We The Curious

Planetarium - Journey Through Space

The spectacular 3D planetarium features a 15-metre dome screen and state-of-the-art fulldome projection technology creating completely immersive astronomical experiences. Multiple shows daily range from family-friendly space adventures introducing young children to planets and stars, to in-depth explorations of black holes, distant galaxies, and the origins of the universe for astronomy enthusiasts.

Live presenters guide audiences through the current night sky visible from Bristol, explaining how to find constellations, identify planets, and understand seasonal changes in the celestial sphere.

Shows combine stunning visuals with expert commentary, transporting audiences to distant worlds, across the Milky Way, and back through cosmic time to the Big Bang. Special themed shows explore topics like the Moon landings, Mars exploration, exoplanets, and aurora displays. The planetarium hosts regular adult-only evening events with more advanced content and Q&A sessions with astronomers.

The combination of cutting-edge technology and expert presentation makes complex astronomy accessible and awe-inspiring for all ages, providing one of Bristol's most memorable visitor experiences.

All About Us - Human Body Gallery

This fascinating gallery explores the science of human biology through over 30 interactive exhibits investigating how our bodies work, develop, and interact with the world. Walk through a giant model of the human digestive system following food's journey from mouth to intestines. Test reaction times against athletes, measure lung capacity, explore optical illusions revealing how the brain processes visual information, and see thermal imaging showing heat patterns across the body.

Interactive displays explain the heart's pumping mechanism, demonstrate how muscles and bones work together for movement, explore the five senses through experimentation, and investigate the complexity of the human brain. Particularly engaging exhibits allow visitors to see their own skeleton via X-ray imaging, test balance and coordination, explore genetics and inheritance through family resemblance activities, and understand nutrition and health through interactive games.

The gallery addresses development from conception through childhood to aging, reproduction, and the factors affecting human health.

Content balances fun hands-on activities with substantive scientific information, making human biology accessible and personally relevant regardless of prior knowledge.

Curiosity Zone - Forces and Motion

The Curiosity Zone transforms physics from abstract theory into tangible, memorable experiences through over 50 interactive exhibits exploring forces, motion, light, sound, and energy. Build the tallest tower from construction materials and test its stability against vibrations and wind. Race objects down ramps exploring friction, mass, and acceleration.

Launch projectiles investigating trajectory, velocity, and air resistance. Create giant bubbles understanding surface tension and molecular forces. Generate electricity through pedal power, hand cranks, and solar panels demonstrating energy conversion.

Explore magnetism through levitating trains, magnetic sculptures, and compass experiments. Investigate light through prisms, mirrors, lenses, and fiber optics. Create sound waves, measure frequencies, explore harmonics, and understand acoustic principles through musical instruments and resonance experiments.

The gallery includes a shadow wall where bodies cast colored shadows, a tornado tube demonstrating fluid dynamics, and a bed of nails illustrating pressure distribution.

Every exhibit invites experimentation and play while revealing fundamental scientific principles that govern the physical world, making physics thrilling rather than intimidating.

Thinker's Space - Engineering and Making

The Thinker's Space provides resources, tools, and guidance for hands-on making, building, and creative problem-solving. Activities change regularly but typically include robotics programming challenges where visitors code robots to complete tasks, construction challenges using various materials from cardboard to Lego Technic, animation stations for creating stop-motion films, and design challenges requiring creative engineering solutions.

The space features 3D printers, computer stations with design software, craft materials, building sets, and technological tools allowing visitors to bring ideas to life.

Science communicators facilitate activities, provide guidance on techniques, and pose engineering challenges encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving. The emphasis is on process rather than perfect outcomes - experimenting, failing, learning, and trying again. Regular workshops explore specific topics in depth including coding, animation, engineering design, and maker skills.

The space demonstrates that science and technology are creative activities requiring imagination, persistence, and willingness to learn from mistakes. It's particularly popular with older children and teenagers who appreciate the opportunity for more sophisticated creative challenges than typical museum exhibits allow.