Techniquest

06/01/2024

If you’re celebrating this month, why not pop along to Coffee Mania Cardiff to try their delicious Vegan treats 🌿

05/01/2024

One week today: our first Toddler day of 2024 👶🏻

Your little ones can enjoy a story-time and craft all about superheroes, and Happy Hands will be here for music, movement and mindfulness ❤️

Book in advance, tickets are selling fast!

https://www.techniquest.org/events/toddler-day/

P.S. Don’t forget to wrap up warm whilst our boilers are being replaced — we will have temporary heaters in place, but just in case :)

04/01/2024

Have you got an event to organise in 2024?

From four delegates to 800, we have made it easy to use our unique space to cater for any size and type of event.

Here’s what Catherine Evans, Policy & Communications Manager at Cwmpas had to say:

“Techniquest was a brilliant venue and I've had nothing but praise and positive feedback about the building, accessibility, catering and staff. The event really showed Cardiff and Wales in a positive light. I'm sure we'll organise events with you in the future.”

Read more and contact us here https://www.techniquest.org/hire-our-space/

04/01/2024

Sir Isaac Newton was born on this day 1643.

Among his many achievements, he made significant contributions to optics, experimenting with prisms and demonstrating that white light is composed of a spectrum of colours.

03/01/2024

Just a reminder to wrap up from mid Jan as we are getting new boilers installed and it may feel a little chillier than usual 🥶

We’ll be taking the old ones out from Fri 12 Jan to make room — so although we’ll have temporary heating in place, wrap up extra warm just in case 😊

02/01/2024

Hello 2024! We are open every day this week for the last few days of the holidays 🥳

Come & explore our exhibits (some brand new!), see the stars in our super snug planetarium and enjoy our entertaining live science show ‘Ice Ice, Maybe’.

Book at techniquest.org

29/12/2023

Too many Christmas treats and feeling sluggish? Get your energy up and your heart beating in our physical zone, whilst learning about the science behind why exercise is good for us!

How many seconds can you hang on the ‘hanging bar’, and how long does it take to burn off a slice of pizza vs. a salad? 🥗🍕

Open all weekend! Book at www.techniquest.org

28/12/2023

The 1939 classic ‘The Wizard of Oz’ features one of the most iconic scenes in cinema history, in which Dorothy opens the door from the sepia farmhouse to the vivid Technicolor world of Oz — but how did MGM achieve the visually-striking frame?

Instead of painstakingly stencil printing each frame by hand, they simply painted the inside of the farmhouse sepia and had Dorothy’s stand-in open the door wearing a sepia-rinsed version of the famous gingham dress. When the door is opened, Judy Garland walks through to the multicoloured world of Oz wearing her light blue clothes.

26/12/2023

Do you know why penguins love bubbles? 🐧🫧

Come along to our live science show ‘Ice Ice Maybe’ to find out ❄️❄️

On every day of the Christmas holidays and every weekend in January – don’t miss out and book here! 👇🏼
https://www.techniquest.org/events/ice-ice-maybe/

25/12/2023

Happy Christmas, from us all at Techniquest 🎁

Back open 27 Dec!

24/12/2023

One more sleep 🙌🏻🎅🏼

If you're getting out and about over the holidays, why not check out the Cardiff Bay Snow Trail? ❄️🎄

Visitors to Mermaid Quay can follow the snow trail – you can pocket a prize every week in the Snap a Selfie competition, and work out the festive word for your chance to win a fantastic family stay and play in Cardiff Bay!

https://www.visitcardiffbay.info/the-cardiff-bay-snow-trail/

Don’t forget to check inside Techniquest when you visit, for more snowy fun… ☃️

23/12/2023

Hope to see you over the holidays 🦾❤️🔭🧪

22/12/2023

The unthinkable has happened: Santa’s legendary magic master key has vanished into thin air 🗝🎅🏼

We suspect a mischievous elf has gone rogue, and it’s up to you to don your lab coats and become super sleuths.

Unlock the secrets of forensic science as you unearth hidden clues. You’ll dive into the world of crime-solving by looking for fingerprints, analysing mysterious clothing fibres, and uncovering the secrets of ink through chromatography.

Will you accept this mission to crack the case, apprehend the elusive culprit, and save Christmas? 🎄

Last chance this weekend to be part of Santa’s special Spy Squad 🔎🎅🏼

Book here 👇🏼

https://www.techniquest.org/events/santas-spy-squad/

21/12/2023

Santa has delivered some Christmas presents early 🎁

Next time you visit, check out our three brand new exhibits — Plasma Sphere, Hot Air Balloon and Coloured Shadows... Let us know what you think!

20/12/2023

🎁🎄 TECHNIQUEST GIFT SHOP 🎁🎄

If you are in the Bay or visiting us before Christmas, don’t forget to pop in to our gift shop where there are gifts galore for all ages and budgets 🙌🏻

As well as Christmas-themed gifts, we've hand-picked the best in science books and gifts — from building human bodies, making machines and chemistry sets, to fact-filled books and purse-friendly stocking fillers, you’ll be sure to find something special for the budding scientists in your lives!

20/12/2023

Did you know? The first on-screen appearance of Mrs. Claus was in the 1964 sci-fi film ‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’ 🤶🏻

Santa's wife was created by James Rees in ‘A Christmas Legend’, a story written in 1849 — meaning she had to wait 115 yrs to get her silver screen debut!

19/12/2023

Come and ‘hang around’ with us this Christmas 🎄

Elf’s not doing so well — can you do better? 🙃

Open every day during the holidays except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Don’t forget to pre-book 🦾

http://www.techniquest.org

18/12/2023

Celebrating all TWINS today on National Twin Day 👯

Thanks to twins Ella and Noah for visiting us, and for working together so wonderfully to find the treasure 👑🏆🥇

Have you managed to open the treasure chest?

15/12/2023

If you are visiting us this weekend, don’t forget to pop into Coffee Mania Cardiff next door for one of their fabulously festive treats 🍪☕️🍦

We are especially loving their Christmas hot chocolate range and yummy cakes 😋

14/12/2023

‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ was shot in Los Angeles during summer time, meaning director Frank Capra and his technicians had to get creative to achieve the iconic snowy cityscape look.

Instead of using coloured cornflakes like some Christmas films prior, the ‘snow’ you see in the festive classic was engineered using a mixture of Foamite — used mainly in fire extinguishers — water, sugar, and soap, and around 6,000 gallons were used during filming!

13/12/2023

Stuck for a present? Why not give the gift of science with our annual Off-Peak Pass 🎁

The pass allows visitors to come back to explore the main exhibition floor as many times as they like during 12 months from issue, on any weekend that falls outside of the local school holidays, or on any General Admission, After 3pm or Toddler Day session that may be running on weekdays during term-time.

Those times are usually a little quieter at Techniquest, so they’re a great time to visit if the busier bustle of school holidays is something rather avoided.

🎫 Child off-peak annual pass £30

🎫 Family off-peak annual pass £125 (up to 5 people)

Read more and purchase here:

https://tickets.techniquest.org/category/27594?navItem=556137

12/12/2023

We will be closed this Friday 15 December in the afternoon for a private event.

Back open 10am Saturday!

11/12/2023

Only 3 more days til “After Hours: Silent Nights & Icy Science” is upon us 👏🏻❄️

Come & enjoy a ‘silent’ boogie, a play on the exhibits and a festive tipple with friends or colleagues 🎧🥂

Last tickets remaining!
📅 14 Dec from 7pm
🎫 £15 per ticket

➡️ https://www.techniquest.org/events/after-hours-silent-nights-icy-science/

09/12/2023

Pre-book your Christmas holiday tickets to avoid disappointment!

We are open every day after Christmas until 7th January (except Boxing Day and New Year’s Day), so why not come and make holiday memories at Techniquest ❤️

Capture the perfect ‘elfie’ in our sleigh while you visit 🛷

What’s on? 👇🏼

🔎 100+ hands-on exhibits
☃️ Snow trail
❄️ Ice Ice Maybe live science show
⭐️ Star Tours in the Planetarium

Book now! www.techniquest.org

08/12/2023

Did you know? In the 1966 classic ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas!’ — based on the Dr. Seuss book of the same name — all the songs were written using a made-up language now dubbed ‘Seussian Latin’.

The songs were penned by Seuss [Ted Geisel] himself, who developed his trademark way with words by mimicking classic Latin sounds. One example can be found in the track ‘Welcome to Christmas’, which begins ‘Fah-who foris, dah-who doris, welcome Christmas, bring your light’.

06/12/2023

Great to welcome UK Space Agency this week to Techniquest, where they celebrated their Accelerator event 👏🏻

04/12/2023

Did you know it’s Wales Climate Week? 💨☔️🔥

Read all about how you or your school or business can participate in the climate conversation here:

https://www.climateweek.gov.wales

And don’t forget you can learn all about climate change here at Techniquest, with our hands-on exhibits such as the hurricane and the greenhouse gases exhibit 💛

03/12/2023

It is our aim to make everyone welcome, and to be as inclusive as we can here at Techniquest 💛

Did you know we have Sensory Bags you can request at reception? 🛍

Ideal for visitors who feel they might improve their enjoyment of the Techniquest experience, each bag will include items such as ear defenders, visual aids such as a map and story, and sensory toys to help manage emotions ❤️

Take a look at our accessibility page too, where we've highlighted a few key aspects that should help you plan ahead https://www.techniquest.org/visit/access-and-facilities/

Any other queries, please feel free to email us at [email protected]

01/12/2023

Today sees the arrival of the much-anticipated Cardiff Bay Snow Trail ☃️

This Saturday and Sunday between 12pm and 4pm, visitors to Mermaid Quay will be able to enjoy an afternoon of free family fun with games, face-painting, and prizes to be won 🙌🏻

❄️Don’t forget to check inside Techniquest when you visit, for more snow trail fun…

Cardiff Bay Official

01/12/2023

🪩🎄 Kids’ Christmas Party - last tickets remaining! 🎄🪩

📆 5.30–8.30pm on Saturday 16th December
🧒🏻 Age guide 3–8
🎟 £10 per ticket

Here’s what’s included:

-Entry to Techniquest’s two exhibition floors
-A Santa walk-around
-Silent Disco
-‘Ice Ice Maybe’ live science show (first come, first served)

➡️ Book tickets here

Festive fun-seekers are invited to an exciting evening opening at Techniquest with access to two floors of hands-on exhibits, treats, music and entertainment.

30/11/2023

2024 Home Educator FULL DAY trials 👏🏻

You asked, and we’ve listened 😀

From January to March, we are pleased to announce we will be trialling a Home Ed day from 10am–5pm instead of the usual 2pm–5pm.

Dates are planned as follows:
Wed 17 January
Wed 7 February
Wed 6 March

We are anticipating these will be popular so don’t delay and book today!

https://www.techniquest.org/events/home-educator-session/

29/11/2023

Great to welcome Community Housing Cymru to Techniquest for their annual conference this week!

They do such wonderful work, and we were so pleased they chose us as their choice of venue 😀

28/11/2023

On This Day 1893: Women vote for the first time in New Zealand 🇳🇿

It took another 35 years for women to be granted the same voting rights as men in the UK 😲

25/11/2023

Celebrating a few of our Mermaid Quay - Cardiff Bay Cardiff Bay neighbours this Small Business Saturday ❤️

Coffee Mania Cardiff
Fabulous Welshcakes
Magic Wrap
Cadwaladers
Ken Picton Salon

Why not like and share some of your favourite small businesses? Let’s share the love and support our communities 💪🏼

24/11/2023

1859: Charles Darwin published “On the Origin of Species” 🦍📘

Did you know that Darwin’s voyage on HMS Beagle, which inspired his work, lasted almost 5 years from 1831 to 1836? 😲

24/11/2023

The final Toddler Day of 2023 is next week! 💕👶🏻💫

The story time and ‘make & take’ is based around the charming book ‘Poles Apart’ 🐻❄️ and the wonderful Hartbeeps will be joining us for some Christmas fun and music 🎄🎶

📆 Fri 1 December 10am-5pm

Under 3s go free 🙌🏻

Hope to see you there!

https://www.techniquest.org/events/toddler-day/

23/11/2023

“After Hours: Silent Nights & Icy Science” is here! 🎄🪩💫

📆 14 Dec from 7pm.

YOUR £15 TICKET INCLUDES:

✯ Entry to Techniquest for the evening
✯ Glass of bubbles on arrival
✯ Ice Ice Maybe live science show*
✯ Star Tours in the 360° Planetarium*
✯ Silent disco

Come and celebrate Christmas by exploring the magic of science, and dancing the night away with friends 🎶

➡️ Early Bird tickets are now sold out, but there are still plenty of £15 tickets available – and that includes a free drink on arrival 🍾

https://www.techniquest.org/events/after-hours-silent-nights-icy-science/

23/11/2023

Let your little ones jingle all the way to the ball with Techniquest Kids’ Christmas Party 🎄⭐️🪩

📆 5.30–8.30pm on Saturday 16th December
🧒🏻 Age guide 3–8
🎟 £10 per ticket

Here’s what’s included:

✯ Entry to Techniquest’s two exhibition floors
✯ A Santa walk-around 🎅🏼
✯ Silent Disco 🎶
✯ ‘Ice Ice Maybe’ live science show (first come, first served)

Book tickets here https://www.techniquest.org/events/kids-christmas-party/