Blog posts
What do you want to be when you grow up?
Blogging science to life
Fri 16 December 2011, Written by: Bonnie
Bonnie Buckley is currently doing an MsC in Science Communication in UWE and volunteers in At-Bristol in her spare time. Recently she met up with Goéry Delacôte, CEO of At-Bristol to discuss the practicalities of running a science centre and achieving your dreams.
One of the very first questions often asked of us when younger is, “what do you want to be when you grow up?” and discovering the answer to this question is quite exciting. However, once you know the answer, you are then faced with the next question, “how do I achieve my career goal?”
My career aspirations are to one day lead a science centre. To complement my educational pursuit of a Science Communication MSc, I began volunteering at At-Bristol in October. I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Goéry Delacôte, At-Bristol’s Chief Executive Officer, to discuss his view on some of the abilities and talent needed to successfully lead a science centre.
Following our discussion, I have gained knowledge toward further developments to focus on as I continue to learn and expand my experience in the field. Some of the highlights were:
- It is important to always have a strategy and be passionate and intelligent.
- Know the needs of your audiences in relation to your mission and travel to those that are unable to come to you.
- When building a network, create the need for a network, making it advantageous for all involved.
- Be an enabler for the people you work with, highlighting the strengths of individuals to produce a successful product as a team.
The remainder of my day was spent helping visitors create Christmas toys and ornaments in Santa's Invention workshop in Live Lab. While cutting felt and tying ribbon, I felt a sense of excitement over the prospect of the many future experiences, projects, visitor interactions, and programmes that I will continue to learn from on my adventure to one day leading a science centre.
My recent discussion with Goéry Delacôte will remain as a prominent moment of learning. His insight, wisdom, and advice have added to my motivation and passion for my chosen career goal. The question that now resonates in my mind, a question I was asked during our conversation, is “are you determined?”
Find more information about the At-Bristol volunteering scheme here
Dear Santa…
Blogging science to life
Fri 9 December 2011, Written by: Nicole
If all you want for Christmas is some quirky gift ideas - At-Bristol has a treat for you!
To spread some festive cheer, and as a thank you to everyone who has supported us over the past year, we are offering a 15% discount in the At-Bristol shop.
Chock full of interesting, amazing and quirky gadgets and gifts the At-Bristol shop is great for kids and big kids alike. Whether you are after that one special something or a couple of stocking fillers the shop has it all - and now you can get 15% off!
Simply download and print out the voucher below to receive this special seasonal treat when you come into our shop to make your purchases.
The voucher is valid until 31 December 2011 and cannot be used to buy gift vouchers or gift membership (which also makes a great present by the way!).
Abu Dhabi Science festival uncovered!
Blogging science to life
Fri 9 December 2011, Written by: Nicole
The At-Bristol team were delighted to be chosen to attend the Abu Dhabi first science festival – and not just because it gave the Learning team an excuse for a bit of a holiday!
After the success of the Bright Sparks and Inspiring Interactions projects, in which our focus was firmly on the At-Bristol mission statement of making science accessible to all, the Abu Dhabi science festival seemed like another great opportunity to build on this fantastic work. Especially since the field of science communication and the delivery of science in this way is new in Abu Dhabi – and is what we are all about!
So two of our team, Alice and Chris, set off with the At-Bristol portable exhibits and all their science communication expertise for a week of ‘work’! They started the week by meeting their Arabic-speaking co-hosts and then got down to the matter of training.
As well as the portables, which are mini science exhiblets for families and schools, there were also science skills workshops for the team to deliver. And with over 15,000 school children expected they had their work cut out!
The portables were given bit of a makeover, complete with Arabic graphics ready for the Emirati visitors, the At-Bristol stand was ready and in prime position right next to the red carpet which was out for the Sheikh to open the festival.
The festival, which was launched in partnership with Edinburgh International Science Festival, ran from 18 – 26 November was a brilliant success with over 100,000 visitors attended in just 7 days – 40,000 more than they were expecting!
The some of the other fantastic exhibitions and workshops included a tomb with a mummy inside, a robot zoo, an Emergency Room workshop (with 6 wards with injured manakins awaiting treatment) and the world's largest fossil dig-pit! Even the Honda robot made an appearance!
We can’t wait to hear about next year’s festival schedule!
To read more about the festival visit Edinburgh International Science Festival’s blog.
Get £1.50 off entry this Wednesday!
Blogging science to life
Mon 28 November 2011, Written by: Nicole
If you are looking for something to do with your children this Wednesday then look no further! At-Bristol is offering £1.50 off per person for up to four people.
Simply quote ‘science rocks’ when buying your tickets at the front desk to get this brilliant offer!
With hundreds of interactive exhibits, including the chance to look at your own veins, run in a giant hamster wheel and even make your own animation, At-Bristol is a great educational choice for a day out. In the Live Lab space you can take part in real experiments including DNA extraction and dissection and then discover the wonders of the human body in All About Us.
Explore the night sky in the Planetarium, see the Autumn night sky show at 2.30pm or ask at the front desk about our Planetarium school shows to find out which is most suitable!
With lockers and a big bright indoor picnic space there are lots of child friendly facilities to make your day as affordable and stress-free as possible!
Terms and conditions
Discount is £1.50 per person for up to four people
Offer only valid on 30/11/11.
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer and must be declared when booking in advance.
Not to be used by education, group visits or At-Bristol members.
Toddler Takeover – Colour Spectacular!
Blogging science to life
Thu 24 November 2011, Written by: Nicole
Forget grey skies and dark evenings with a kaleidoscope of different activities in tomorrow’s Toddler Takeover Colour Spectacular!
If you and your little ones have been enjoying the colourful autumn leaves outside then the colouful leaf painting and printing in Live Lab is sure to be a hit!
Along with painting pretty autumn leaves toddlers can explore light and dark with the special shadow screen. They will get the opportunity to make shadow puppets, test them out and take them home so that the fun can continue!
Shadows aren’t the only interesting things that come out at night there are also twinkly stars and toddlers can start to learn all about the wonders of night sky with the Little Stars Planetarium show. Let the friendly faces of Ursa and Leo take them on an adventure into space!
As well as all of this and the hundreds of exhibits there is also storytelling that is sure to ignite young imaginations. Our new story, Lights on, Lights off, sees Ursa and Leo adventuring into the world of camping discovering the exotic noises and shadows of the garden at night. Filled with sounds and actions storytelling is sure to engage little ears!
As well as getting reduced entry, we also have lots of toddler-friendly facilities, including:
- Breastfeeding room
- High chairs
- Picnic area
- Buggy parks
- Nappy changing facilities
Plus Toddler Takeover days are also a great way to meet other parents and carers!
Toddler Takeover Colour Spectacular
25 November: 10am - 4pm
The Planetarium show will be running throughout the day (last show at 3.30pm).
Buy tickets online or call 0845 345 1235 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, excluding bank holidays) to speak to our lovely Bookings team!
Are you sitting comfortably… then let the new storytelling begin!
Blogging science to life
Fri 4 November 2011, Written by: Nicole
November is the time to get all warm, cosy and settle in to hear a good story. So with that in mind our Live Science team have put their heads together to come up with some exciting new stories.
Storytelling in At-Bristol is especially designed for the under fives and filled with actions and sounds. This immersive experience gives little ones the chance to go on an imaginative adventure exploring the world around them.
In the new and improved storytelling we have upped the ante on interactivity and added a seasonal science focus. Plus they will also feature simple science experiments for little ones to copy at home!
The team have been busy devising a whole range of new stories to ignite imaginations which will be introduced over the coming year. This weekend we’re launching of ‘Light on, Lights off’ a story all about light and dark – perfect for this time of year! Our favourite science explorers from Little Stars, Ursa and Leo, go camping and learn all about light!
So if you’re looking for a way to add a bit of sparkle into your weekend and don’t fancy bracing the elements you know where to come!!
Storytelling 11.30am weekends and holidays
Buy tickets
Gore Blimey! It’s half term!
Blogging science to life
Fri 21 October 2011, Written by: Nicole
From Saturday 22 October, Live Lab will be transformed into Gore Blimey! Dissection lab. There will be round the clock organ dissections, where you can really get to grips with amazing organs. Compare how your eye matches up to a horses’s, find out how much blood pumps through a heart and bring science to life (literally!) by dissecting and re-animating a sheep’s lung!
For the more squeamish amoung us, never fear, there are other anatomical activities to entertain you. What better way to understand exactly what is under our skin than to see it– with vein, muscles and bones body painting!
If you have ever wondered how blood clots form, or are thinking about making your own horror film, make sure you look out for our fake blood bank – where you can make DIY blood!
Things can continue on the physical theme with All About Us, see if you have got your vein painting right with Vein Viewer and get a feel for brains … with Weigh-a -Brain!
And if you fancy a break from bodies you can always escape to the Planetarium to watch the Autumn night sky or Little Stars, listen to an imaginative story with storytelling or playing on the hundreds of exhibits on offer.
Dissection Lab: 22 - 31 October. Throughout the day.
Boggling Brain show: 12.15, 13.30 and 15.45
Storytelling: 11.00 and 14.30
Autumn night sky: 11:00, 12:30, 13:15, 14:45, 15:30, 16:15
Little Stars: 11.45, 14.00
Beat the rush, plan your day your way and buy tickets online
Get star struck – it’s World Space week!
Blogging science to life
Fri 7 October 2011, Written by: Nicole
For those of you who don’t know it has been World Space Week all this week! So don’t let it pass you by, come to At-Bristol to experience a bit of intergalactic fun!
This year’s theme is all about celebrating 50 years of human space flight. Since Yuri Gagarin’s first seminal orbit of the earth on 12 April 1961 to the International Space Station that is still in use today – its all about celebrating the awe inspiring and out of this world (quite literally)!
If you want a better idea of some of the science behind space flight why not visit At-Bristol’s space gallery. Here you can learn about biospheres, see the amazing images from the Hubble Telescope and even see a real arm from an international space station.
After that you can get spaced out in the Planetarium where you can explore the wonders of the stars without having to suit up, unless you want to of course! As well as the Autumn night sky Planetarium show, have your rockets at the ready for the Little Stars Planetarium show, which is especially for the under fives.
So in celebration of World Space week here is a silly space joke -
How do spacemen pass the time on long space trips?
They play astro-noughts and crosses- get it?!
Happy Friday!
Autumn night sky show times 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 15.00, 16.00
Little Stars 14.00
Buy tickets
Splish, splash, splosh! your way to Toddler Takeover…
Blogging science to life
Thu 29 September 2011, Written by: Nicole
Splish, splash, splosh! will give little ones the chance to cool off and explore the wonderful world of water with fun-packed activities designed especially for the under fives!
The team have been busy making preparations for the first Toddler Takeover of the new school year. Toddler’s can catch fish, float rubber ducks, water flowers in the garden, paint raindrops for our giant garden scene and splash around with watery ‘sink or float’ experiments.
.jpg "Toddler Takeover - splash around!")
On top of that are the hundreds of At-Bristol exhibits, which your little nippers can push, pull, twist and turn! Plus with storytelling you can hear all about a special pair of welly boots which have an interesting day out!
The Planetarium is only showing our Little Stars show, which is specially designed for the under fives, so after all of that they can go on an amazing adventure spotting twinkly stars.
There’s loads of toddler-friendly facilities to ensure you are free to enjoy your day, with buggy parks, breastfeeding rooms, high chairs, nappy changing facilities and a picnic area. But with this wonderful weather you might want to enjoy your packed lunch in the wonderful surroundings of Millennium Square.
So dust off your wellys and we’ll see you tomorrow!
30 September Toddler Takeover Splish, splash, splosh
Last Little Stars show 3.30pm
To book tickets please call 0845 345 1235 (Monday – Friday excluding bank holidays).
Bristol breaks made easy!
Blogging science to life
Tue 27 September 2011, Written by: Nicole
At-Bristol and The Grand are thrilled to announce a new family bed and activity package for October.
Prices start from £190 for a family of three, £240 for a family of four, for two night’s accommodation and breakfast in the recently updated The Grand Hotel, dinner on one night and a trip to At-Bristol for all the family.
And with a packed programme of October events At-Bristol has planned and the chance to stay in the luxurious city centre hotel, this is a brilliant offer not to be missed!
It is just a short walk between them and the city center location of both venues make sightseeing easy - in fact the Bristol City Sightseeing bus stops directly outside At-Bristol.
When in At-Bristol families can enjoy the hundreds of interactive exhibits, take a trip to the stars in the Planetarium and enjoy an action-packed Live Science show. Plus, over October half term, we have lots of thrilling activities for the Halloween break!
Get under the skin of what really makes us so fascinating with the special dissection labs in Gore Blimey! Visitors can ‘slice and dice’ their way to finding out about their organs and the eew-some work they do!
Visitors can part in some real blood curdling activities, have a look at amazing microscope slides and see if you can trick your family with a gruesome face painting with a difference with veins, exposed muscles and even wounds!
After a brilliant day out you can return to the beautiful surroundings of The Grand. Relax with a swim in the pool and finish off your day with a delicious meal in the lovely Tyrells restaurant – perfect!
This great offer is available from 1 October 2011 until 31 October 2011.
For more information visit The Grand website or call 0871 376 9042
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