THE Bradford Science Festival returns today with a packed schedule of hands-on experiences and live events. 

The festival will be the last chance to visit the National Science and Media Museum before it temporarily closes from June 5 until summer 2024 as part of its £6m transformation.   

The Sound and Vision project will create two new galleries, an additional passenger lift and an enhanced foyer space.  

Headlining Bradford Science Festival is Giant Leaps, an immersive experience created by acclaimed choreographer Corey Baker, while BradLab and STEM City will return to explore science happening locally and exciting career opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths.   

Over the May half term (May 27 to June 2), visitors will be able to get hands-on with science.

There will be opportunities for people to make their own chromotrope or see things up close in a microscope, along with special performances and dance workshops led by Corey Baker Dance and interactive science shows to explore the illuminating world of light.  

A big family weekend on June 3 and 4 will wrap up the festival.

Festivalgoers will be able to take part in family activities and interactive workshops with special giant puppet performances and live drumming.   

During the temporary closure, the museum’s Cubby Broccoli and IMAX screens will be closed, but the Pictureville Cinema will remain open seven days a week. 

Family-friendly IMAX 3D documentaries that explore Earth and space will be shown until June 5.  

Jo Quinton-Tulloch, director of the National Science and Media Museum said: “This year’s Bradford Science Festival will be even more special as it not only celebrates a fantastic programme but it also marks the last chance for our visitors to see the museum before our major transformation begins.

"On top of this, the museum will be celebrating its 40th birthday in June, which feels especially fitting as we enter this exciting new phase.” 

The Sound and Vision project is a £6m capital investment, and in addition to funding received from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project also has support from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund 2022-24, City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, and the Science Museum Group, which the National Science and Media Museum is a part of. 

For more information about Bradford Science Festival and to book free tickets, visit: www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/whats-on/bradford-science-festival.

For more information about cinema screenings and to book tickets, please visit: www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/cinema