Engagement Projects Granted £13m by Wellcome

Five UK science centres are to be supported by funding of £13m Wellcome to encourage new and different ideas that will help to make science more accessible. The funding has been awarded through the Inspiring Science Fund, that helps centres rethink what they do and what they offer to the public. The scheme is co-funded by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Wellcome.

The successful centres in this first round of funding are At-Bristol, Aberdeen Science Centre, International Centre for Life in Newcastle, Thinktank in Birmingham and W5 in Belfast.

Simon Chaplin, Wellcome’s Director of Culture & Society, sayid that Wellcome believes everyone should have the opportunity to explore, debate and shape research. "Science centres across the UK provide welcoming spaces to help make this happen and to explore the role of science in culture.”

At-Bristol has announced that it is going to change its name to We The Curious, marking a change of direction for the centre towards a creative, multidisciplinary space where science and culture can co-exist. Its Curious City exhibition will be based on science gathered from the diverse communities of Bristol.

International Centre for Life’s Creative Explorations will combine new interactive exhibitions, a regional outreach programme and three pilot engagement projects to work closely with underserved communities, supported by an overarching organisational review.

Thinktank will develop a new, 1,000m2 interactive gallery where under-8s can explore, play and learn in a STEM-based, dynamic learning environment. It wants to reach new audiences and promote emotional, intellectual and physical wellbeing. This will be supported by a programme of community co-production and early years research.

Aberdeen Science Centre will transform the UK’s most northerly science centre into a future-looking hub. It aims to make learning and discovery accessible for all, inspired by life-long journeys with science through play, education, daily life and engagement with topical issues.

In Belfast, W5 will create new immersive exhibition areas and experiences where visitors can become fully absorbed and engaged. New approaches to technology will enable dynamic content and create more flexibility in how the space can be used.