Celebrate Science this Summer at the Science and Industry Museum

Explore science, gaming and engineering this summer at one of the region's best loved family museums.

From 20 July to 1 September, the Science and Industry Museum is inviting scientists, innovators and engineers of the future to experience a jam-packed summer holiday programme of free activities and explore ideas that change the world. A whole host of hands-on events will delve deeper into the science behind space, machines, our bodies and more, as well as reveal some of the museum’s special spaces during its current large-scale repair project. Ultimate gaming experience, Power Up, will put players to the test with five decades of consoles to explore, while free exhibition, Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, will share one of the most important scientific stories of our time.  

There'll be something new to discover every day, with pop-up activities that dive deeper into engineering, the world of medicine and the innerworkings of our city. Families can discover what goes on inside an engine, use metal detectors to explore a special sand pit or examine the marvellous machines that help us look inside our bodies. Budding engineers can also get hands-on with special activities inspired by plans and blueprints of collections from the museum's archive.

A brand-new science show will invite visitors to explore the hidden worlds uncovered by incredible engineers. From images of deep space to microscopic pictures of the world around us, the museum's expert Explainers will take audiences on the ultimate journey to help us think differently about our world. 

Demonstrations of the museum's historic textile machinery will bring to life Manchester's industrial past. For the first time, visitors will get to see the inner workings of these historic objects, as cameras placed inside will broadcast footage of the intricate workings of these magnificent machines.

Visitors can explore five decades of play with a ticket to Power Up, the ultimate gaming experience, where they can discover how far computer games have come. From retro favourites like Pac-Man and Street Fighter to virtual reality, there's something for all the family with over a hundred consoles to explore. Annual passes are now available to purchase, meaning visitors can unlock a new level of play and gain access to the experience for a whole year.

The Science and Industry Museum is preparing to open the doors to a major, free exhibition that examines the global and local response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, will put the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed under the microscope, uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge. The exhibition will also examine the unique experiences and responses of communities in Manchester to the pandemic through objects and stories on display for the first time.

Alongside this packed programme, the museum will be hosting special family events across the summer. From 19 to 25 August, families will be able to join special Pride activities celebrating our individual stories, all leading up to the museum taking part in the Manchester Pride parade on 24 August. 

For more information head to our What's On page.