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 exhibitions or for entry to the planetarium, live theatre shows and the Making Studios. 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

Space Zone

Be inspired by the wonders of the Universe and how space exploration impacts our everyday lives in the brand new Space Zone.

The Making Studios

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.

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).

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 Science Theatre Special Events

Space Zone

Be inspired by the wonders of the Universe and how space exploration impacts our everyday lives. It’s easy to forget we live on a spinning rock that is whizzing through space. The new Space Zone brings space close to home: find out how we’re already using space technology in our everyday lives and discover how the future of space exploration is being shaped right here in the north east of England. Highlights include: Launch your own rocket. Climb inside a mock-up model of part of the International Space Station. Watch shows on a digital globe displaying Earth, Moon and ...

Perfect for 5+ 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 7+ (recommended) 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

Experiment Zone

In the Experiment Zone YOU are the scientist! Lab coat up and experiment with real chemicals.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.Opening timesMonday - 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 access to under 7s for safety reasons. Children aged 12 and ...

Perfect for ages 7+ Included in your science centre admission

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. Opening times Monday - Friday: 11.00am - 4.00pm (last entry 3.30pm) Saturday: 11.00am - 5.00pm (last entry 4.30pm) Sunday: 11.00am ...

Perfect for All ages Included in your science centre admission

Space Zone

Perfect for 5+ Included in your science centre admission

The Sphere

Part of our new Space Zone, the Sphere is a digital globe and show space where visitors can enjoy family-friendly presenter-led science shows. Show topics change regularly so there's always something new to learn! Currently showing: Climate Emergency Right across the globe, people are declaring a climate emergency. But why? And are we running out of time to act? Humans have walked the planet for a mere fraction of Earth’s existence yet, due to our activities, the planet is changing at an unprecedented rate which pushes the natural balances of the Earth to its limits. With ...

Perfect for 7+ (recommended) Included in your science centre admission

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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 ...

Perfect for All Ages 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

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"The staff are a credit to the Science Centre, all very professional but approachable."

Visitor feedback

Opening times

We are currently closed
Due to the government imposed lockdown, Life Science Centre, Life Meetings and Events and Times Square Café are currently closed. The Life team will miss you! We look forward to welcoming you again soon. In the meantime, stay safe.

Press releases

Life's sweet competition for Christmas: Engineer a Gingerbread House

Life Science Centre has cooked up the perfect competition for fans of The Great British Bake Off, with Andrew Smyth, an Aerospace Engineer and a former finalist of the TV show, launching its Engineer a Gingerbread House competition today.