Winchester Science Centre is an excellent place to spend a fun day out with your family.

It is open on weekends and school holidays, providing a great opportunity for everyone to indulge their curiosity about science.

The centre provides various exciting exhibits covering the topics of sound and space, along with many engaging shows that feature live science demonstrations or informative presentations in the Planetarium. 

The centre is run by the independent children's charity Wonderseekers. It is on a mission to make science accessible to all, which it has achieved through its arrangements for public visits and outreach events during the week.

The charity has made significant changes to the centre's instantly recognisable building to ensure that learning is an enjoyable experience for everyone.

This includes the Recombobulation Room, a quiet space for anyone who needs to take a moment to themselves to reset, working with acoustic specialists to reduce the noise level inside the building, and upgrading the Planetarium in 2019 for better accessibility, including an induction loop, calm presentations with low lighting, and support for those with hearing or visual impairments.

These changes are crucial to creating inclusive spaces for children to learn science and for families to have an enjoyable day out.

Hampshire Chronicle: THe Recombobulation room

Daniella Bard, communications officer at Wonderseekers, said: “I joined Wonderseekers and Winchester Science Centre in January this year.

"As someone who uses a wheelchair, it’s really refreshing to work in a space that is accepting, welcoming, and where everyone feels valued, whether you are a member of staff or a visitor. The simple adaptations to the building such as, automatic doors, a lift, and lots of space in between exhibits, together with the support of my colleagues, mean that for first time I feel completely comfortable and confident working with additional needs.

"Here, accessibility is not ignored, it is encouraged. The Science Centre isn’t perfect. But the charity is on a journey and really open to suggestions and advice on other ways they can improve. I feel extremely fortunate to be a part of the Wonderseekers family.” 

Additionally, Winchester Science Centre runs many activities outside of its normal working hours, such as hosting badge nights for uniform groups like Guides, Scouts, Brownies, and Cubs. Wonderseekers is also committed to bringing the joy of science to children who may not be able to visit Winchester Science Centre. 

The dedicated Equity Community Engagement and Outreach team, known as ECO, engage with children and their families in schools and at community events.

In recent times, ECO has done some incredible work in Hampshire, such as hosting rocketship building workshops where the children built rockets with K’nex around a plastic bottle at Winnall’s Holidays, Activities and Food (HAFs) programme or learning about plants and planting some herbs in Leigh Park.

The ECO team continues to do amazing work outside of the confines of the Winchester Science Centre and bring science fun to those who may not have traditionally come to the science centre.

Wonderseekers and Winchester Science Centre aims to provide all children with the opportunity to participate in and enjoy science, encouraging them to ask questions and explore the world around them. Therefore, it is the perfect place to visit with family, where lasting memories will be created.

  • This article was written by Sophie Parr, from Peter Symonds College, as part of Newsquest's Young Reporter Scheme.