Dundee Science Centre will reveal an ambitious refurbishment when it re-opens to the public next week, positioning the visitor attraction as a major player in Scotland’s staycation market.
Saturday 26 June 2021 will mark a pivotal day in the Centre’s 21-year history, unveiling the £2.1M CONNECT project. Funded by The Inspiring Science Fund alongside other Trusts and partners, CONNECT has completely transformed the ground floor of the visitor attraction. The development has recently been shortlisted in two categories of the Scottish Design Awards 2021 – the Design for Good and Experiential categories, with the winners to be announced on Thursday 15 July 2021.
Brought to life while the Centre was closed due to COVID-19, the refurbishment incorporates a number of new, interactive exhibits and an upgrading of all ground-floor facilities aimed at widening access and improving accessibility. As part of its 21st birthday celebrations, the Centre has also reduced its entry costs, making the attraction more affordable while helping the local economy grow.
Isabel Bruce OBE, CEO of Dundee Science Centre said, “As we celebrate our 21st birthday, we are proudly unveiling what is essentially a brand new visitor attraction in the city. As Scotland prepares to open up after undoubtedly the most challenging period in our history, we are cutting our entry prices to make it more affordable for all, presenting a brilliant, hands-on attraction for families and a key stopping point in any family’s day out or weekend away.
“However, we’re also a resource for communities right here on our doorstep, including those who think science is perhaps not for them. 2020 encouraged us to take a different look at our offering and ensure it is fit for purpose. Through CONNECT, we will be reaching out beyond the confines of the building, offering immersive learning environments for all audiences from school pupils and families to hard-to-reach communities.”
John Alexander, Leader of Dundee City Council added, “I’m absolutely delighted to see this major refurbishment of Dundee Science Centre come to fruition. The re-opening comes at an exciting time for the city and Scotland as a whole and provides yet another asset within Dundee’s impressive tourism offering as the country gradually re-opens for business.
“Of course, as a father-of-two, it’s wonderful to see that the Centre hasn’t forgotten the families on its doorstep, providing some fantastic activities and resources for people right here in Dundee, connecting communities and enhancing our education provision locally. It’s also encouraging to see the Centre’s growing emphasis on sustainability, really drilling down to the ways people of all ages can do their bit to reduce waste and carbon footprint.”
On arrival in the Centre, We Are Inventing allows visitors to bring their inventions and imagination to life, with the chance to build, tinker and design. Become an engineer and assemble a plumbing system, get the cogs turning on the magnetic wall, test paper planes with the wind vortex machine or test your creativity with the 3D printer!
Meanwhile, Brilliant Brain allows visitors to explore their brain and senses, with everything from a giant eyeball to the wobbly walk.
We Are Discovering features an augmented reality sandbox where visitors can see volcanoes erupt and oceans swirl in front of their eyes, not to mention an Animation Station, the chance to make cloud rings and capture a water drop with high-speed photography.
Then, as part of the Centre’s increased provision for early years, We Are Exploring provides an amazing array of activities to entertain and engage younger children. Play in the treehouse of The Midnight Garden, get creative in the Building Zone or go fishing in the impressive Water Works feature complete with chute and giant Archimedes screw!
Staying on the ground floor, the former coffee shop has been transformed into an inspiring Café Create with improved scope for events, talks and workshops celebrating community work, as well as a new welcome area and sensory zone. Set within a creative and relaxed environment, Café Create features a revamped menu centred around locally sourced and produced food, drink and snacks. The Cafe has also expanded outside, adding a new dimension to the Science Centre experience. The outside space will also feature new external exhibits and a dedicated garden space where children can learn how herbs can boost their wellbeing and how to grow them.
Heading upstairs, visitors can enjoy the award-winning Medical Marvels exhibition which features a topical, brand new addition, the COVID autopsy and new Teddy Bear’s Hospital for early years audiences.
CONNECT was delivered by two Dundee firms - Bentleys Shopfitting (bespoke joinery manufacturer and interior fit-out specialists) and Aim Design (lead design team).
In addition to The Inspiring Science Fund, CONNECT is funded by The Robertson Trust, The Mathew Trust, The Northwood Charitable Trust, The Thriplow Charitable, The Alexander Moncur Trust, The Leng Charitable Trust, The Nine Incorporated Trades of Dundee and The Hugh Fraser Foundation.
Dundee Science Centre is open daily from 10am until 5pm from Saturday 26 June 2021. Tickets must be booked in advance.
For more information and to book, visit http://www.dundeesciencecentre.org.uk/
Dundee Science Centre
Dundee Science Centre is a charity and lifelong learning resource for the community.
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