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There’s exhibitions, experiments, and more at the Science and Industry Museum this half term

Emily Sergeant - 4th February 2022

From taking a journey around the human body, to discovering the birth of computing, and more, there’s so much happening Science and Industry Museum this February half term.

If you’re looking for some science-filled fun and discovery when the schools are out in Greater Manchester from Saturday 12 to Sunday 27 February, then one of the city’s most-loved museums is giving you the chance to explore a whole host existing exhibitions and take part in some exiting experiments during the holidays.

Here’s everything you can be getting up to.

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Exhibitions

Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope

One of the most-popular exhibitions currently at the museum is the Cancer Revolution: Science, innovation and hope, which the first “major object-rich exhibition” to reveal the past, present and future of how cancer is prevented, detected and treated.  

Through never-before seen objects and stories, cutting edge treatment and research, reflection, new artist commissions and installations, film, photography, interactive exhibits and a breadth of personal stories, the museum says the exhibition will present the stories of people affected by cancer and those who study and treat it.

Read more: New exhibition about how cancer is ‘prevented, detected and treated’ is opening at the Science and Industry Museum

You can discover the fascinating science behind our bodies through activities especially created to mark this world-first exhibition, as the museum’s team of Explainers will be presenting activities that reveal some of the different ways we can see inside our bodies at ‘Science Stops’ across the museum every day.

There’ll be everything from microscopes and magnets, to high-tech cameras, and the chance to make a model cell badge to take away.

You can find out more here.

A Quiet Afternoon in the Cloud Cuckoo Valley

The charming final work of one of Britain’s best loved artists, sculptors, and famed Chitty Chitty Bang Bang creator, Rowland Emett, is now on display in Manchester for the first time in the museum’s Textiles Gallery until April.

Constructed in 1984, the unique moving sculpture named – which is named ‘A Quiet Afternoon in the Cloud Cuckoo Valley’ – was saved for the UK after being purchased for the Science Museum Group Collection with support from Art Fund, the Science Museum Foundation, the Friends of the National Railway Museum and private donors, and visitors are now able to see two scenes from the work of art telling the story of a journey aboard the imaginary ‘Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway,’ based on one of his cartoons. 

Read more: ‘Marvellous machines’ and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang ‘charm’ have arrived at the Science and Industry Museum

The two scenes – Far Tottering and Oyster Creek Railway, featuring the ‘Wild Goose’ locomotive, and Oyster Creek – will come to life twice a day at 11.30am and 2pm to treat visitors to the “whirring of cogs and characters toasting teacakes and diving”, while also revealing what this whimsical sculpture has in common with the museum’s thundering textiles machinery. 

You can find out more here.

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Shows & Experiments

Revolution Manchester Show

During the Revolution Manchester Show, the museum’s expert Explainers put on an action-packed show that tells the story of how science met industry right here in Manchester, building our world and shaping our lives today.

You can discover Manchester’s role as a nerve centre of the Industrial Revolution, be amazed by the power of steam as you learn how it powered cotton factories and transport on the world’s first passenger and goods railway, and find out how Manchester continues to drive change, from computing to cutting edge scientific research. 

Experiment

Experiment is a favourite with families, and it’s where science is brought to life through a series of interactive exhibits – including staring into the mirror of infinity, finding out if you’ve got the strength to lift a Mini, and watching your own skeleton ride a bicycle.

You can then also step out into the cobbled Upper Yard to see the museum’s multi-million pound restoration programme taking shape.

In case you didn’t know, the Science and Industry Museum is currently going through a multi-million pound restoration programme, which means some areas including the Power Hall remain closed to the public – but don’t worry though, as there’s still plenty for families to do, see and enjoy during the holidays.

Read more: 515 tonnes of carbon in Manchester saved each year in Science and Industry Museum’s ‘visionary’ scheme

You can find out more about everything happening at the Science and Industry Museum this February half term, and grab tickets here.

Featured Image – Science and Industry Museum