We provide exciting, interactive zones and activities which are designed to inspire and entertain students.
Science centre experience
No school trip would be complete without a visit to our award-winning science centre.
Visit an exhibition, get hands-on in our interactive zones and see a show in one of our breathtaking spaces. We’ll provide an itinerary which is tailored to the learner level and focus of the group, so you don’t miss a thing.
We’re not like a museum where you’ll find stuff in cases and be expected to look and not touch. At Life, everyone is encouraged to get stuck in: explore, create and have fun. Our friendly team is always on hand to answer questions, explain activities and suggest new things to try.
Discover a collection of spectacular, interactive exhibits that explore air, light, sound and movement – all designed to give students a hands-on, memorable learning experience. Lightbox includes:
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The six-metre-high swirling tornado tower, the tallest in Europe, where students can create their own twisters and see air in action.
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A huge digital water projection, letting students move their bodies to shape waves and currents.
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A giant ‘string’ of light that can be moved to form glowing shapes and patterns.
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A heartbeat drum experience, where students can hear their own pulse as a rhythm.
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The Sneaky Feet corridor, challenging students to move as quietly as possible.
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Cloud rings that can be sent spinning through the air, exploring airflow and motion
Explore the impact space technology has on our everyday lives and how the future of space exploration is being shaped right here in the North East. Space Zone includes:
• A recreation of part of the International Space Station so students can experience what it’s like to be an astronaut.
• Mission Control, where students take the driving seat. They can work together to build a module of the International Space Station, land a space craft on the Moon and test prototypes to remove space debris.
• A careers board to highlight the variety of career opportunities available in the space industry.
• The Sphere, a stunning large-scale spherical projection screen, ideal for sharing a space-eye view of the Earth, other planets and the moon, and highlighting issues such as environmental change.
• The North’s biggest planetarium. We offer a mix of traditional planetarium shows and creative animated films. Our DigiStar 7 technology – the most advanced planetarium system in the world – makes the experience even more amazing. (Planetarium shows as part of the science centre visit are subject to availability.)
Discover a collection of engaging interactives that explore how forces, physics and chemistry are used in everyday life – and it’s full of hands-on fun for a memorable and impactful learning experience. Wow Zone includes:
• The six-metre tall ‘Big Machine’, where students work together and use the power of play to learn about forces, energy pathways and transfers.
• Electrical circuits for pupils to construct, using their problem-solving skills to create burglar alarms, hand dryers and light switches, while learning about currents, electricity and electromagnetism.
• Visible vibrations to let students see soundwaves.
• An infrared heat camera, allowing students to see things in a different light and explore energy and the properties of materials.
In the Brain Zone, students can explore the most fascinating and complex organ in the human body and investigate a range of biology curriculum topics.
Designed to develop understanding of our senses, consciousness, perceptions, emotions and how we learn, the Brain Zone includes:
• Memory games to test the brain and find out how we process information.
• Optical illusions that give students an insight into how their brain works, including a “trapdoor” to make stomachs drop.
• A real brain donated to science.
• A detailed look inside the brain, with our 3D digital model allowing students to explore real scans of the brain.
• Gaia, by British artist Luke Jerram, is a mesmerizing seven-metre-diameter installation of planet Earth. Created from detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface, it provides a unique opportunity for students to view our planet, floating in three dimensions.
• The installation aims to create a sense of the Overview Effect, which was first described by author Frank White in 1987. Common features of the experience for astronauts are a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.
• Upstairs in Hello World, overlooking Gaia, students can take an easel to create their very own Earth art masterpiece and display it on our ‘share and care’ picture wall.
Students can get hands-on in the Creativity Zone, with a range of interactive exhibits encouraging them to think, make and create, including:
• Gears and magnets to make a working machine.
• An exhibit where students work together to create a work of art, while only seeing half the picture.
• Inspirational LEGO® creations from local LEGO® artist Steve Mayes.
Play Zone is an interactive play environment for Key Stage 1 and Early Years pupils.
• Learn about the world through child-led imaginative role play.
• Light play tables facilitate exploratory play, immersing pupils in delightful phenomena.
• Construction and soft play areas allow children to develop and test their physical and manipulation skills.
Exciting experiments and audience participation are hallmarks of our live shows. Shows change regularly throughout the year and are subject to availability.
Take a look around…
In Lightbox, students explore air, light, sound and movement.
In Brain Zone, students can investigate how we learn, remember and perceive the world around us.
In Mission Control, students work together on a range of space related challenges.
Students can take an easel to create their very own Earth art masterpiece in Hello World.
Creativity Zone features a wide range of hands-on, interactive exhibits.
Younger school children will enjoy Play Zone, a hands-on area especially for under-7s.
A school visit to Life wouldn't be complete without a visit to our science theatre.
Space Zone and Making Studios have been made possible through the support of the Inspiring Science Fund – a partnership between UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and Wellcome. Additional support has been provided by The Garfield Weston Foundation and the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust. Brain Zone has been supported by the Wellcome Trust.
What other teachers say…
“We loved all the activities! We are currently doing a topic on Space, so the exhibits were all very relevant to support our learning.’
Ellingham Church of England Primary School
“Fantastic as always. The planetarium was out-of-this-world good!”
Highgate School
“Lots of very interesting displays and activities. Kept the pupils engaged. The Planetarium show was super.”
Fairview Primary School
School workshops
Complete your trip by adding on a school workshops. Choose from a range of topics which have been designed to reflect current STEM topics which are linked to the national curriculum.
Extend your experience
Extend your students’ experience by following up your visit to Life with a live virtual session your classroom, where students can connect with STEM professionals. For Key Stage 2 – Post-16.
Prices and booking information
Life Science Centre offers great value for money and our booking process is fuss-free.
Getting here
We’re situated in Newcastle City Centre, with great public transport links and limited coach parking available on site.
Get in touch
To check availability and to make a school booking, please call our bookings line on 0191 243 8223, Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 5.00pm. Queries can be made via our online enquiry form, but bookings should be made by phone.
