The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
IN SCIENCE WE TRUST
Aberdeen Science Centre is preparing to reopen to the public. Chief executive Bryan Snelling told Ellie House why it could become a fivestar visitor attraction
The world has had no choice but to put its faith in science, to live by facts and trust in the marvel of vaccines. We’ve all tried to wrap our heads around the science of infection and the solution in preventing Covid from spreading. As the country tentatively starts to open up on April 26, could we find joy in science of a different kind?
Bryan Snelling certainly thinks so and he has never lost faith in what he believes could bring people back to Aberdeen city centre.
But how do you lead the way as chief executive of an attraction which was forced to close – in the middle of a £6 million revamp?
With steadfast hope and incredible teamwork it would seem, for that has certainly been the order of the day at Aberdeen Science Centre (ASC) in Constitution Street.
The renovation of Scotland’s oldest science centre was long awaited and it spent two years in temporary accommodation in George Street.
From more than 60 new interactive exhibits to double the exhibition space on offer, the grand reopening was all set for June of last year.
It would be a further five months before staff were able to welcome visitors following the pandemic, only to close once again when a further lockdown came into force.
Despite the endless challenges, Bryan and his team are preparing to reopen on April 28 and are hopeful that tickets will sell out again.
And far from feeling downhearted at the turn of events, Bryan has big plans for the science centre to become a five-star visitor attraction.
“I don’t see why not; the shire has plenty of attractions in comparison to Aberdeen,” he said.
Bryan has already worked at what is currently the city’s only five-star attraction, having headed-up the Gordon Highlanders Museum for several years.
“I’ve been doing the job since the end of November 2019,” he said.
“So most of my time has been spent working from home, but it has still been fantastic.
“Aberdeen Science Centre attracts lots
of different demographics and we’re very inclusive. I think we would like to see more of the older generation come through the doors though.
“We’ve been open since 1988; our first location was in Justice Mill Lane, just down from the Bon Accord Baths.
“We’ve been in Constitution Street since the turn of the century and construction started in April 2019 for the revamp project.
“Of course it has been a challenge, but we were given this pause in time to re-evaluate what we wanted.”
Bryan and the team have been able to reach an international audience after embracing the online world.
“A science centre is a tangible, tactile place where people come to visit and to experience and learn through interaction,” said Bryan.
“Our challenge was to turn that around. If visitors couldn’t come to us, we had to find ways to take the experience of the centre to them.”
The team has developed a range of activities to do at home, which relate to some of the exhibits people might encounter on a visit to ASC.
“Our online presence has significantly raised our profile with a much wider group of people,” said Bryan.
“No longer restricted by geographic boundaries, we’re engaging with people across Scotland and beyond.
“The popularity of these online activities means many will continue post pandemic.”
The first STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) sleepover took
place last month, where maths and space focused escape rooms were on offer digitally.
An outreach team was also set up last year to give people in remote rural areas the chance to learn about STEM activities.
“We had a wonderful reception when we opened in November,” said Bryan.
“It was nerve-wracking, but everyone had such a smile on their face.
“The centre looks so much better than it did before. The feedback has been incredible.”
Among Bryan’s favourite exhibits are Robo-Thespian and the OPITO Theatre of Energy, which is the UK’s first immersive experience about energy.
“RoboThespian is essentially a robot with a personality,” said Bryan.
“We also have a little something upstairs. It’s a stop-motion film exhibit where you can actually make your own film.
“The very fact that every single weekend was sold out when we were open, that really showed what people want.
“I think people will appreciate places like ASC more, because all this time we’ve been told to follow the science.
“Matching STEM and science up will become even more important. Science centres will be at the forefront of engaging the young generation, it’s an exciting time.
“Let’s hope science is in pole position to beat this pandemic.”
Aberdeen Science Centre will open to the public on April 28.
THE CENTRE LOOKS SO MUCH BETTER THAN IT DID BEFORE AND THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE