Some basic information about the Science Museum.
The Science Museum is part of the National Museum of Science and Industry, which also includes the National Railway Museum in York and the National Media Museum (formerly the National Museum of Film, Photography and Television) in Bradford.
The Science Museum’s mission is:
To be the most admired museum in the world and thus be a source of pride to the public, our sponsors and our staff.
Martin Earwicker FREng Director of National Museum of Science and Industry (NMSI)
His earlier career saw senior management positions in defence-related research‚ technology and systems at‚ among others‚ the Defence Evaluation Research Agency‚ Ministry of Defence‚ Defence Research Agency‚ and Royal Aerospace Establishment.
Martin Earwicker is a visiting Professor at Imperial College‚ London‚ a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. He is also a Companion Member of the Chartered Management Institute.
Chris Rapley CBE Director of the Science Museum
Prof Chris Rapley was appointed Director of the Science Museum in July 2007.
He was previously Director of the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) which he positioned firmly in the international and national limelight as the worldwide centre of excellence in its field. He is also well known as an expert in climate change science and the architect of the International Polar Year 2007-2008.
Prior to his work at the BAS, he was Executive Director of the International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences in Stockholm. This followed an extended period as Professor of Remote Sensing Science and Associate Director of University College London's Mullard Space Science Laboratory.
He has been a Principal Investigator on both NASA and European Space Agency satellite missions and was a member of the NASA JPL Cassini mission Science Team.
He is a Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge.
The Science Museum is home to an unrivalled collection of iconic objects from the history of science, technology, medicine and engineering. Dating from the Great Exhibition in 1851, the collection of some 250,000 objects, with more than 12,000 on display and free to view, has been gathered from across the globe since that landmark event in Victorian Britain. It can lay claim to having more world firsts than any other science museum.
Iconic objects on display at the Science Museum include Stephenson’s Rocket, the Apollo 10 command module and the first successful atomic clock. Visitors can see not only exhibitions of historic treasures, such as the elegant Science in the 18th Century collection of scientific instruments, but also the latest scientific developments, in the Wellcome Wing.
The Museum has more than 25 galleries on seven floors covering the most significant technological and scientific achievements. These include the magnificent Energy Hall featuring landmark steam engines which powered the Industrial Revolution; the Flight Gallery, charting the history of man’s fascination with aviation; and the Making the Modern World gallery, which charts icons of invention from 1750-2000.
The Antenna Gallery is the home of contemporary science issues. Housed on the ground floor in the Wellcome Wing, it looks at the hot topics affecting people’s lives in a number of different formats. It gives science news through information points; ‘rapid’ exhibitions, which puts on display objects which have recently been in the news; and live events, which give the public the chance to meet scientists, and see objects in action in relation to current science research projects.
Antenna also has one centre-piece exhibition, which run for six months at a time. These aim to explain more about current issues in science and technology, and have recently looked at such diverse topics as particle physics, neuroscience, biofuels and mobile phones.
With a screen taller than four double-decker buses, state-of-the-art 3D technology and wrap-around sound, the Science Museum IMAX 3D Cinema transports audiences deep into the action. From deep sea adventures to space travel, the IMAX Experience takes audiences places they never before imagined.
The Science Museum IMAX 3D Cinema runs a daily schedule of large format 3D and 2D films, current favourites include Sea Monsters 3D, Dinosaurs Alive 3D and Space Station 3D.
For more information and to book tickets, please call 0845 870 4868 or visit www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/imax
Education and inspiration for all were at the heart of the Museum’s foundation in Victorian times. They remain so today. The Museum has more than 2.5 million visitors a year who enjoy seeing the real thing, with innovative interpretations, such as workshops, drama performances, science shows and debates.
As it seeks to broaden its audiences yet further, the Science Museum is helping to tackle social exclusion. It does this through a series of highly successful outreach projects, where science shows are taken out to schools and communities, with return visits to the Museum.
A highly successful tool for bringing groups of children to the Museum has been the monthly Science Night programme. It provides education and fun for children through an evening of fantastic activities rounded off by camping in the Museum overnight.
The booking number for education visits 020 7942 4777.
The Dana Centre is a groundbreaking urban bar and café annexed to the Science Museum in London. It is the UK’s only venue for adults to discuss controversial science.
From stand-up comics debunking science myths to a live heart by-pass operation, as well as debates, art installations and live experiments, this dynamic space brings the hottest themes in modern science to life through a programme of vibrant and innovative events.
The Dana Centre is a unique, inspiring and pioneering centre where the public can talk about the impact of science on people and society. The Dana Centre also gives the public the opportunity to set the agenda and air their views on current and future science within an expert, yet non-prescriptive, atmosphere. It is contributing to the vision of a Science Museum in the 21st century as a space for people to discuss contemporary and future science issues.
Complete with wireless internet café / bar and state of the art digital facilities, the Dana Centre’s events can link across the world via internet and mobile networks.
Much of the Science Museum’s collection is available in its online resources across three websites.
For all the latest news about exhibitions and events, go to: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk.
For the latest press releases, and a press release archive, go to: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/press.
For science news, brought to you by our Antenna team, go to: www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/antenna.
For themed stories on everything from health and migration to work and communication go to: www.ingenious.org.uk.
The Science Museum’s flagship gallery is Making the Modern World, which charts the history of invention from 1750-2000. Its online companion is available at: www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk.
The Science Museum’s most popular hands-on, brains-on gallery has been relocated and reinvented. From firm favourites to world-firsts, Launchpad is packed with over 50 interactive exhibits, plus electrifying shows and lively demos, all from the wonderful world of physics. Third floor.
Another great interactive gallery which allows kids the chance to learn more about the issues surrounding energy now and in the future. Second floor.
Introduces ideas about patterns in the world with innovative interactive exhibits. Ground floor, Wellcome Wing.
An exhibition which celebrates the transformation of Britain in the post-war period from a country dominated by shortages to an affluent consumer society. It looks at how wartime research boosted industries such as aviation and electronics and reveals a surprising ‘lost world’ of British manufacturing. Dan Dare, hero of Eagle comic, is woven into the show to reflect the spirit of optimism and faith in technology of the time. Second floor.
Go down memory lane to the world of plastics in this exhibition which highlights the Science Museum’s amazing collections. From the iconic Bakelite Ekco radio and Bush television to the 1960s PVC mac and boots and 1970s Sta-press polyester trousers, this exhibition is a treasure trove of plastics memories. First floor.
This gallery looks at the history of all the essential appliances which we use in our homes. Vacuum cleaners, heaters, ovens and even toilets feature in this delightful gallery, with exhibits from the 18th century to the present day. Basement.
