The National Science and Media Museum’s New Pop Academy

Unleash your inner pop star at the National Science and Media Museum this summer in new Pop Academy.

Visitors of all ages are invited to enter their pop star era this summer at the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford in their new Pop Academy, running throughout the summer holidays from 18 July to 31 August.

Inspired by the museum’s latest temporary exhibition, Setting the Stage: 70 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest, Pop Academy activities bring to life themes of performance, music and stagecraft, giving visitors the chance to step into the spotlight and experience what it takes to be a pop star.

As part of the programme, visitors can become a sustainable pop star in the Recycled Remix Lab (tickets £2 per child, under-5s and adults free). In this hands-on workshop, visitors can give old electronics a new lease of life, experimenting with vibrations, acoustics and simple circuits to try their hand at being a pop producer and create their own unique beats.

Free activities included in museum admission are silent discos, dressing up and photo opportunities, giving families plenty of opportunities to capture their own star-worthy memories. Visitors can also follow the self-guided Pop Academy  trail across the museum to discover more about what it takes to be the next music sensation and explore objects from the museum’s collections.

Families can also put their Eurovision Song Contest knowledge to the test with the free Setting the Stage game show. Visit the exhibition to discover more about the technology that has made the Eurovision Song Contest possible over the last 70 years, then go head-to-head in the new interactive show led by the museum’s expert team of Explainers.

Pictureville Cinema’s popular Kids’ Club screenings will also get a Pop Academy makeover this summer, with special music themed Saturday editions including sing-a-long screenings of Frozen and Moana. An extended programme of family favourites will also screen daily throughout the summer holidays, giving young film fans plenty to enjoy for less, with all Kids’ Club tickets priced at just £3.

Beyond Pop Academy, families can also enjoy a range of free interactive gallery spaces as part of their visit. In Wonderlab, visitors are encouraged to think like a scientist and explore light and sound through hands on displays and experiments. In the Sound and Vision galleries they can also explore 200 years of history, delving into the past, present and future of media technologies by trying their hand at radio broadcasting, witnessing the fascinating world of practical effects for film and TV and experiencing the thrill of live music events.

The fun continues across the museum with ultimate gaming experience Power Up (entry £3) bringing generations of games together, from the ‘arcade boom’ of the 1970s to iconic home consoles and new releases from local developers. Visitors can complete their day in the museum’s IMAX – the largest screen in Yorkshire – with regular screenings of 45-minute documentaries, exploring everything from space, dinosaurs and the ocean (£9 adults, £7 concessions, £6.50 children).

Book your free museum admission here.

Main image: © Jason Lock.