Life Science Centre

We’re not like a museum where you’ll only find stuff in cases and be expected to look and not touch. At Life Science Centre, you’re encouraged to get stuck in: explore, create and have fun – whatever your age. Our friendly Science Explainers are always on-hand to answer questions – just look out for people wearing the Life-branded blue polo shirts.

Your science centre ticket gives you access to ALL of the daytime activities inside Life Science Centre (see below). There are no extra fees for blockbuster exhibitions or for entry to the planetarium, live theatre shows and the 4D Motion Ride. You won’t find any hidden charges here!

Explore Life's interactive Zones - experience neurological tests in the Brain Zone and let little ones discover the Young Explorers’ Zone.

Everything below is included in your Science Centre ticket

The planetarium

This is an immersive experience – once the lights are dimmed, the doors are shut and you’re sitting on one of the comfiest seats in the region, it’s easy to forget you’re still on planet Earth. We have shows that are tailored for different ages.

Live theatre shows

A changing programme of live theatre shows developed and performed in-house by our Science Explainers to explore a science topic with storytelling, demos and a bit of audience participation (not compulsory if you’re a wallflower).

4D Motion Ride

Watch a short 3D film with seats that move with the on-screen action – plus a variety of other special effects to add to the experience, including smells and fake snow. You have to be at least 1.2 metres in height to use the ride (for safety reasons).

Young Explorers’ Zone

This is a hands-on area designed to let children explore and create. There’s a little indoor garden with a tree house, a shop, a cafe, a kitchen – and even a recycling centre to teach children some good habits at an early age.

Brain Zone

Play memory games, step inside an optical illusion and (attempt to) interact with exhibits that require some mind over matter. Developed with the curriculum in mind, it's a fantastic resource for science students – particularly those on psychology courses.

Experiment Zone

Don a lab coat and try out some real science experiments. We provide the chemicals*, pipettes and conical flasks – you just need to bring your ‘A’ game for precise measurements and keen observations. (*Yes, real chemicals! Hence you must be 7+ to enter the lab.)

What's On

Exhibitions

Exhibitions Zones Planetarium 4D Motion Ride Science Theatre Special Events

Game On 2.0

25 May 2019 - 4 September 2019 From Space Invaders to Sonic, Minecraft to Mario, Game On 2.0 is an exhibition on the past five decades of computer gaming. Explore the vibrant history, culture and future of gaming, entertainment and technology through more than 150 playable games. Retro aficionados can play on consoles from the 1970s with a dedicated arcade games section, including Pac-Man, Defender and Donkey Kong. Grab your friends, family and dance partners to have a go on multiplayer games such as Just Dance and Wii Sports Resorts. In the ‘Futures’ section, you can learn about the continuing development of gaming, including how ...

Perfect for All ages Included in your science centre admission

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Brain Zone

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. Play memory games, step into an optical illusion and (attempt to) interact with exhibits that require some mind over matter. Developed with the national curriculum in mind, the Brain Zone has much to offer psychology students, but it also offers broader science insights, such as how scientists carry out experiments when data is hard to capture. Don't miss: Sip of conflict – A drinking fountain disguised as ...

Perfect for all ages Included in your science centre admission

Young Explorers' Zone

Children learn through play – it’s how they make sense of the world. Our Young Explorers’ Zone for under-7s is designed to encourage open-ended play and to help children build their imagination and other key skills, whilst having fun! Activities include:Big blocks, which are just waiting to be crafted into something wonderful. Will your child design a rocket, a unicorn or something totally new?A sensory den, where smaller tots and babies can explore light, colours, shapes and sounds – tucked safely away from some of the more energetic play from older toddlers! A fresh take on soft play, with linkable pieces ...

Perfect for under 7s Included in your science centre admission

Curiosity Zone

There are no right or wrong answers, no instructions, no rule book. Just follow your instincts as you experiment with a range of exhibits, including spinning turntables, sound-based games and a ‘Bernoulli Blower’ that floats a beachball in mid-air – always popular with younger children! Ask yourself the kind of questions that a scientist would: “what happens if?”, “what can I see here?” and “why is that happening?”. All of the exhibits in Curiosity Zone can be used in a variety of different ways, so you choose what you want to explore. When you come back next time, ...

Perfect for all ages Included in your science centre admission

Experiment Zone

In the Experiment Zone YOU are the scientist! Ever wondered what it's like to be a real scientist? Find out in the Experiment Zone.Carry out practical experiments using real tools and materials.Work on your own, in a team, or enlist the help of a friendly Science Explainer.Meet real-life working scientists. See them at work and ask questions.Help in actual research projects taking place in the region's universities.Experiment Zone opening times Monday - Friday: 11.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm) Saturday: 10.00am - 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm)Sunday: 11.00am - 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm)The Experiment Zone is for ages 7+, we restrict ...

Perfect for ages 7+ Included in your science centre admission

Making Space

Drop into the Making Space to design, play, weave, construct or create something special!All Making Space events are included in your Science Centre admission. Activities change regularly.The Making Space is open most weekends and during school holidays.

Perfect for All ages Included in your science centre admission

The Making Studios

We all have a creative side – you don’t have to be an artist to be creative and imagination has no age limit.In the Making Studios, a range of interactive exhibits from selfie booths* to poetry robots will help you tap into your inner creativity, while the studio spaces provide an opportunity to try your hand at a variety of hands-on making activities – covering everything from sewing and soldering, to cardboard construction and coding.

Perfect for All ages Included in your science centre admission

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Alien Worlds

11 May 2019 - 19 July 2019 Our Earth is a welcoming place for us humans, but what might it be like on different, alien, worlds?Humans love exploring – and we’re not stopping at our own planet! Although we can’t travel to most other worlds (yet!), in the immersive environment of our planetarium we can experience what it might be like.Dive through Saturn’s rings, fly above the Martian surface and find out what it’s like to walk on moons.

Perfect for Ages 5+ Included in your science centre admission

Planetarium

Life is home to the North’s biggest and best planetarium.In our planetarium, the skies are darker, the stars are brighter, the planets are so clearly defined, it looks like you could reach out and touch them.Thanks to the most sophisticated digital technology available, you can:Experience the most immersive, absorbing journeys through space and the solar system.See stunning space films and visuals that you won’t see anywhere else in the region.Experience real-time Live Skies shows where you can find out what’s happening in space right now.Zoom through space and land on planets throughout our solar system.Journey through the stars and see ...

Perfect for All Ages Included in your science centre admission

Naughty Monsters in the Sky

25 May 2019 - 22 May 2020 An exciting planetarium show for young children to explore a sky full of mysteries – are naughty monsters to blame?The sky is full of mysteries. Where does the Sun go at night? Why does the Moon change shape? Where do rainbows come from?Could it be naughty monsters playing tricks in the sky, or can we explain everything that we see with science? Find out in this exciting planetarium show for young children.

Perfect for under 7s Included in your science centre admission

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4D Motion Ride

You can expect to be blasted with wind and smoke, and you'll even be able to smell the action, on Life's 4D Motion Ride experience! For safety reasons you have to be at least 1.2 metres in height to use the Motion Ride. There are plenty of other things to enjoy if you’re smaller - just ask a member of staff. Shows are on at various times throughout the day, daily show times are available on arrival.

Perfect for anyone over 1.2m in height Included in your science centre admission

Ravine Race

6 April 2019 - 19 July 2019 Join the ultimate adrenaline junkies on a 600 mph race in jet- powered flying cars careering through the unforgiving desert terrain. Who will be the ultimate winner in this action-packed challenge? For safety reasons, you must be at least 1.2 metres in height to use the 4D Motion Ride. This show will be on at various times throughout the day, daily show times are available on arrival.

Perfect for anyone over 1.2m in height Included in your science centre admission

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Science Theatre

Awesome experiments and audience participation help to unravel science fact from science fiction in our fun, family-friendly shows. Shows change regularly and cover all sorts of science themes like dinosaurs, the weather, aerodynamics (with fake flying pigs as test pilots), reactions, chain reactions... the list goes on! The Science Theatre is equipped with an analogue induction loop. Shows are on at various times throughout the day, daily show times are available on arrival.

Perfect for all ages Included in your science centre admission

Super Hero Science

18 May 2019 - 22 September 2019 A show that explores superpowers and whether they really defy the laws of science.Wouldn't it be great to have superpowers like Iron Man and Spider-Man?Discover the science behind the nature-defying powers of your favourite Super Heroes in our Science Theatre show Super Hero Science.Watch as our Science Explainers recreate Spider-Man’s web-line and build an alternative power source for Iron Man’s mask live on stage!

Perfect for 5+ Included in your science centre admission

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Pre-school Days

Next Date: Tuesday 25 June 2019, 9:30 AM - 3:00 PM These regular events, led by Life's friendly Science Explainers, provide a delightful opportunity for young children to enjoy and explore the Science Centre.Each session offers a mix of classic activities, such as Piccolo Music workshops, mini-beast handling and a toddler bubble disco alongside new activities, so that every event is different. Access to our hands-on Young Explorers' Zone and special planetarium shows for little ones are also available.Pre-school days are drop in events so you can arrive and leave when it's convenient for you, but please be aware that spaces in Piccolo Music Workshops are limited and do tend to ...

Perfect for Ages 4 and under (and accompanying adults) Separate prices apply

Science Sessions: A Mechanical Dance

Next Date: Sunday 23 June 2019, 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM Are you aged between 13 and 18? Want to explore what you can really do with science? Life’s hands-on sessions for teenagers include a ‘no boring stuff’ guarantee!Whether you take part alone or with friends, you’re guaranteed to meet like-minded people, learn something new and have fun.A Mechanical DanceEngineer the components to design a hidden mechanism for a machine!From ancient Greece to the modern day, we have been fascinated by machines that replicate the actions of humans and animals.In this session, explore the science behind moving mechanisms, such as pulleys, levers, drives and gears, and then use your knowledge ...

Perfect for ages 13-18 Separate prices apply

Science Club Family Field Trip: Harehope Quarry

Next Date: Sunday 7 July 2019, 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Fun for Science Clubbers and their families in the great outdoors!It’s our 10th Annual Family Field Trip! Bring your whole family along for a day out unlike any other. This year we’re going to Harehope Quarry in Co. Durham. This former quarry has been transformed into a brilliant place to do some fieldwork. We’ll be looking at the ecology of the pond and river and searching for fossils. And of course there will be plenty of things to make and do.There’ll also be plenty of the usual science club fun and games all in the great outdoors!Key informationTo come ...

Separate prices apply

Game On 2.0: Extended Edition for Adults

Next Date: Friday 5 July 2019, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Level up your Friday night drinks with more than 150 video games to play, including retro consoles and arcade classics. Calling all adults: head to Life after-hours to be transported back to the 70s, 80s, 90s and relive your childhood as you explore five decades of video gaming. Enjoy a drink* and more than 150 playable games – including retro arcade classics, like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong, and early console games, such as Lemmings on the Commodore Amiga and Pong. Modern favourites are also available, including multiplayer party games, such as Just Dance and Wii Sports Resorts. ...

Perfect for 18+ Separate prices apply

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"We enjoyed the day so much we bought the annual membership, so we can bring our children and friends along!"

Visitor feedback

Opening times

Science Centre Times

Valid until 4 September 2019

Monday - Saturday	10.00am - 6.00pm

Sunday	11.00am - 6.00pm


Recommended last admission	4.00pm

The Science Centre will be busy with school groups on weekdays during term time.
For a quieter experience please visit after 2.00pm.

More info

Latest from Life

Marvel Super Heroes fly North to join forces with scientists

Marvel Universe LIVE! – a thrilling new live Super Hero show coming to Utilita Arena in Newcastle – is teaming up with Life Science Centre for some super hero fun.