Science Projects Limited
Encyclopedia
Science Projects Limited is a company with charitable status founded by Stephen Pizzey 1986 to aid public understanding of science through interactive exhibits. It operates The Observatory Science Centre in the south east of England at the former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory which moved its telescopes there in the 1950s. Science Projects also operates travelling exhibitions from its design and production workshop in London which specialises in the development of hands-on exhibits.
in Canada had already instigated its 'Science Circus' which had travelled to a number of countries, including a visit to the Science Museum
in London. It proved extremely popular but was still constrained by being an exhibition which required a museum or other venue in which to operate.
Science Projects' idea was to have the building travel with the exhibition as well, creating a travelling science centre. Deciding to test out the theory, an Omni System tent was hired and some exhibits from the Exploratory in Bristol
(now At-Bristol
) borrowed for an Open University
open day in Milton Keynes in 1986. The result was a success and provided the impetus to take the next step.
. The first handful of staff were employed and manufacturing of the 50 or so exhibits required began in earnest.
The Discovery Dome was an enormous success, attracting over 100,000 visitors in its first year. It led to teachers basing classroom projects on many of the topics covered and requests to borrow some of the exhibits. From this interest, the idea of ScienceWorks arose. This consisted of specially designed, curriculum-based exhibitions available for hire to schools which started operation in 1989 and continues today.
, intended to form the basis of a science centre for the 1990 City of Culture celebrations. After searching for a suitable location, the South Rotunda - a domed building on the former garden festival site, was identified. The Glasgow Dome of Discovery opened to the public on 6 April with over 50 interactive exhibits, a workshop and a small shop.
to design and build a travelling exhibition
in the style of the Discovery Dome exhibits. Named Exploring Science, this exhibition toured the Middle East
and North Africa
. It proved to be popular and another version was commissioned for permanent use in Saudi Arabia
.
A few years later, the success of this exhibition inspired Science Projects to create a new series of travelling exhibitions for the UK. They used the same name of 'Exploring Science' and built the exhibitions to the same high specifications. Over the next few years 'ScienceWorks' expanded as exhibits were reviewed in light of the National Curriculum
and more contract work was undertaken along with training and consultancy programmes.
, in East Sussex
, the former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Negotiations for a lease proceeded over a period of time with agreement finally reached in early 1995. At the same time an historic medieval church became available in Norwich
, and plans were rapidly progressed to establish the Inspire Discovery Centre.
In 2009, the company moved its main workshop and offices from Hammersmith to a larger building in Acton which is more suited to its production, design and administration requirements.
History
The company was set up in 1986 when people were coming to the conclusion that a hands-on approach to informal learning, as characterised by exhibits where the people could explore scientific phenomena and experiment with technology, was both effective and engaging. The Ontario Science CentreOntario Science Centre
Ontario Science Centre is a science museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, near the Don Valley Parkway about northeast of downtown on Don Mills Road just south of Eglinton Avenue East...
in Canada had already instigated its 'Science Circus' which had travelled to a number of countries, including a visit to the Science Museum
Science museum
A science museum or a science centre is a museum devoted primarily to science. Older science museums tended to concentrate on static displays of objects related to natural history, paleontology, geology, industry and industrial machinery, etc. Modern trends in museology have broadened the range of...
in London. It proved extremely popular but was still constrained by being an exhibition which required a museum or other venue in which to operate.
Science Projects' idea was to have the building travel with the exhibition as well, creating a travelling science centre. Deciding to test out the theory, an Omni System tent was hired and some exhibits from the Exploratory in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
(now At-Bristol
At-Bristol
At-Bristol is a public science and technology "exploration" and education centre and charity in Bristol, England.As a visitor attraction, At-Bristol has hundreds of hands-on exhibits, and a Planetarium with seasonal shows for the over fives, and a 'Little Stars' show for children aged five and under...
) borrowed for an Open University
Open University
The Open University is a distance learning and research university founded by Royal Charter in the United Kingdom...
open day in Milton Keynes in 1986. The result was a success and provided the impetus to take the next step.
The Discovery Dome
With funding from grants, the rest of the year was spent progressing the plans for what would become the 'Discovery Dome'. In February 1987 Science Projects was incorporated as a charitable company and moved into a small workshop in West LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The first handful of staff were employed and manufacturing of the 50 or so exhibits required began in earnest.
The Discovery Dome was an enormous success, attracting over 100,000 visitors in its first year. It led to teachers basing classroom projects on many of the topics covered and requests to borrow some of the exhibits. From this interest, the idea of ScienceWorks arose. This consisted of specially designed, curriculum-based exhibitions available for hire to schools which started operation in 1989 and continues today.
Glasgow Dome of Discovery
Meanwhile, Science Projects was developing a new exhibition in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, intended to form the basis of a science centre for the 1990 City of Culture celebrations. After searching for a suitable location, the South Rotunda - a domed building on the former garden festival site, was identified. The Glasgow Dome of Discovery opened to the public on 6 April with over 50 interactive exhibits, a workshop and a small shop.
Travelling Exhibitions
In 1991 the company was commissioned by the British CouncilBritish Council
The British Council is a United Kingdom-based organisation specialising in international educational and cultural opportunities. It is registered as a charity both in England and Wales, and in Scotland...
to design and build a travelling exhibition
Travelling exhibition
A travelling exhibition, also referred to as a "travelling exhibit" or a "touring exhibition", is a type of exhibition that is available for circulation to one or more venues in addition to the premises of the organiser....
in the style of the Discovery Dome exhibits. Named Exploring Science, this exhibition toured the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
. It proved to be popular and another version was commissioned for permanent use in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia , commonly known in British English as Saudi Arabia and in Arabic as as-Sa‘ūdiyyah , is the largest state in Western Asia by land area, constituting the bulk of the Arabian Peninsula, and the second-largest in the Arab World...
.
A few years later, the success of this exhibition inspired Science Projects to create a new series of travelling exhibitions for the UK. They used the same name of 'Exploring Science' and built the exhibitions to the same high specifications. Over the next few years 'ScienceWorks' expanded as exhibits were reviewed in light of the National Curriculum
National Curriculum
The National Curriculum was introduced into England, Wales and Northern Ireland as a nationwide curriculum for primary and secondary state schools following the Education Reform Act 1988. Notwithstanding its name, it does not apply to independent schools, which may set their own curricula, but it...
and more contract work was undertaken along with training and consultancy programmes.
Science Centres
The company had the resources to implement an earlier idea for a network of small science centres drawing on the resources and expertise of the exhibit development workshop. One site which had been of interest for a long time was HerstmonceuxHerstmonceux
Herstmonceux is a village and civil parish in the Wealden District of East Sussex, England. The parish includes Herstmonceux Castle, the village of Cowbeech and a number of smaller hamlets.-History:...
, in East Sussex
East Sussex
East Sussex is a county in South East England. It is bordered by the counties of Kent, Surrey and West Sussex, and to the south by the English Channel.-History:...
, the former home of the Royal Greenwich Observatory. Negotiations for a lease proceeded over a period of time with agreement finally reached in early 1995. At the same time an historic medieval church became available in Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
, and plans were rapidly progressed to establish the Inspire Discovery Centre.
Creating exhibits for others
Science Projects continues to design, develop and build exhibits for science centres, museums and visitor centres around the world. The growth in this field has resulted in todays diverse application of interactive exhibits. They are no longer confined to science and technology and Science Projects has produced exhibitions interpreting subjects from art http://www.science-projects.org/travelling/travellingHub.php?target=art to economics for the Bank of England http://www.science-projects.org/current/hub.php?target=interactives/projects/ban/Bank_of_England_1.php.In 2009, the company moved its main workshop and offices from Hammersmith to a larger building in Acton which is more suited to its production, design and administration requirements.