Birmingham is home to numerous attractions popular among both tourists and locals. One of the most visited is the Thinktank Science Museum, located in the heart of the city. It has become a favourite leisure spot for adults and children of all ages. Visitors can spend the entire day at Thinktank, enjoying both entertainment and educational experiences. Read more on birmingham-future.
A Brief History
The modern Thinktank Science Museum is believed to have originated from a 19th-century collection dedicated to science and industry. Initially, this collection included exhibits from the Birmingham Proof House, a firearms testing facility renowned throughout the UK.
By the late 19th century, Birmingham opened its first Museum and Art Gallery, which housed not only firearms but also metalwork, ceramics, archaeological finds, and more. In 1951, the institution was officially renamed the Museum of Science and Industry.
By 1995, the museum’s collection had expanded significantly, prompting the local authorities to approve the construction of a new building. In 1997, the old museum closed, leaving Birmingham residents eagerly awaiting the grand reopening. Four years later, the new Thinktank Science Museum was unveiled. Unlike its predecessors, which had free entry, Thinktank requires tickets. The museum’s collections continue to grow, and the building itself undergoes ongoing modernisation.
What Can You See?
According to the Thinktank director, the museum’s mission is to “preserve the connection between the past, present, and future.” The museum’s exhibits are divided into the following collections:
- Art and Design – Many objects in this collection hold national and international significance. Visitors particularly enjoy exploring British decorative arts and design, including exclusive jewellery, glasswork, and metalwork.
- Human History – This collection showcases the history of Birmingham from around 1500 to the present day. Visitors can also explore European archaeology, numismatics, philately, ancient civilisations, and world cultures.
- Natural Sciences – The museum houses a diverse range of natural science exhibits, covering subjects such as Earth science, zoology, ornithology, entomology, invertebrates, and botany. Schoolchildren particularly enjoy viewing skeletons of mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
- Science and Industry – This collection highlights Birmingham’s crucial role in global industrial revolutions and technological innovations. Visitors can learn about the latest scientific breakthroughs and global advancements.
Museum Highlights
Thinktank Science Museum is located in the Millennium Point complex on Curzon Street. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, especially if planning a visit on weekends or during school holidays.
The museum offers a comprehensive educational programme, featuring interactive activities for schoolchildren. These programmes are open to both full classes and smaller groups. The educational initiatives include:
- Engaging sessions with a mobile planetarium, offering immersive experiences in astronomy and space exploration.
- Hands-on work with the “Museum in a Box”, a collection of curated artefacts designed for classroom learning and practical engagement.
- Art gallery workshops, where students explore connections between science and artistic expression.
One of the museum’s most recent and highly popular exhibitions is “Makers and Machines.” This exhibition delves into the long history of programming and the profound influence of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on society.
Additionally, Thinktank regularly organises special events to celebrate national holidays, Halloween-themed activities, and much more.