The science discovery centre in Cardiff Bay has invested in an Imagination Playground as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.
Conceived and designed by award-winning architect David Rockwell, Imagination Playground is a mobile block-based play system that encourages child-directed, unstructured free play.
With a focus on loose parts, Imagination Playground features soft and oversized foam blocks, noodles, hinges, balls, and chutes with holes and shapes that fit together in a multitude of ways, allowing children to transform their environment and design their own course of play.
Following a re-jig of its exhibition floor space, which is home to 120 hands-on exhibits, a designated Imagination Playground has been built in the upper east wing of Techniquest.
Lesley Kirkpatrick, CEO of Techniquest, said: “We’re really proud to be celebrating our 30th anniversary, which marks a new era for the charity. As part of our celebrations we want to give our audiences new, interactive experiences that will help us in achieving our vision to be the UK’s leading science and discovery centre and an exemplar in innovative and interactive STEM engagement.
“The addition of an Imagination Playground is the first development we’re pleased to unveil, with several other exciting plans in the pipeline.
“It is a great addition to our hands-on exhibits as it is an innovative design in play equipment that encourages creativity, communication, and collaboration in play.
“Imagination Playground’s loose parts and manipulative environment provides children with the freedom to express their creativity and explore endless possibilities and I’m confident that it will be a popular experience for our younger audiences this half term and beyond.”
Over half term visitors to Techniquest can also explore the scary side of science. There will be eerie events and ghostly goings-on at the Spooky Science show and the chance to meet Graham the Ghost in the Planetarium, who has lost his glow.
The science discovery centre’s new-look coffee shop will also be open, where visitors can choose from a wide selection of locally-sourced drinks, sandwiches and snacks.
Techniquest is an educational charity based in Cardiff Bay. It is Wales’ largest provider of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) enrichment activity through its science discovery centre and UK-leading educational programme.
Techniquest offers more than 120-hands on exhibits, a Science Theatre, a Planetarium and a shop packed full of Welsh souvenirs and educational gifts.