DaysOut Getting handson with science Scientific discovery has a new home in Wrexham. Shire heads to the Xplore! centre for some fact-based fun
DID YOU KNOW? In term time Xplore! is open to school groups Monday to Thursday, and to the public Friday to Sunday
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Xplore!’s interactive exhibits will keep the whole family absorbed for hours
hours absorbed in the exhibits. Our favourites f you equate science with spluttering Bunsen burners and dusty classrooms – were the giant air-powered organ on which you could play a range of tunes (including think again. Xplore!, the brand new science the Welsh national anthem), the suction museum in Wrexham, is engaging, exciting, pipes that harnessed the power of air to educational and packed full of exhibits that send handkerchiefs zipping through a vast will entertain adults and children alike. Housed in a large open-plan hall, Xplore! maze of tubes, the guitar that demonstrated exactly how sound waves work is airy, spacious and modern. With over 100 hands-on activities, “We spent and the light wall that allowed there’s plenty to keep you busy, you to test your reaction speed. several Xplore! also puts on scienceand all exhibits have been themed shows throughout the designed to be accessible for all. hours I’ve had frustrating experiences absorbed day, and these offer an intimate (but Covid-safe) feel with plenty at interactive museums, thanks in the of audience interaction. The to damaged or faulty exhibits exhibits” space-themed talk we attended – but that was not the case was engaging for all ages and at Xplore! Everything was kept the whole family’s attention. From a well designed, robust and user-friendly, demonstration of light waves using a slinky with helpful information displayed. Most to a blast bottle showing just how rockets importantly, the museum was stocked with take off, there were plenty of memorable friendly, approachable and well-informed moments, and the speaker’s enthusiasm was staff who were only too happy to help. infectious. A fantastic excursion for all the My children (aged 11 and six) were thoroughly engaged, and we spent several family, combining learning and fun.
Hungry for more? If you’re looking for exciting ways to explore science, try these great educational days out Catalyst Science Discovery Centre & Museum, Widnes, Cheshire A host of interactive exhibits, reconstructed scenes and multimedia programmes in this science museum that brings a range of subjects to life, from engineering to geography. Enginuity, Ironbridge Gorge, Shropshire Discover how a blast furnace works, find out how water power is used and find out if you have the energy to pull a locomotive along a track at this science centre at the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge. Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Macclesfield, Cheshire See the Grade I listed Lovell Telescope, join a telescope talk and discover a range of outdoor exhibits including the popular whispering dishes at this Unesco World Heritage Site.
Xplore!, Henblas Street, Wrexham, www.xplorescience.co.uk, 01978 293400 July/August 2021 | SHIRE MAGAZINE 51
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