Eureka! A look inside the new Seacombe science and discovery museum

Local leaders and dignitaries including the Metro Mayor, Mayor of Wirral, and the Leader of Wirral Council were yesterday invited to an early preview of the new Eureka! Science and Discovery attraction at Seacombe.

Local and national media were also shown around the venue, opening to the public next month, which includes science-themed interactive displays, a giant 12-foot cat complete with wagging tail, pinball machines and for adventurous little ones, an indoor climbing tree.

Next to the newly refurbished Seacombe Ferry Terminal, the nationally significant attraction opens on 11 November and plays a key part in Wirral’s regeneration strategy.

Leader of Wirral Council, Janette Williamson, said, “When we approached them in 2016 we very much wanted them to choose here, it’s an amazing location.

“They work really closely with local communities and they saw that this is a very strong community. They also wanted to work with Wirral Council to fit in with our wider regeneration and fit in with what’s going on all along the left bank.”

Leigh-Anne Stradeski, Chief Executive of Eureka, was there to welcome guests. “It’s a perfect location because the buildings here are spectacular, right on the banks of the Mersey,” she said. “Our children’s museum in Halifax has been open for 30 years now, for children up to the ages of 11.

“One of the big differences here is we cater for children up to 14. We focus on STEAM: science, technology, engineering, arts and maths. We will be opening another part of the experience in the terminal building next year for under sevens. We’ve been co-creating with the local children.”

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said, “it’s exciting to welcome Eureka Science and Discovery to the region, to this wonderful, modern, vibrant and interactive space. It’s also the catalyst for transformation for the area and symbolic of the modernisation that I want for areas throughout the city region. This project is just one element of nearly £15m worth of investment, £6.4m for this building alone and the improvements to the ferry terminal itself.

“It fills me with optimism to hear about the emphasis that Eureka is putting on STEAM subjects, helping to introduce our young people into topics such as life sciences, digital innovation and Green Technology, especially for our young women.

“We need to be asking ourselves why, when women make up over half of the workforce, are eight out of ten coders male? Why is barely one in eight STEM workers female? Are we really prepared and willing to accept that inequality? I know I’m not and I know we can do better and we have to do better.”

Eureka Science and Discovery opens to the public on 11 November. Entrance for children under 3 is £6.95 and for children and adults £15.95, this entitles visitors to unlimited free entry for one year. However, visitors who book now before the Discovery Café and The Burrow (area for under sevens) open in the new year will have their passes extended until the end of 2023.