Billed as a Science Village at the Internatinal Centre for Life, this is a wonderfully innovative and entertaining site. The Life Science Centre is a visitor attraction at the International Centre for Life. It has a changing programme of events made up of temporary and permanent exhibitions, a Science Theatre, a planetarium and a 4D Motion Ride, as well as presenting a range of science-themed special events for children and adults. The Life Science Centre also has an educational programme providing science workshops to schools and other groups. The Science Centre's permanent exhibitions focuses on different aspects of scientific process and discovery. The Curiosity Zone is a 100% hands-on exhibition which encourages creativity and experimentation, inviting visitors to play with the exhibits, collaborating and communicating to make discoveries and creations. The Experiment Zone allows visitors to try out laboratory-style experiments such as DNA extraction using high end equipment used by research scientists. Each year a new exhibition is hosted or launched in May, often a major touring exhibition such as BODY WORLDS Vital in 2014. During the winter months, smaller scale exhibitions are hosted, either on loan from other museums or created in-house. As well as the exhibitions, the Life Science Centre contains shows throughout the year. The Science Theatre hosts live, interactive and humorous science demonstrations linked to the main exhibition, and the planetarium - the largest in the North - utilising its 360° domed ceiling and immersive projections to present a range of shows and films from traditional astronomy demonstrations to specially created animated films on a range of science-inspired subjects.
From March 25th 2016. Your brain is the most amazing and mysterious thing about you – and something that you probably take for granted. The Brain Zone lets you understand what’s going on inside your head through exciting, fun activities and exhibits. Explore what makes you ‘you’. Find out how your brain works and how it controls so many of your body’s functions – often without you even realising it. From May 28th 2016 the exhibition will be Animal Inside Out. See some of the world’s most spectacular creatures like never before in Animal Inside Out at Life. From goats to giraffes, elephants to eels and octopuses to ostriches - embark on an anatomical safari exploring more than 100 real animal specimens. Marvel at the muscles supporting the neck of the 5m tall giraffe, stand face to face with an adult gorilla and discover the dense network of blood vessels in a shark. Thanks to the science of plastination, invented by Dr Gunther von Hagens, each animal has been painstakingly preserved allowing visitors to see what lies beneath nature’s skin in intricate detail. The exhibition aims to illustrate the complexity of animal physiology, exploring the inner workings of animals and the systems that allow them to live, thrive and survive. You’ll see the nervous, muscular, circulatory, respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems and be able to compare and contrast them to the human equivalent. Animal Inside Out also shows how different animals have evolved both in their anatomy and their organ function to their natural habitats such as the elephant's trunk or the giraffe's long neck.
Until 17th April 2016 the exhibition Robot features over 40 robot models, cyborgs and androids - full size models, heads and toys - from TV shows and films from the past 60 years. The Experiment Zone, Exhibitions, Planetarium, 4D Motion Ride, Young Explorers Zone, Curiosity Zone and Science Theatre are all included in the admission price. Free admission for a dedicated sighted assistant (a sighted assistant is recommended for your visit). Guide and assistance dogs are welcome. All Life print can be made available in large print formats. Fully wheelchair accessible (incuding the ice-rink). Disabled toilet facilities on all floors. Wheelchair spaces available in the planetarium and Science Theatre. Wheelchairs can be loaned for the duration of your visit. This is a free service but subject to availability.
Location : Times Square, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4EP
Transport: Newcastle Central Station (National Rail, Metro) then bus. Bus routes 8, 11, 12, 12A, 22 and 131 stop outside.
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00
Opening Times: Sunday 11:00 to 17:00
Tickets to 27th May: Adults £9.95. Children (aged 5 - 17) £6.95. Concessions: £7.95.
Tickets from 28th May: Adults £14.00. Children (aged 5 - 17) £8.00. Concessions: £11.00.
Tel: 0191 243 8210
