linbury a large city-centre development. Wellcome, Garfield Weston Foundation, experts to the museum, inspiring the Work on the restoration of the historic Following the government’s allocation Gallery will explore London’s unique role Kirby Laing Foundation and Zochonis scientists, engineers and creators of buildings, including the home of the railway of £150 million for all three museums to in the evolution of scientific thinking; and The project will establish a new Central Charitable Trust, it is planned for the future to see more, hear more, pioneer Timothy Hackworth, has started relocate, we plan to move 320,000 objects new Medicine Galleries across most of Gallery to show innovations from the rail completion in 2020 and will help develop think more and do more. with options for their future use being to the National Collections Centre, uniting the first floor of the museum will create a industry and a Wonderlab gallery. The our reputation and Manchester’s as a explored. Plans are also in development the Science Museum Group Collection home for the extraordinary collections of museum’s grounds will also be redeveloped globally significant place for science Masterplan for a new building to explore further the and improving public access. This year we Henry Wellcome and the Science Museum. to create a green park and civic spaces. innovation and understanding. The Sound and Vision galleries – due to railways on a site adjacent to the existing captured information on 140,000 objects open in 2022 – will bring together the Collection Building. Planned for completion and published 20,000 new photographs star objects from our collection for the in 2022, this will allow us to expand the of the collection online. This digitisation Above, from left: The Sun: Living With Our Star exhibition at the Science Museum; the Great Hall in the National Railway Museum; Rocket on display in the Science and Industry Museum; the Wonderlab galleries in the National Science and Media Museum; Flying Scotsman outside Locomotion; an artist’s impression of the first time, presenting a comprehensive number of vehicles housed on the site effort will create the most extensive completed National Collections Centre history of the still and moving image. and boost our visitor offer. online scientific collection in the world.

62 63 RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE YEAR OF ENGINEERING

‘I’m delighted that Bechtel partnered with the WHO WANTS Science Museum Group throughout 2018 as part of our commitment to TO BE AN the government’s Year of Engineering campaign’ ENGINEER? Paul Gibbs, UK managing director, Bechtel

Left: Children take part in Race The Robot at the Science Museum’s Family Festival Above: Science journalist Angela Saini, engineer Yewande Akinola, AI scientist Maja Pantic and engineer Nike Folayan take part in a panel discussion after an IMAX screening of Marvel’s Black Panther

the country were able explore the wonders of engineering. The Group also welcomed hundreds of school visits, inviting students to build their own catapults in London, design robotic racers in Manchester or to The Group enthusiastically embraced the write code and fix hardware in York.

Year of Engineering, a national campaign to The campaign saw almost half a million inspire the next generation of engineers people explore engineering-themed from a diverse range of backgrounds galleries across the Group, and tens of thousands watch our flagship engineering IMAX film, Dream Big: Engineering Our World.

Britain needs a lot more engineers – and hours of their time to help inspire the The Year of Engineering programme was quickly. Some experts have estimated that futures of young audiences. Of these also supported by events aimed at adult we need around 1 million more by 2020 if volunteers, 42% were female, which is audiences. We offered engineering-themed our industry and economy are to continue four times the percentage of women Lates at the National Science and Media to thrive. To help meet this target, and to in the UK’s engineering workforce. Museum in Bradford, the Science inspire the next generation of engineers, Museum in London and the National the Science Museum Group was a key Meanwhile, statistics show that only 10% Railway Museum in York. There were also partner in the Year of Engineering, a of UK engineers are women and fewer panel discussions, such as ‘The Science national government campaign led by the than 8% are from black and minority of Formula 1’ and ‘Art of Engineering’, Department for Transport. ethnic backgrounds. By bringing young and an IMAX screening of Marvel’s Black people from all backgrounds face to Panther, supported by the Royal Academy In its largest ever cross-Group face with engineering role-models, our of Engineering, as part of the Women in collaborative project, the Science initiative set out to widen the pool of Engineering Family Festival, to explore the Museum Group offered a varied events young people who enter the profession. importance of diversity in engineering. programme over the past year, including a new initiative through which expert Regular engineering-themed workshops In the end, more than 270,000 people volunteers were invited to share their and shows alongside flagship family saw or took part in a Science Museum experiences with visitors. More than festivals – including Future Engineers Group Year of Engineering event, of which 900 volunteers, many of them industry in York, We Are Engineers in London, and 142,300 were children participating in a live engineers, helped with the programme, the Bradford and Manchester Science event – 14.2% of the Year of Engineering’s collectively contributing well over 7,000 Festivals – meant that families across target of 1 million young people.

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ABOVE THE NOISE BRADFORD BEAT

Main image: DJ Radical Sister spins the decks in Bradford in the 1980s Left: Belle Vue photographic studio, which documented the Asian communities who arrived in the city in the 1950s and 1960s Below: Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB) Radio A pioneering project at the National Science and Media Museum shows how our research is engaging local communities

Above the Noise: 15 Stories from Not only was Above the Noise a with the museum reaching out, as well ‘Above the Noise was the inspiration Bradford wasn’t just a new exhibition considerable success, it also inspired as inviting in, has enabled people to for the BBC’s We Are Bradford – a when it opened at the National Science the BBC to rethink its approach to the feel real ownership of the content. way of trying to reflect a wider and and Media Museum in March this year, city and set up a week-long pop-up The impact for Bradford’s diverse but a whole new approach to engaging newsroom in Bradford. The city and communities in seeing themselves perhaps fairer picture of the city’ the local community. It had a notable its local stories were featured in and their lives positively reflected in David Sillito, BBC media and arts correspondent impact on the museum’s home city national news schedules in a series of a national institution will provide the and inspired a national broadcaster to programmes called We Are Bradford. building blocks for much deeper and rethink its approach to local news. wider community engagement with Above the Noise comprised of the museum.’ Above the Noise grew from a recent individual stories told by people initiative, Bradford’s National Museum from Bradford, examining what David Sillito, media and arts project, which has been exploring they considered to be the under- correspondent at the BBC, said: ways to develop closer connections represented and positive experiences ‘The idea behind the exhibition between the National Science and of life in the city. It also explored the didn’t just provoke an interesting Media Museum and local people. It is a technologies and social networks – conversation – it was the catalyst partnership that includes the University from community radio and film clubs for the BBC trying a new way of of Leeds, Bradford Community to cassette tapes and photography reporting the news. Broadcasting radio station, Tim Smith – they have used over the years to Photos, Khanani, Alchemy and Bradford bypass the mainstream media. In this ‘Above the Noise was the inspiration Museums and Galleries, among others. way, they stayed in touch and spread for the BBC’s We Are Bradford – a Left: Students Above: The local news and information, despite way of trying to reflect a wider and at Belle Vue Polish community The result was a collaborative ‘the noise’ from elsewhere. perhaps fairer picture of the city. Girls Academy celebrating exhibition focusing on the ingenuity at Our Lady of Czestochowa and activism of communities in Mary Dowson, co-founder of partner ‘This model of journalism is now being in 1987 Bradford – in contrast to the negative organisation BCB Radio, said: ‘The tried out in other cities following the perceptions of the city in the media. collaborative nature of the project, success of what began in Bradford.’ RETURN TO CONTENTS PAGE

SOYUZ ON TOUR

‘The Soyuz tour’s success underlines why we make our world-class culture accessible to everyone in all corners of the country’ Jeremy Wright, Culture Secretary SHARING

‘I’m particularly happy that people up OUR and down the UK now have had the opportunity to discover more about my Principia mission and space travel’ Tim Peake in Peterborough Cathedral with his Soyuz spacecraft, VISION which was seen by 1.3 million people during its nationwide tour

By Ian Blatchford, Group director

The Science Museum Group is daring and the response from firmly committed to sharing our the public has been astonishing. ‘star exhibits’ – the most dazzling The nationwide tour of the Soyuz examples from our great collection spacecraft that brought astronaut of more than 7 million things – with Tim Peake safely back to Earth the rest of the country so they can in 2016 has drawn in 1.3 million be seen by as large and diverse an visitors during its tour of eight audience as possible. cities – including Cardiff, Belfast and Edinburgh. It also spent 12 weeks That commitment is in part driven inside Peterborough Cathedral, a by an awareness that much of 12th-century Norman church that the country’s rich cultural life is provided a spectacular and thought- sometimes perceived as too London- provoking setting for an object that centric. Our brief, therefore, is to has travelled beyond our Earth. The make it easier for people from every Soyuz boosted visitor numbers to region of the country to see and be the cathedral by an incredible 810%. inspired by our national collection. We also believe that seeing our star Our conservation team is meticulous objects in new and unusual locations in its attention to detail before these is stimulating, encouraging all of us objects go on the road, ensuring to reflect on the achievements of they are not damaged in transition science and technology, and where or in their new locations. And one they might take us in the future. needs to remember, of course, that many of our greatest exhibits were To this end, two of our most built to push the boundaries of treasured ‘stars’ have spent the past human knowledge and withstand year on the move. Rocket, the 1829 extraordinary circumstances. After steam locomotive built in Newcastle, all, if the Soyuz can cope with and which ran on the Liverpool to burning through the atmosphere at Manchester line, has enjoyed a 5 miles a second, it can probably highly successful tour ‘back home’ cope with a trip up to Durham. in Newcastle and Manchester, and will soon move to the National We look forward to sharing more Railway Museum in York. of our world-beating exhibits with the nation to celebrate our amazing The Group’s most successful sharing heritage and inspire the next experiment has also been the most generation of innovators.