This summer, science centres and museums across the nations are opening their doors to thousands of families, young people and communities, offering opportunities to explore science through hands-on activities, shared experiences and discovery.
Written by Scarlett Li-Williams, Membership & Operations Officer, July 2026
From watching the night skies and encountering wildlife up close to tackling some of society's biggest challenges, the range of exhibitions and public dialogue across our network demonstrates the many ways science can be made accessible, relevant and engaging.
With findings published this year in the 2025 Public Attitudes to Science Survey (PAS) showing that young people are more negative about their experience of science at school, these events highlight the importance of learning throughout the summer period and outside of the curriculum. This continued effort from science centres, gardens, museums and other public engagement organisations shows their dedication to ensuring accessible and engaging STEM learning across the UK all year round, creating opportunities for exploring ideas, building confidence and skills, encouraging participation, and helping people make sense of the world around them.
Creating Moments of Wonder
For many visitors, this summer provides a first opportunity to experience brand new exhibitions and experiences, as well as the annual events that many look forward to.
Our members are bringing science to life through immersive experiences that encourage curiosity and imagination that goes beyond Earth. At Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, visitors can journey from prehistoric worlds to distant galaxies through telescope tours, astronomy shows, and dinosaur encounters. Other observatories such as The Observatory Science Centre are taking visitors on a lunar journey, whilst Kielder Observatory is preparing audiences for spectacular celestial events, including a partial solar eclipse and the annual Perseid meteor shower, offering unforgettable opportunities to observe the night sky and experience the wonders of space whilst being here on Earth.
There are new galleries and exhibits this summer to explore, such as the Horrible Science: Cosmic Chaos exhibition at Science and Industry Museum Manchester, a cosmic adventure guided by characters from the brand-new BBC Horrible Science TV series. At the National Space Centre in Leicester, families can be immersed in the brand new Our Solar System experience, with interactive activities and displays to navigate other worlds through creativity and gamification learning.
Live science shows are also a holiday staple, with Dundee Science Centre's Fact or Fiction: Cosmic Chaos family show inviting visitors to question what they think they know about space and science. Cambridge Science Centre’s Genome Guardians live show moves us from what's outside our world to what's inside our cells, as viewers can explore how genomics is transforming healthcare, wellbeing and our understanding of the human body.
These live science performances, bubble shows and interactive demonstrations across the network continue to transform complex ideas into engaging shared experiences, providing inspiration and curiosity for a deeper interest in science and the world around us.
