I Have Found It!
{mosimage} So you have problems persuading the family to fly with you? Don’t we all! There are so many reasons, most of them so very reasonable, and so many other things to do.
There is at least one way to start chipping away at their earth bound resolve, and that is the lure of interesting places to go. Romantic hideaways are an obvious line of persuasion, but suppose you have the whole family to deal with, kids and all, where can you go?
There are several articles on the site which cover destinations which are especially good for families (take a look at ‘related items’) but one way we know to persuade a reluctant parent is to point out the educational possibilities of the destination. Don’t mention it to the kids though, you don’t want to put them off!
One such destination is EUREKA, a one of a kind museum near Halifax. This 4500 square metre structure was opened in 1992 and has already welcomed its four millionth visitor. For details of activities at Eureka over the summer holidays, click here . http://www.eureka.org.uk/events.htm
One reason for Eureka’s popularity is the care taken in its design and construction. Throughout the planning phase, and subsequent development, the ultimate consumer was consulted at every turn to ensure that the galleries would fulfil their stated purpose – to teach children of up to 12 about the world and the way it works and to do it in a ‘hands-on’ fun and entertaining way. As the museum expands and explores new opportunities, children’s ideas and opinions have been sought at every stage. In each case the latest technology has been put to use to ensure that each child’s journey of discovery is stimulating, interactive, and designed to encourage enquiring minds.
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{mosimage} The Galleries
Eureka has four main Galleries with more than 400 interactive activities for children aged 3 to 12: as well as two new galleries especially for children under 5.
Me and My Body is introduced by Scoot, the talking robot, who encourages children to pick up a passport and find out more about the body and the five different senses. Children can step inside a giant mouth to find the wobbly tooth, play pinball digestion and learn how joints and muscles work by riding the skeleton bike. In this gallery, the ‘What if I couldn’t’ section also enables visitors to use various aids to experience what it is like to have a disability.
Living and Working Together recreates a Town Square environment where visitors can discover the mysteries of daily life and try out the jobs people do in the many buildings you would expect to find on any modern high street. Money can be printed, withdrawn or deposited at the Eureka! Bank, the week’s shopping can be selected and paid for in the mini Marks & Spencer food hall, while letters and parcels can be sorted at the Post Office. Children can fill up the car with petrol or change a wheel in the Garage and there is also a House, with every room from the kitchen to the bathroom with its own flush toilet and Jacuzzi, as well as an attic and a magic corridor to explore.
Our Global Garden features Alan Titchmarsh as the voice of Gordon Gnome. Children are invited to follow a fascinating journey from the familiar ‘backyard’ to amazing gardens around the world! Children follow Gordon Gnome around the world learning about the different ‘gardens’, finding out what makes them precious and how best to look after them.
The ‘gardens’ include:
· The Town Garden
· The Country Garden
· The Jungle Garden
· The Ocean Garden
· The Ice Garden
· The Desert Garden
· And finally, to help consolidate all that has been learnt; The Ideas Garden
{mosimage}Sound Space opened in July 2004 and provides children with a truly unique experience, enabling them to explore sound, music and performance through state-of-the-art technology, inspiring them to unlock their creativity. Visitors help Orby – a young visiting alien, understand and enjoy sound and music. Children can explore the physics of sound by seeing and feeling vibrations and creating their very own musical sequences. They will be able to perform live on stage, mix and sample sounds on virtual DJ decks, tour the world in a musical spaceship and experiment with sound and lighting in a futuristic studio. Throughout the experience, SoundSpace aims to enhance the understanding of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) by exploring the unique relationships that exist between music and creativity, science, technology and the arts.
Soundgarden and Desert Discovery
Eureka!’s newest galleries opened early in 2005 and aim to extend opportunities in the museum for babies and young children to develop their senses and stretch their imaginations. Both galleries are especially designed for children under five, and support early education principles of learning through play; reflecting the intentions of the Birth to Three Matters framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum.
Desert Discovery inspires children to explore the natural world and the concepts of night and day through activities set in the desert daytime and a unique interactive ‘desert in the dark’ exhibit. The gallery presents a host of opportunities for role-play and communication – children are invited to dress in hard hats and jackets, collect rocks, build structures and use an innovative ‘bucket lift’ to help to create special desert dwellings. Another feature is the Baby Oasis – a colourful oasis in the desert where tiny babies can play, with a giant peek-a-boo palm and touchy-feely activities to encourage their natural development.
SoundGarden is a vibrant magical garden packed with larger-than-life exhibits and musical activities to encourage creative learning and development. Highlights include butterfly painting using touch-screen technology, dressing up, singing lullaby leaves, an intriguing puzzle pot and a giant magpie’s nest – filled with musical treasures!
This is the sort of visit that gives parents brownie points in the school car park and gets the teachers asking YOU about educational possibilities! The visit isn’t devoid of interest for the pilot either as the nearest airport to Eureka is Leeds Bradford, a ‘proper’ airport which will accept general aviation. Yes, there is a price attached but it’s not THAT high and it will be an experience!
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What You Need to Know
Euerka is open 7 days a week and has frequent weekend Events for parents and children, and if you are frightened of missing the football this summer, Eureka will be showing all England’s games.
Eating
There is a museum cafe which serves hot and cold meals and snacks every day from 9.30am to 4.30pm. An outdoor picnic area, playground and heated railway carriage are also available for visitors wishing to bring their own lunches. In the warmer months (usually March-October) a marquee and Tuck Shop, serving snacks and ice-creams, are available outside the museum.
Access
Eureka! is accessible and suitable for all visitors. For anyone with visual or hearing impairments, there is a full range of multi-sensory exhibits available. Museum information is available in large print and from Talking Maps and there is level access with a lift between floors. A limited number of wheelchairs are available on loan.
Location
Eureka! is in the centre of Halifax next to the railway station, five minutes from junction 24 of M62. It is approximately 12 miles from Leeds Bradford airport.
For more information, contact the museum direct.
Eureka! The Museum for Children
Discovery Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 2NE, UK
Telephone: 01422 330069
E-mail: info@eureka.org.uk
Fax: 01422 330275
You can contact Leeds Bradford Air Traffic Control on 0113 3913282 and look at the Leeds Bradford International Airport web site at
http://www.lbia.co.uk
