THE number of schools visiting the National Science and Media Museum since its groundbreaking Wonderlab opened has seen a large increase.

In March the National Media Museum underwent a re-branding, adding an increased focus on science, and opening its £1.8 million Wonderlab attraction.

Vicky Clifton, head of learning at the museum, told the Telegraph & Argus that the numbers of schools arranging visits at the museum had gone “through the roof” since the Wonderlab opened.

Attractions in the interactive space include a mirror maze, a 15-metre echo tube and a musical laser tunnel, as well as the world’s first permanent 3D-printed zoetrope.

People can experiment with light and sound, and there is also an interactive theatre space called The Studio, where spectacular light and sound shows are held.

When the Science Museum Group decided to re-brand the museum after falling visitor numbers, there was an effort to bring more focus on the STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths.

Mrs Clifton said: “In the past month things have absolutely gone through the roof.

“We’re seeing an increase in bookings, and up until the end of July we’re struggling to find spaces.

“On any given day we have hundreds of school children here.

“With the Wonderlab we have a lot more choice for visiting groups - do they want to go there or do a workshop, do they want to see one of the live shows, or do they want to go to the IMAX?

“In the past we have accommodated groups in different parts of the museum, there wasn’t always enough space. The Wonderlab just creates an entirely different atmosphere.

“The Studio is great, you see the young people experience a real wow moment when they go in there. The schools have all loved it, teachers tell us the kids are always really enthusiastic during and after their visit.

“It is fun too, a lot of the time you get young people thinking science and maths isn’t really for them, but this lets schools and teachers do what can’t be done in the classroom. A lot of the time the children are having so much fun they don’t even think they are learning. It is learning by stealth.

“As well as the schools there is also a programme for families, they can go into the shows too. You get the children really excited, but the parents are really excited too.

“Our target for visitors on booked groups last month was 1,070. The actual number was 1,588, which is 48 per cent up.

“We had 31,000 educational visits last year, we’re expecting to reach 36,000 this year.

“And in April 5,841 people saw one of the shows in the Studio at Wonderlab.”

Plans for the coming months will likely keep visitors streaming into the museum. A live performance based on the Cottingley Faeries hoax, celebrating its 100th anniversary, is currently being planned and shows will be held in The Studio over the summer months.

And the museum is also organising the Bradford Science Festival, which will be held over a weekend in July and involve events both in the museum and in City Park and other city centre venues.